Reflections on the future of DSM axis II.

Several proposals are enumerated in this article: (a) the need to employ a coherent classification-guiding theory; (b) the wisdom of conceptualizing personality patterns as prototypes; (c) a proposed shift away from the Axis I-Axis II distinction to a three-part continuum; (d) the utility of specifying relationships among the various classification categories of the nosology; (e) a proposal for refining and differentiating personality disorder subtypes; and (f) the utility of expanding the range and comparability of the diagnostic criteria.