Personality Disorders
(Diseases)
On this page, you will find everything you need to know about Personality Disorders.
What are Personality Disorders?
- Personality disorders are patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that make a person different from others. A person’s personality is influenced by experiences, the surrounding environment, and inherited traits. A person’s personality usually remains the same over time. People with a personality disorder often show more rigid thinking and maladaptive behaviors that make it difficult for them to adapt to situations. These behaviors often disrupt their personal, professional, and social lives.
- Types of Personality Disorders:
- Antisocial Personality Disorder: A pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder: A pattern of extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism.
- Borderline Personality Disorder: A pattern of instability in personal relationships, intense emotions, poor self-image, and impulsivity.
- Dependent Personality Disorder: A pattern of needing to be cared for and being unable to make decisions in life.
- Histrionic Personality Disorder: A pattern of excessive emotion and attention-seeking; individuals feel uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A pattern of needing admiration and lacking empathy for others.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: A pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.
- Paranoid Personality Disorder: People with this disorder are often cold, distant, and unable to form close personal relationships due to mistrust of others and viewing them as spiteful.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: People with this disorder are often cold, distant, introverted, and have a strong fear of intimacy and closeness.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: A pattern of extreme discomfort in close relationships, distorted thinking, and eccentric behavior. A person with schizotypal personality disorder may have odd beliefs, strange behavior, unusual speech, or excessive social anxiety.
- What are the symptoms of Personality Disorders?
- Symptoms vary depending on the type of personality disorder. For example:
- A person with borderline personality disorder, the most common type, tends to have distorted ways of thinking, impulsive behavior, and problems controlling emotions.
A person with antisocial personality disorder usually gets frustrated easily and struggles with anger control. They may blame others for problems in their life, be aggressive and violent, and disturb others with their behavior.
Other mental health issues, such as depression.
What are the causes of Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are often caused by a combination of the genes and early environmental influences.
What are the diagnostic methods?
The doctor will take the medical history and perform a physical examination, and may also order additional procedures as needed. Diagnosis is only made after ensuring that the person does not have any physical illnesses, substance abuse, medication side effects, or other mental health conditions, and that the disorder has significantly affected the person’s life and normal functioning.
- What are the treatment methods for Personality Disorders?
- Treatment involves several procedures as needed and may include the following:
Cognitive behavioral therapy.
Medications, such as antidepressants.
What are the preventive methods for Personality Disorders?
There is no known way to prevent personality disorders.
What are the complications of Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders may affect a person’s quality of life, leading to problems, mental illnesses, and social difficulties.
When should you see a doctor?
If you notice that your quality of life has been affected due to certain personal behaviors or emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions:
