Deceptively thin, but bursting with information, Dr. Duane Dobbert's new book is a winner as a brief but comprehensive reference.

Understanding PDs: An Introduction

Duane Dobbert’s latest provides elaboration and interpretation of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for each disorder as well as information on etiology and course. The Personality Disorders covered include: Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Conduct Disorder, Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Avoidant, Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive.

Engaging From the Start

The Preface offers two case study examples, right off the bat, to help the reader get a realistic feel for what it means to have or to indirectly experience a personality disorder. The first chapter goes on to describe the general category of PDs from a DSM-IV-TR perspective.

What PDs Have in Common

Dobbert also provides his expert opinion on themes that unify the seemingly unrelated disorders of personality, indicating that PDs “have two dominant themes in common. The persons afflicted with these disorders are not mentally ill, and these afflicted persons create unwilling victims”.

What Understanding PDs Is

This new book is an important reference manual in helping the professional and the layperson better understand PDs. Dobbert does two particularly useful things with this book: interprets DSM criteria and presents case study scenarios.

Explanations of DSM Criteria

Dr. Dobbert dissects the DSM-IV-TR criteria for PDs in general and for each individual disorder, helping the reader interpret the lingo-filled criteria that the American Psychological Association (APA) uses to define Personality Disorders.

Case Study Scenarios

He pairs the technical information with scenarios that bring each disorder to life; helpful stories in which we are shown what someone with the disorder might be like, and how the disordered personality interacts with and affects others.

PD Etiology and Course

Dobbert also provides a brief subsection at the end of each chapter in which he comments on the etiology and course of each PD. The word ‘etiology’ relates to the causes or origin of disease; those factors which produce or predispose a person to a specific disease or disorder. ‘Course’ is how the disease progresses and plays out over time.

What Understanding PDs Isn’t

This book is not the place to turn to when looking for stats on disease prevalence or information on treatment options, and this is probably a good thing. Both types of information are ephemeral, new data and discoveries quickly replacing the old. Books describing disease stats and new treatment options are prone to obsolescence.

Since Dobbert’s book emphasizes DSM definitions of PDs, it will be current until there are significant revisions made to the DSM-IV-TR.

Yeah! Or Nay?

Yeah! Own It.

This book is a reference manual with illustrative case studies. If you find that you are frequently looking up information on Personality Disorders, it is worth owning, and, since PDs often travel in groups, an individual can show symptoms of more than one type. It is nice to have one book that covers them all.

Yeah! Get Your Library to Buy It!

Understanding Personality Disorders, is, however, not inexpensive. If you think that the information offered in this book is something that you might only read once, or need to look up occasionally, why not ask your local library to shell out the cash and provide this useful book to your community?

About the Author

Dr. Dobbert has the credentials and chops to deliver a solid reference book on PDs. A 35 year veteran of the criminal justice profession, Dobbert has experience as a clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, and expert witness, and has developed training programs on identification of sexual predators. He is currently a Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.

General Information

• Title: Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction
• Author: Dr. Duane L. Dobbert
• Publisher: Praeger Publications, Westport Ct
• ISBN: ISBN-13 978-0-275-98960-6; ISBN-10 0-275-98960-7
• List Price: $39.95

More Information on PDs

Dr. Dobbert and Praeger Publishing have numerous books available on Personality Disorders and other topics in psychology. You can also quickly find links to the PD subjects you are interested in by visiting Psychology Prof Online or the Suite101 PD Topic Page.

Additional Psychology Book ReviewsSee other Suite101 book reviews, including another excellent psychology read, Asylum: A Mid-Century Madhouse and Its Lessons about Our Mentally Ill Today, by Dr. Enoch Callaway.