Definition
Passive-aggressive personality disorder is a chronic condition in which a person seems to passively comply with the desires and needs of others, but actually passively resists them, becoming increasingly hostile and angry.
Psychiatrists no longer recognize this condition as an official diagnosis. However, the symptoms are problematic to many people and may be helped by professional attention, so we include it here.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The causes are unknown, but, like most personality disorders, a combination of genetic and environmental factors are probably responsible.
Signs and tests
Personality disorders are diagnosed by psychological evaluation and a careful history of the extent and time course of the symptoms. Some of the common signs of passive-aggressive personality disorder include:
- Procrastination
- Intentional inefficiency
- Avoiding responsibility by claiming forgetfulness
- Complaining
- Blaming others
- Resentment
- Sullenness
- Fear of authority
- Resistance to suggestions from others
- Unexpressed anger or hostility
Treatment
Counseling may be of value in helping the person identify and change the behavior.
Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome can be good with treatment.
Complications
- Stunted career development despite good intelligence
- Alcohol abuse or other drug abuse or dependence
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