Covariation of criteria sets for avoidant, schizoid, and dependent personality disorders.

Avoidant personality disorder was a new addition to DSM-III. Reaction to its inclusion was mixed. Critics cited the lack of empirical data and the overlap with schizoid disorder. The authors consider the overlap and covariation among avoidant, schizoid, and dependent symptoms and diagnoses in a sample of 84 inpatients diagnosed by using a semistructured interview. Items for avoidant disorder covaried with criteria for dependent disorder but not with criteria for schizoid disorder. The authors point out the implications of these results for the revision of DSM-III (DSM-III-R).