passive-aggressive personality disorder

passive-aggressive personality disorder,

a DSM-IV psychiatric disorder characterized by the indirect expression of resistance to occupational or social demands. It results in persistent pervasive ineffectiveness, lack of self-confidence, poor interpersonal relationships, and pessimism that can lead in severe cases to major depression, alcoholism, or drug dependence. The behavior often reflects an unexpressed hostility or resentment stemming from a frustrating interpersonal or institutional relationship on which an individual is overly dependent. Treatment may consist of behavior therapy or any of the various psychotherapeutic procedures, depending on the individual and the severity of the condition.

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passive-aggressive personality disorder

Psychiatry A personality disorder in which the Pt expresses personal conflicts through retroflexed anger in as covert obstructionism, procrastination, stubbornness, inefficiency; ±1% of the population exhibits passive-aggressive or passive-dependent behavior Defenses Turning against oneself–a form of sado-masochism, denial, rationalization, hypochondriasis Prognosis Poor. Cf 'Anal-retentive.'.

Passive-aggressive personality disorder-diagnostic criteria

A A pervasive pattern of negativistic attitudes and passive resistance to demands for adequate performance, beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts, indicated by at least four of the following

 1. Passive resistance to routine social or occupational obligations

 2. Complains of being misunderstood or underappreciated

 3. Complains of personal misfortune

 4. Sullenness or belligerance (argumentative)

 5. Highly critical of authority

 6. Resents or is envious of those perceived as being more fortunate

 7. Alternates between hostile defiance and contrition

B Not accounted for by dysthymic disorder or occurs exclusively during major depressive episodes