This term refers to specific and deep-seated ways of operating in the world that are maladaptive.  They come from early life experiences that “set” a distorted view of other people, ethics and values, or even one’s self-importance (or lack thereof), so that the individual acts in a way consistent with that distorted view (e.g., disregarding social conventions; being over-dependent ).  They’re ingrained patterns of thinking, so effective change will (usually) require a course of treatment with one of these specialists.