Which disorder involves a lack of emotional connection and is often difficult to treat?

The disorder characterized by a lack of emotional connection, complexity in interpersonal relationships, and significant challenges in treatment is indeed personality disorder. Individuals with personality disorders often demonstrate pervasive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that diverge from cultural expectations, leading to difficulties in forming and maintaining emotional connections with others. These patterns are typically inflexible and can result in significant distress and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

In personality disorders, emotional responses may be limited or distorted, making it hard for individuals to engage in relationships effectively. This emotional detachment can manifest in various ways depending on the specific type of personality disorder, adding layers of difficulty in the therapeutic process. This complexity often requires specialized treatment approaches that accommodate the unique nuances of such disorders, which can take considerable time and perseverance to address successfully.

Other disorders listed, while they may involve emotional issues, do not primarily focus on the pervasive difficulty in forming emotional connections central to personality disorders. For example, anxiety disorders revolve around excessive fear or worry, conduct disorders pertain to disruptive behaviors, and adjustment disorders relate to difficulty adjusting to stressors or changes. These differences reflect the distinct nature of personality disorders, verifying the accuracy of the answer.