Which of the following is NOT one of the four defining features of personality disorders?

In the context of personality disorders, the defining features encompass patterns of behavior, thinking, and emotional experiences that significantly diverge from cultural expectations and lead to functional impairment. These features include interpersonal difficulties, emotional responses, and impulse control issues.

Interpersonal difficulties refer to the persistent patterns in how individuals relate to others, which can be maladaptive and cause problems in personal, social, and occupational functioning. Emotional responses are crucial as they pertain to how individuals experience and express emotions, creating considerable instability in relationships and coping mechanisms. Impulse control is another key aspect, illustrating how individuals with personality disorders may struggle to regulate their behaviors and impulses, often leading to reckless decisions.

Substance dependence, in contrast, is classified separately from personality disorders. While co-occurring substance use issues can be observed in individuals with personality disorders, substance dependence itself is not a defining feature of these disorders. This distinction emphasizes the difference between personality pathology and substance-related issues, underlining that personality disorders are defined more by pervasive and enduring patterns of behavior rather than by specific behaviors like substance use.