Personality Disorders
We all have unique personalities composed of different traits. These traits allow us to relate to our environment and reflect on how we see ourselves.
Most personality traits enable people to adapt to the people and environments around them, allowing relationships to grow.
Some people have more rigid personality traits that make adapting to new situations difficult. This stubbornness can lead to patterns and behaviors that go against the norm.
Our personalities are formed early in life and can be shaped by various factors:
- Genetics. Our parents may pass down some personality traits to us, often called our temperament.
- Environment. This encompasses your community, recent events, and your relationships and interactions with family and others.
Personality disorders are complex conditions that are often misunderstood by the public. They affect a person’s self-perception and significantly impact their ability to maintain relationships.
Individuals with personality disorders may experience unstable moods and behaviors in their daily lives, leading to erratic behavior.
There are over ten recognized types of personality disorders, and each one brings its own set of challenges. It’s important to understand that these disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions.
Many people with untreated personality disorders use drugs and alcohol to deal with their symptoms. Providing support and understanding for those dealing with these complex issues can help avoid substance use disorder.
Understanding personality disorders is essential for effective treatment. These disorders are categorized into three clusters: cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C.
These groups are based on the symptoms and how they affect people, which helps decide the best treatment options.
Group A personality disorders involve consistent dysfunctional thinking and behavior, along with a lack of interest in building relationships.
Examples include paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. The following are the symptoms of each:
Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Holding Grudges
- Believing that non-threatening remarks are personal attacks
- Becomes angry with what are perceived as insults
- Believes that others are trying to do harm without any evidence
- A constant belief that their significant other is unfaithful to them
Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Seeming cold or indifferent
- Prefers to be alone
- Shows no pleasure in activities
- Shows little to no emotion
- Unable to pick up on social cues
- Lack of interest in physical intimacy
Pschyziotypal Personality Disorder
- Strong social anxiety
- Has socially unusual emotional responses
- Hold a belief that they can influence events and people with the power of their thoughts
- Believe that ordinary incidents have hidden messages meant only for them.
Cluster B personality disorders are known for their tendency to involve unstable behaviors and intense emotional responses.
This category includes borderline personality disorder (BPD), antisocial personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder
- Forming relationships that are unstable and can be intense
- Dramatic mood swings caused by social stress
- Stress-related paranoia that comes and goes
- Often displays aggression and is angered easily
- Threatening to or participating in self-harm
Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Constantly seeking attention
- Dramatic, overly emotional, and sometimes stirs up sexual feelings for attention
- Aimlessly follows others
- Shallow emotions which are fleeting.
- Overly concerned with physical appearance.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Believes themself to be unique or more important than others
- Fantasises about power, success, and attractiveness
- Regularly taking advantage of others
- Expect praise and admiration from people around them
- Feels superior to others and brags about it
Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Is aggressive and violent
- Is repeatedly entangled with the law
- Has little to no regret for their actions
- Impulsive behaviors
- Has little to no concern for their safety or the safety of others
A consistent pattern of dysfunctional and anxious thinking or behavior describes Group C personality disorders. They include:
Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Sensitive to criticism or rejection
- Does not feel important, attractive, or good enough
- Fears of embarrassment and disapproval
- Often prefers to stay isolated from others
- Does not like to try new activities or meet new people
Dependent Personality Disorder
- Overly clingy or submissive
- Low self-esteem
- Poor personal image of self
- Tolerant of abusive treatment
- Fear of having to be self-sufficient
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
- Difficulty finishing projects because perfection is not possible
- Feels the need to be in control of tasks, situations, and people
- Overly focused on details, orderliness, and rules
- Is extremely rigid
- Cannot throw away broken objects
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is different from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is an anxiety disorder.
People with one personality disorder may also show symptoms of other personality disorders. The number and severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
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Diagnosing Personality Disorders
Personality disorders can be challenging to manage on your own. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, consulting a professional can lead to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Mental health issues are diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5.
To receive a diagnosis of a personality disorder, patients typically need to show three or more symptoms for an extended period.
A complete medical exam may also be necessary to rule out any physical causes of symptoms.
Treatment for Personality Disorders
Psychotherapy is typically the first step in treating personality disorders. There are multiple approaches to this form of treatment.
Before you choose the right type of therapy for your diagnosis, it’s important to find a therapist you feel comfortable with.
Knowing about the different types of therapy mental health professionals offer can help you make an informed decision.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy often utilized in treating people with personality disorders.
In this type of treatment, the therapist helps the patient to change negative thoughts and beliefs using various techniques such as:
- Roleplaying
- Guided Discovery
- Exposure Therapy
- Guided Discovery
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is another helpful treatment for some personality disorders.
DBT therapy focuses on helping the patient understand the trauma or negative experiences they’ve been through. This therapy focuses on the following:
- Practicing mindfulness
- Building skills for emotion regulation
- Learned techniques for tolerating stress
- Improving interpersonal effectiveness
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a technique specifically developed to help motivate ambivalent patients to change their behavior. This form of talk therapy has four processes:
- Engaging: Process by which both the therapist and patient establish a helpful and working relationship.
- Focusing: Designing an agenda to improve one or more goals for change.
- Evoking: Helping the patient find the motivation to make changes and encouraging them to explore their thoughts and feelings about why change is essential and how it can happen.
- Planning: Formulating a plan of action for how to make behavioral changes and making a commitment to it.
The medical treatment of personality disorders is crucial for patients with differences in brain chemistry, structure, and functioning.
Patients with different disorders may need one or more medications. These could include anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, and mood stabilizers, depending on the type and severity of their disorders.
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If you or someone you care about is dealing with issues related to a personality disorder, our passionate team of experts is here to help you find a treatment plan for the long term that enables you to live a balanced and fulfilling life.
At Blue Star Recovery, we are dedicated to helping you find the best path forward. Please contact us to learn more about our dual diagnosis and personality disorder treatment programs.
References:
- Mayo Clinic: Personality Disorders
- National Library of Medicine: Motivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach for Use in Medical Practice
- National Library of Medicine: Personality Disorder
- Harvard Medical School: Dialectical Behavioral Theory: What is it and who can it help?
- American Psychiatric Association: What are Personality Disorders?