Which of the following best describes the distinctive features used to identify the three clusters of personality disorders in the DSM-5?

• A. Severity of symptoms, duration of illness, and response to treatment
• B. Patterns of behavior grouped as odd/eccentric, dramatic/emotional, and anxious/fearful
• C. Presence of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech
• D. Levels of intelligence, memory impairment, and language deficits

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the DSM-5 categorizes personality disorders into three clusters based on distinctive patterns of behavior and traits rather than symptom severity or cognitive impairments.
2. Recall that Cluster A includes personality disorders characterized by odd or eccentric behaviors, such as paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.
3. Recognize that Cluster B involves dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors, including antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders.
4. Identify that Cluster C consists of anxious or fearful behaviors, which cover avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.
5. Conclude that the best description of the clusters is the grouping of personality disorders by patterns of behavior: odd/eccentric, dramatic/emotional, and anxious/fearful.