Which type of disorder is defined by pervasive personality traits present since adolescence?

Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate from the expectations of the individual’s culture. These patterns are pervasive and inflexible, beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, and can significantly affect various areas of functioning, including interpersonal relationships and one’s sense of self.

This definition aligns perfectly with the characteristics of personality disorders, distinguishing them from other types of mental health disorders. While mood disorders primarily involve disturbances in emotional regulation, psychotic disorders are marked by symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations, and adjustment disorders are typically a response to a specific stressor or life change, lacking the pervasive nature that is a hallmark of personality disorders. Thus, the defining elements of personality disorders—long-standing traits present since adolescence—make this choice the appropriate one.