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Personality Disorders

15 January 2024

Personality disorders are mental health conditions marked by consistent patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that differ from societal norms and cause significant distress or interfere with daily life. 

What are the types of Personality Disorders?

These disorders are categorized into three clusters:

  1. Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric): Includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.

  2. Cluster B (Dramatic or Erratic): Includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders.

  3. Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful): Includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

The classification below is defined briefly and generally in terms of the most commonly observed behavioral patterns according to DSM (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). However, some character traits can be seen in more than one personality disorder and it should be evaluated by a mental health specialist within the person's own personal history and behavior, and therefore may show some differences.

Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric)

  1. Paranoid Personality Disorder

    • A pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, believing that others have malicious intentions even without evidence.

  2. Schizoid Personality Disorder

    • A pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression.

  3. Schizotypal Personality Disorder

    • A pattern of eccentric behavior, odd beliefs or magical thinking, and social anxiety.

Cluster B (Dramatic or Erratic)

  1. Antisocial Personality Disorder

    • A disregard for the rights of others, lack of empathy, and often a history of violating laws or social norms.

  2. Borderline Personality Disorder

    • A pattern of unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, with intense mood swings, fear of abandonment, and impulsive behavior.

  3. Histrionic Personality Disorder

    • A pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior, with discomfort when not the center of attention.

  4. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

    • A grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.

Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful)

  1. Avoidant Personality Disorder

    • A pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism.

  2. Dependent Personality Disorder

    • A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clingy behavior.

  3. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

    • A preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, with an over-focus on rules and details.

Myths and Facts

There are some common myths about personality disorders:

Myth: People with personality disorders are dangerous or violent.
Fact: While some personality disorders may involve impulsive or aggressive behaviors, most individuals with PDs are not violent. The majority manage their symptoms and live relatively stable lives.

Myth: Personality disorders are untreatable.
Fact: Personality disorders are treatable. Therapy, especially forms like transference focused psychotherapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help individuals manage symptoms and improve functioning.

Myth: Personality disorders are just "bad" personality traits.
Fact: Personality disorders are complex mental health conditions, not just personality flaws. They often develop due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and they can significantly affect one's ability to relate to others.

Myth: People with personality disorders can't change.
Fact: With appropriate treatment and support, many individuals with personality disorders can make significant improvements in their behavior and relationships.

Myth: Only extreme cases of PD require treatment.
Fact: Even individuals with milder symptoms of a personality disorder can benefit from therapy and intervention, as early treatment can prevent worsening of symptoms.

Myth: Personality disorders are only diagnosed in adulthood.
Fact: Personality disorders often have early signs in adolescence or early adulthood. Early intervention can help manage symptoms before they worsen over time.

Understanding these myths can help reduce stigma and lead to more compassionate care and support for those affected.

 

 

References:

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  2. Bilder, R. M., et al. (2022). Shared genetic factors between schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia: A neuroimaging study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 48(5), 1126-1136.

  3. Blair, R. J. R., et al. (2023). Neural mechanisms associated with antisocial behavior and the development of antisocial personality disorder. Neuroscientific Review, 47(2), 245-257.

  4. Fineberg, N. A., et al. (2023). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 84(1), 58-65.

  5. Fox, E., et al. (2023). Neurobiological mechanisms underlying the fear of social rejection in avoidant personality disorder. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 18(7), 897-905.

  6. Iacoboni, M., et al. (2024). Social cognition and the medial prefrontal cortex: Implications for schizoid personality disorder. Brain Research Bulletin, 154, 23-29.

  7. Krueger, R. F., et al. (2023). The Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders: A dimensional approach to diagnosis. Psychological Assessment, 35(1), 14-22.

  8. Miller, L., et al. (2023). The role of childhood trauma in the development of paranoid personality traits. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 36(2), 123-135.

  9. Pincus, H. A., et al. (2024). Neurobiological underpinnings of histrionic personality disorder: Dopamine and emotional processing. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 15(1), 56-63.

  10. Seligman, M., et al. (2024). Attachment theory and dependent personality disorder: A neurobiological perspective. Journal of Personality Disorders, 38(4), 442-458.

  11. Wright, A. G. C., & Foster, C. (2023). Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A neuroimaging perspective on reward and empathy. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 304, 111176.