ABSTRACT
In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) published the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III; APA, 1980), introducing a multiaxial classification system. Axis II of this new manual was devoted primarily to personality dysfunction, because of the considerable prevalence of maladaptive personality traits in general clinical practice and the substantial impact of these traits on the course and treatment of other mental disorders (Frances, 1980).
