20 Personality Disorder Statistics for 2025

Personality disorders are some of the most complex and deeply rooted mental health conditions. They involve enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate from cultural expectations and cause significant distress or impairment in daily life.

While each disorder has distinct features, all are marked by long-standing traits that affect relationships, work, and a person’s overall well-being. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) groups these conditions into three clusters:

• Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behavior (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal personality disorders)
• Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior (antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders)
• Cluster C: Anxious or fearful behavior (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive personality disorders)

These disorders often co-occur with depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use — and frequently go undiagnosed or undertreated. For this reason, personality disorders are a major area of focus in continuing education courses, to help providers stay current with evolving approaches to diagnosis and care.

We’ve compiled 20 personality disorder statistics that offer a data-driven view of these challenging conditions in 2025 — shedding light on prevalence rates, treatment access, and the significant risks they pose when left unaddressed.

Personality Disorder Statistics – Prevalence

1. 9.1% of U.S. adults have a personality disorder (source)

Roughly 1 in 11 Americans aged 18 and older meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one personality disorder. That’s higher than the global prevalence of 7.8%.

These often go hand-in-hand with other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety disorders. This is called comorbidity. The biggest impact of personality disorders might be how they make other conditions worse, rather than causing severe problems on their own.

2. OCPD is the most common personality disorder, diagnosable in 4.32% of the general population (source)

Pooled data from nearly 114,000 individuals across 10 studies in Western countries revealed that obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) was the most prevalent specific PD.

OCPD is different from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and it is characterized by preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.

Here’s a breakdown of the prevalence of personality disorders in the general population. Note that prevalence rates can vary significantly depending on the study. Sources include the National Library of Medicine, Cambridge University Press, and MSD Manual.

3. Borderline personality disorder is the most prevalent PD among patients in medical settings (source)

While OCPD is the most prevalent personality disorder in the general population, BPD is the most common among inpatients, affecting an estimated 28.5%. Approximately one in five patients have at least one personality disorder.

According to borderline personality disorder statistics, the disorder affects 1.4% of the general population. It’s characterized by instability in relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulsive behavior.

Other PDs prevalent among inpatients are avoidant (24.6%), dependent (15%), and OCPD (10.5%).

4. In the U.S., Cluster C personality disorders are most common, affecting an estimated 6% of the adult population (source)

This is followed closely by Cluster A personality disorders at 5.7% and Cluster B at 1.5%. While Cluster B disorders like BPD, antisocial, and narcissistic personality disorders often receive more public attention, data suggests that the more anxious, socially avoidant patterns in Cluster C are actually more widespread.

5. About 5% of the global population has a Cluster C personality disorder (source)

Global personality disorder statistics reveal that Cluster C disorders are also the most common worldwide but affect a smaller proportion of the adult population than in the United States. Also similar to in the U.S., Cluster A disorders are the second-most common, although the rate is significantly lower at 3.8%. Meanwhile, Cluster B personality disorders are also the least common worldwide at 2.8%. However, global rates of Cluster B disorders are nearly double than in the U.S.

6. Nearly 1 in 4 psychiatric outpatients have a Cluster B personality disorder (source)

Globally, an average of 23.2% of psychiatric outpatients meet the criteria for a Cluster B personality disorder, even though disorders in this cluster are the least common in the general population. Cluster B is linked to increased rates of suicide, substance misuse, and relapse. Despite its impact on prognosis and functioning, Cluster B PDs are often overlooked by clinicians, especially in lower-resource settings.

7. Personality disorder prevalence is notably higher in high-income countries (9.6%) than in low- and middle-income countries (4.3%) (source)

However, these figures should be interpreted cautiously due to variations in study design and diagnostic methods. Researchers emphasize the need for more standardized global studies to better understand the scope of personality disorders and guide public health efforts.

Personality Disorder Statistics – Comorbidity, Mortality Risk, and Treatment

8. More than 2 in 3 American adults with a personality disorder have at least 1 comorbid mental health condition (source)

Comorbidity is common with personality disorders. An estimated 67% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older who meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one personality disorder also have at least one other mental health disorder. More than half also have anxiety at 52.4%, followed by mood disorders (24.1%), impulse control disorders (23.2%), and substance abuse disorders (22.6%).

9. 45.2% of male combat veterans with PTSD and depression had at least 1 personality disorder (source)

In a study of 115 male combat veterans with DSM-IV post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, 52 had the diagnostic criteria for one or more personality disorders.

The most common comorbid PDs were:

• Paranoid personality disorder: 17.4%
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: 16.5%
• Avoidant personality disorder: 12.2%
• Borderline personality disorder: 8.7%

Similarly, 111 primary care patients with PTSD showed elevated rates of paranoid, avoidant, and dependent personality disorders.

10. People with full and partial PTSD are significantly more likely to have schizotypal, narcissistic, and borderline personality disorders (source) 

After adjustment for other factors, study participants with full PTSD were 2.1 to 2.5 times more likely to have borderline, schizotypal, and narcissistic personality disorders. Additionally, participants with partial PTSD were twice as likely to have BPD, 1.8 times as likely to have schizotypal PD, and 1.6 times as likely to have narcissistic PD.

Meanwhile, women with full PTSD were more likely than men to have OCPD, and women with partial PTSD were more likely to have antisocial personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder.

11. Patients with depressive disorders are nearly 4 times more likely to have a Cluster B PD than schizophrenia patients (source)

Outpatients diagnosed with depressive disorders were 3.72 times more likely to have a Cluster B personality disorder. Meanwhile, those with bipolar I disorder had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 2.94, meaning nearly 3x greater odds of having a Cluster B PD.

This highlights a significant overlap between mood disorders and personality pathology, reinforcing the need for integrated screening. Comorbidity was also associated with earlier onset, more suicide attempts, more hospitalizations, and poorer treatment outcomes.

12. People with Cluster B personality disorders are significantly more likely to use substances (source)

Cluster B personality disorder statistics show a strong association with recent cannabis use. Affected outpatients were 4.38 times more likely to screen positive for cannabis. Use of any substance before age 17 carried a similar risk (AOR=4.42).

Alcohol use nearly tripled the likelihood (AOR=2.86). These following findings support a link between Cluster B traits — like impulsivity and emotional dysregulation — and substance use disorders.

13. Life expectancy for people with PDs who use mental health services is reduced by 17.7 years for men and 18.7 years for women (source)

In a study of 1,836 patients diagnosed with a personality disorder in secondary mental health care, life expectancy at birth was 59.1 years for men and 63.3 years for women, compared to 76.8 years and 82 years in the general population. This reflects a 23.05% decrease for men and a 22.8% decrease for women.

The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) — a measure of observed deaths compared to expected deaths in the general population — was 4.2 overall, meaning patients with personality disorders were more than four times as likely to die during the study period than expected. The SMR was 3.5 for men and 5.0 for women, with the highest excess mortality observed in younger patients of both genders.

14. Cluster B personality disorders are particularly common among outpatients who have attempted suicide (source)

Patients with a history of suicide attempts had a 2.24 times higher likelihood of having a Cluster B disorder. These disorders are well-documented for their strong associations with self-harm, impulsivity, and recurrent suicidality, often making them some of the most clinically challenging diagnoses to manage.

15. Patients with Cluster B PDs are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, attempt suicide, and attempt homicide (source)

Approximately 47% of psychiatric outpatients with Cluster B personality disorders reported a history of passive suicidal ideation, with 33.9% having experienced active suicidal thoughts and 16% having attempted suicide. Meanwhile, 12.5% had attempted homicide.

16. Only 39% of American adults with a personality disorder are receiving treatment (source)

A significant majority of U.S. adults with a personality disorder, 61%, are not receiving treatment for their condition.

Personality Disorder Statistics – Causes and Contributing Factors

17. Childhood verbal abuse from the mother triples the risk of borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders (source)

Maternal verbal abuse increases the likelihood of developing certain personality disorders in adolescence and early adulthood. In a study of nearly 800 mothers and their children, occurrences of borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder increased by more than 300%. Rates of schizotypal and schizoid personality disorder symptoms were also elevated.

Other factors including the temperament of the child, physical and sexual abuse, physical punishment, neglect, and co-morbid psychiatric disorders were accounted for.

18. Illiteracy and unemployment are linked to Cluster B personality disorders (source)

Meanwhile, outpatients who were unable to read or write were 3.28 times as likely to be diagnosed with a Cluster B PD compared to those with a college education or higher.

Affected patients were also more than twice as likely to be unemployed (AOR=2.32). These connections point to strong socio-demographic influences and suggest that limited education and economic hardship may exacerbate the expression or detection of these disorders.

19. Genetics and family history account for around 50% of all personality disorder cases (source)

People with certain genetic traits may be more likely to develop personality disorders, while stressful life experiences or environmental factors can also be triggers. For example, one study found that outpatients with a family history of mental illness were twice as likely (AOR=2.05) to have a Cluster B disorder.

20. Nearly 45% of outpatients with Cluster B personality disorders have poor social support (source)

Poor social support is both a risk factor and a consequence of personality dysfunction. Strengthening community and family-based support systems could improve outcomes for patients and reduce hospital readmissions or relapse.

What These Personality Disorder Statistics Reveal

These personality disorder statistics paint a complex, often sobering picture of these challenging conditions in 2025:

• Far more common than many realize: Nearly 1 in 11 U.S. adults meet the criteria for a personality disorder — and rates are even higher in clinical and medical settings.
• Cluster C disorders are most prevalent: While the more dramatic and antagonistic behaviors surrounding Cluster B disorders often get more attention, the avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive traits of Cluster C are far more prevalent.
• Strong overlap with other mental health conditions: Many individuals with a personality disorder have more than one — along with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or a substance use disorder — complicating diagnosis and treatment.
• Functional impairment can be severe: Increased risk of suicide, unemployment, social isolation, and reduced life expectancy are all linked to these personality disorder diagnoses.
• Early trauma and chronic stress are common roots: Emotional neglect, abuse, and systemic adversity frequently appear in the background — underscoring the value of trauma-informed care.
• Treatment works — when it’s accessible: Psychotherapy approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mentalization-based therapy (MBT) have shown strong results in reducing distress and improving daily functioning. Yet 61% of affected individuals remain untreated.
• Access, awareness, and training remain critical gaps: Many people living with personality disorders don’t receive appropriate support from family members or healthcare providers — often due to stigma, misdiagnosis, or lack of trained professionals.

How eCare Behavioral Institute Can Help

At eCare Behavioral Institute, we’re committed to equipping mental health professionals with the tools, skills, and insights needed to support clients with complex conditions like personality disorders.

Our online continuing education courses offer:

• Practical training in evidence-based approaches such as DBT, CBT, and trauma-informed care.
• Specialized workshops on assessing and treating specific types of personality disorders.
• Flexible, accredited online learning for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other licensed professionals.

Explore our full course catalog to deepen your knowledge, enhance your clinical impact, and stay current on best practices in personality disorder treatment.