What are the main clusters of personality disorders?

• A. Cluster X, Y, Z.
• B. Cluster A (odd/eccentric), Cluster B (dramatic/erratic), Cluster C (anxious/fearful).
• C. Cluster 1, 2, 3.
• D. Cluster I, II, III.

Answer: (B)

Grouping personality disorders by shared patterns in thinking, feeling, and relating to others is the main idea here. The three clusters describe how these disorders tend to present overall: odd or eccentric behavior, dramatic or erratic behavior, and anxious or fearful behavior.

The best answer reflects these standard categories: one cluster labeled as odd/eccentric, another as dramatic/erratic, and a third as anxious/fearful. In practice, this means disorders like paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal fall into the odd/eccentric group; antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic fall into the dramatic/erratic group; and avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive fall into the anxious/fearful group. This framing helps clinicians anticipate patterns of functioning and potential comorbidities, and it aligns with how these disorders are taught and discussed in standard guidelines.

The other labels presented don’t match the DSM-style organization (using X, Y, Z; or 1–3; or I–III), so they don’t accurately reflect how personality disorders are grouped in practice.