Personality disorders in homeless drop-in center clients

J Pers Disord. 2008 Dec;22(6):573-88. doi: 10.1521/pedi.2008.22.6.573.

Abstract

Sixty homeless clients at two drop-in centers in different boroughs in New York City were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and II disorders and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Very high rates of all personality disorders were found for Cluster A (73% paranoid, 65% schizoid, 43% schizotypal), B (57% antisocial, 62% borderline, 20% histrionic, 57% narcissistic) and C (50% avoidant, 25% dependent, 57% obsessive compulsive). Axis I mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders were each diagnosed in over half the sample. At least one Cluster A disorder was diagnosed in 92% of the sample, and these disorders were distinguished from Axis I psychotic disorders (20%) with regard to prevalence, patterns of association, and constellation of symptoms. Cluster A disorders were not associated with any Axis I disorder, suggesting diagnostic independence in this sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / epidemiology