A proposed disorder (listed in dsm-iv-tr appendix b, “criteria sets and axes provided for further study”) characterized by a pervasive pattern of negativistic attitudes and passive resistance to others’ expectations of and demands for adequate performance in social and occupational situations. Behavioral tactics include procrastination; postponement of completion of routine tasks; sulkiness, irritability, or argumentativeness if asked to do something he or she does not want to do, and then working unreasonably slowly and inefficiently; and avoidance of obligations by claiming to have forgotten. Also known as negativistic personality disorder.
A personality disorder marked by indirect resistance to demands for adequate occupational or social performance through procrastination, dawdling, stubbornness, inefficiency, or forgetfulness. The disorder begins in early childhood and may manifest itself in refusal to complete routine tasks, complaints of being misunderstood or unappreciated, sullen or argumentative attitude, pronounced envy of others, and behavior that alternates between hostile defiance and contrition.