Personality Disorder Clusters
In the DSM, PDs are grouped into 3 clusters. These have no real clinical meaning, they're just an easy way to group them. The DSM-5-TR states:
It should be noted that this clustering system, although useful in some research and educational situations, has serious limitations and has not been consistently validated. For instance, two or more disorders from different clusters, or traits from several of them, can often co-occur and vary in intensity and pervasiveness.
Cluster A
Cluster A includes the "odd or eccentric" PDs.
- Paranoid: "a pattern of distrust and suspiciousness such that others’ motives are interpreted as malevolent."
- Schizotypal: "a pattern of acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentricities of behavior."
- Schizoid: "a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression."
Cluster B
Cluster B includes the most well-known PDs, which are "dramatic, emotional or erratic".
- Antisocial: "a pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others, criminality, impulsivity, and a failure to learn from experience."
- Borderline: "a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity."
- Histrionic: "a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking."
- Narcissistic: "a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy."
Cluster C
Cluster C includes the "anxious or fearful" PDs.
- Avoidant: "a pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation."
- Dependent: "a pattern of submissive and clinging behavior related to an excessive need to be taken care of."
- Obsessive-Compulsive: "a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control."
These are not all of the personality disorders; see Other Personality Disorders and the ICD-11 model.