A family history method for DSM-III anxiety and personality disorders.

A family history method for DSM-III anxiety and personality disorders (FHPD) was validated by direct interview of 182 relatives. The categories of "any anxiety disorder," "panic disorder," and "any personality disorder" achieved sensitivities and specificities equivalent to currently accepted psychiatric family history methods. The family history results for the DSM-III dramatic and anxious personality disorder clusters showed good specificities, but only fair sensitivities. It is possible these cluster sensitivities could be improved in the future by using less stringent criteria. The FHPD is designed so that it can easily be integrated into the Family History-Research Diagnostic Criteria format and scoring.