Personality Disorder Test
Assess your personality traits with our comprehensive, research-based personality disorder screening tool designed to help identify potential signs of personality disorders.
Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate significantly from cultural expectations, causing distress or impairment. Our scientifically-designed assessment evaluates traits associated with the 10 personality disorders recognized in clinical psychology.
Unlike many simplified online quizzes, our assessment is based on contemporary psychological research and diagnostic criteria used by mental health professionals. The test evaluates specific traits across different personality disorder clusters recognized in clinical practice.
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Get a comprehensive analysis of your personality traits and understand potential areas of concern. No email required, completely free.
Test Overview
- Questions: 50
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Result Type: Detailed Report
- Shareable: Yes
- Email Required: No
- Price: Free
What You'll Learn From This Test
Personality Trait Assessment
Receive a comprehensive evaluation of your personality traits across multiple dimensions, identifying potential areas of concern related to personality functioning.
Disorder Cluster Analysis
Understand your personality patterns in relation to the three main clusters of personality disorders recognized in clinical psychology (Clusters A, B, and C).
Self-Awareness Insights
Gain deeper understanding of your personality strengths and potential challenges, providing a foundation for personal growth and improved self-management.
Support Resources
Receive targeted information about mental health resources and self-help strategies based on your specific personality profile and potential areas of concern.
Understanding Personality Disorders
Personality disorders affect approximately 9.1% of the general population. These conditions are characterized by enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate markedly from the expectations of an individual's culture, causing distress or impairment.
According to the current psychological understanding, personality disorders are grouped into three main clusters:
Prevalence of Personality Disorders
Data source: Epidemiological studies published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2022)
Characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior. Individuals may display patterns of social detachment and discomfort with close relationships.
- Paranoid: Pervasive distrust and suspiciousness
- Schizoid: Limited emotional expression and social detachment
- Schizotypal: Eccentricity, magical thinking, and social anxiety
Characterized by dramatic, overly emotional, or unpredictable thinking or behavior. Individuals may struggle with impulse control and emotional regulation.
- Antisocial: Disregard for others' rights, lack of empathy
- Borderline: Instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions
- Histrionic: Attention-seeking and excessive emotionality
- Narcissistic: Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy
Characterized by anxious or fearful thinking or behavior. Individuals may exhibit persistent patterns of fear and anxiety in various contexts.
- Avoidant: Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy
- Dependent: Excessive need to be taken care of, submissive behavior
- Obsessive-Compulsive: Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control
Clinical Assessment vs. Online Tests
Understanding the differences between clinical diagnoses and online screenings is crucial for interpreting test results appropriately:
| Aspect | Clinical Assessment | Online Test (Like Ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, etc.) | Self-administered through online platform |
| Duration | Multiple sessions, often hours of evaluation | 15-20 minutes |
| Methods | Clinical interviews, standardized tests, observation, medical history, collateral information | Self-report questionnaire based on trait indicators |
| Depth | Comprehensive evaluation of life history, relationships, work functioning, etc. | Limited to specific trait questions based on self-perception |
| Purpose | Diagnosis, treatment planning, prognosis | Educational screening, self-awareness, potential referral guidance |
| Validity | High validity when conducted by trained professionals | Moderate validity as a screening tool only |
| Outcome | Clinical diagnosis, treatment recommendations | General feedback on personality traits, educational information |
Test Development and Methodology
Our Personality Disorder Test was developed based on rigorous psychological research and clinical criteria used in mental health assessment. Here's how we created this scientifically-informed screening tool:
Research Foundation
The test questions are based on established diagnostic criteria for personality disorders, including:
- Diagnostic criteria from major clinical resources
- Research on personality trait dimensions
- Studies on the manifestation of personality disorders in various contexts
- Current understanding of personality disorder assessment methods
Trait Assessment
Our test evaluates traits across multiple dimensions that are relevant to personality disorder assessment:
- Interpersonal functioning: How you relate to others
- Emotional regulation: How you experience and manage emotions
- Impulse control: How you manage urges and desires
- Perception patterns: How you view yourself and others
- Cognitive patterns: How you think and process information
Scoring Methodology
The test utilizes a multi-dimensional scoring approach:
- Questions are weighted based on their clinical significance
- Responses are analyzed across multiple trait dimensions
- Results are compared to normative data
- Trait patterns are evaluated for cluster associations
- Validity indicators help identify inconsistent responding
Validation Process
While not a diagnostic tool, our test has been refined through:
- Review by mental health professionals
- Comparison with established personality assessments
- Iterative testing with diverse populations
- Feedback from users and mental health educators
- Ongoing updates based on current research
How The Test Works
Our personality disorder assessment follows a clear, user-friendly process to provide you with valuable insights:
Answer 50 Carefully Crafted Questions
You'll respond to 50 questions designed to assess various aspects of your personality functioning. Each question relates to specific traits associated with personality patterns examined in clinical settings. These questions evaluate your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and interpersonal patterns.
Example Question: "I often feel empty inside and struggle to understand who I really am as a person."
Advanced Algorithm Analyzes Your Responses
Our scientifically-developed algorithm analyzes your response patterns across multiple dimensions. The analysis evaluates trait intensities, identifies significant patterns, and compares your responses to established trait profiles. This process uses a weighted scoring system to provide nuanced insights.
Receive Your Comprehensive Results
Immediately after completing the test, you'll receive a detailed personality profile that includes:
- Overview of your personality trait patterns
- Analysis of potential personality disorder indicators
- Breakdown of your scores across different trait dimensions
- Comparison to general population averages
- Educational information about personality functioning
Explore Resources and Next Steps
Based on your results, we provide tailored resources and guidance:
- Educational materials about specific personality patterns
- Self-help strategies for managing challenging traits
- Information about when to consider professional help
- Options to share or save your results for future reference
What Our Users Say
"This test helped me understand patterns in my behavior I've been struggling with for years. It gave me the confidence to finally reach out to a therapist, who later confirmed some of the traits identified."
"Much more comprehensive than other online tests I've tried. The detailed breakdown of different personality traits was eye-opening and helped me understand why I react strongly in certain situations."
"I appreciated how the test distinguished between normal personality variations and potential disorder traits. The educational information provided really helped me put the results in perspective."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this test a diagnostic tool?
No. This test is designed for educational purposes only and cannot diagnose personality disorders. Only qualified mental health professionals can provide a proper diagnosis through comprehensive clinical assessment. Our test offers insights into personality traits that may warrant further investigation with a mental health professional.
How accurate is this personality disorder test?
While our test is based on scientific research and clinical criteria, it has limitations as a self-report measure. Accuracy depends on your self-awareness and honesty in answering questions. The test provides useful insights but should be considered a preliminary screening tool, not a definitive assessment. Research suggests online personality screenings have moderate correlation with clinical assessments but cannot replace professional evaluation.
How does this test differ from the MMPI or other clinical assessments?
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and other clinical assessments are comprehensive, validated diagnostic tools administered and interpreted by trained professionals. They contain hundreds of questions, validity scales, and require professional interpretation. Our test is a brief, accessible screening tool based on similar psychological concepts but designed for educational purposes rather than clinical diagnosis. It provides general insights rather than the detailed clinical analysis of professional assessments.
What should I do if my results suggest a potential personality disorder?
If your results indicate elevated traits associated with personality disorders, we recommend consulting a mental health professional for a proper assessment. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed therapist can provide a clinical evaluation, accurate diagnosis if warranted, and appropriate treatment recommendations. Remember that having some traits associated with personality disorders doesn't necessarily mean you have a disorder—many people have these traits to varying degrees without meeting full diagnostic criteria.
Is my data kept private?
Yes. We prioritize your privacy. Your test responses and results are not stored on our servers unless you explicitly choose to save them with an account. We do not require personal information like your email address to take the test or receive results. Any anonymous data used for research purposes is aggregated and cannot be traced back to individual users. Please see our Privacy Policy for more details.
Expert Contributors
Our personality disorder test was developed in consultation with mental health professionals and researchers specializing in personality assessment:
Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, Personality Assessment Specialist
Dr. Mitchell specializes in personality disorder assessment and treatment. She has contributed to the development of our test methodology and trait evaluation criteria.
Dr. James Wilson, Psy.D.
Psychological Testing Expert
Dr. Wilson has extensive experience in psychological assessment and test development. He has provided guidance on test structure, scoring algorithms, and interpretation frameworks.
Take the Personality Disorder Test
The test consists of 50 questions and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Answer each question honestly for the most accurate results.
Sources and References
This test and the accompanying information are based on the following professional resources:
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., Text Revision).
- World Health Organization. (2022). International Classification of Diseases (11th ed.).
- Widiger, T. A., & Simonsen, E. (2005). Alternative dimensional models of personality disorder: Finding a common ground. Journal of Personality Disorders, 19(2), 110-130.
- Krueger, R. F., & Markon, K. E. (2014). The role of the DSM-5 personality trait model in moving toward a quantitative and empirically based approach to classifying personality and psychopathology. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 10, 477-501.
- Skodol, A. E., Morey, L. C., Bender, D. S., & Oldham, J. M. (2015). The alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders: A clinical application. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(7), 606-613.