Avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders belong to which cluster?

• A. Cluster A
• B. Cluster C
• C. Cluster B
• D. Not a cluster

Answer: (B)

These disorders share a pattern of anxiety and fearfulness rather than dramatic, erratic, or odd/eccentric behavior. Avoidant personality disorder involves social inhibition and sensitivity to rejection, dependent personality disorder centers on a pervasive need to be cared for and submission to others, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder features a strong focus on order, perfectionism, and control. Together, they fit the anxious-fearful group often labeled as cluster C.

In contrast, the other clusters group different patterns: one cluster includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal—odd or eccentric traits; another cluster includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic—dramatic or unstable, emotionally charged patterns.