Comparison of the Passive-Aggressive Style and Disorder


Personality Style

Personality Disorder

Fulfill their given responsibilities
Resist fulfilling their given responsibilities through procrastinating, "forgetting," sulking, or being argumentative
Cannot be exploited, but can comfortably resist unreasonable demands
Protest, without justification, that unreasonable demands are being placed on them
Are relaxed about time, are Type B
Seem to work deliberately slowly or to do a bad job on tasks that they do not really want to do
Are cooperative with others, and comfortable with groups and family members
Obstruct the efforts of others and fail to do their share; are uncooperative
Are not overawed by authority
Resent useful suggestions from others concerning how they might be more productive

Source: Handbook of Diagnosis and Treatment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders, by Len Sperry, M.D., Ph.D.