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Personality refers to a distinctive set of traits, behavior
styles, and patterns that make up our character or individuality.
How we perceive the world, our attitudes, thoughts, and feelings
are all part of our personality. People with healthy personalities
are able to cope with normal stresses and have no trouble forming
relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.
What is a Personality
Disorder?
Those who struggle with a personality disorder have great
difficulty dealing with other people. They tend to be inflexible,
rigid, and unable to respond to the changes and demands of life.
Although they feel that their behavior patterns are �normal� or
�right,� people with personality disorders tend to have a narrow
view of the world and find it difficult to participate in social
activities.
Recognizing a Personality
Disorder
A personality disorder must fulfill several criteria. A deeply
ingrained, inflexible pattern of relating, perceiving, and thinking
serious enough to cause distress or impaired functioning is a
personality disorder. Personality disorders are usually
recognizable by adolescence or earlier, continue throughout
adulthood, and become less obvious throughout middle age.
What Causes a Personality
Disorder?
Some experts believe that events occurring in early childhood
exert a powerful influence upon behavior later in life. Others
indicate that people are genetically predisposed to personality
disorders. In some cases, however, environmental facts may cause a
person who is already genetically vulnerable to develop a
personality disorder.
Types of Personality Disorders
There are many formally identified personality disorders, each
with their own set of behaviors and symptoms. Many of these fall
into three different categories or clusters:
- Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behavior
- Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior
- Cluster C: Anxious fearful behavior
Since there are too many identified types of personality
disorders to explain in this context, we will only review a few in
each cluster.
Cluster A:
- Schizoid Personality Disorder Schizoid personalities are
introverted, withdrawn, solitary, emotionally cold, and distant.
They are often absorbed with their own thoughts and feelings and
are fearful of closeness and intimacy with others. For example, a
person suffering from schizoid personality is more of a daydreamer
than a practical action taker
- Paranoid Personality Disorder The essential feature for this
type of personality disorder is interpreting the actions of others
as deliberately threatening or demeaning. People with paranoid
personality disorder are untrusting, unforgiving, and prone to
angry or aggressive outbursts without justification because they
perceive others as unfaithful, disloyal, condescending or
deceitful. This type of person may also be jealous, guarded,
secretive, and scheming, and may appear to be emotionally �cold� or
excessively serious.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder A pattern of peculiarities
best describes those with schizotypal personality disorder. People
may have odd or eccentric manners of speaking or dressing. Strange,
outlandish or paranoid beliefs and thoughts are common. People with
schizotypal personality disorder have difficulties forming
relationships and experience extreme anxiety in social situations.
They may react inappropriately or not react at all during a
conversation or they may talk to themselves. They also display
signs of �magical thinking� by saying they can see into the future
or read other people�s minds.
Cluster B:
Antisocial Personality Disorder People with antisocial
personality disorder characteristically act out their conflicts and
ignore normal rules of social behavior. These individuals are
impulsive, irresponsible, and callous. Typically, the antisocial
personality has a history of legal difficulties, belligerent and
irresponsible behavior, aggressive and even violent relationships.
They show no respect for other people and feel no remorse about the
effects of their behavior on others. These people ware at high risk
for substance abuse, especially alcoholism, since it helps them to
relieve tension, irritability and boredom.
Borderline Personality Disorder People with borderline
personality disorder are unstable in several areas, including
interpersonal relationships, behavior, mood, and self-image. Abrupt
and extreme mood changes, stormy interpersonal relationships, an
unstable and fluctuating self-image, unpredictable and
self-destructive actions characterize the person with borderline
personality disorder. These individuals generally have great
difficulty with their own sense of identity. They often experience
the world in extremes, viewing others as either �all good� or �all
bad.� A person with borderline personality may form an intense
personal attachment with someone only to quickly dissolve it over a
perceived slight.
Fears of abandonment may lead to an excessive dependency on others.
Self-multilation or recurrent suicidal gestures may be used to get
attention or manipulate others. Impulsive actions, chronic feelings
of boredom or emptiness, and bouts of intense inappropriate anger
are other traits of this disorder, which is more common among
females.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder People with narcissistic
personality have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, are
absorbed by fantasies of unlimited success, and seek constant
attention. The narcissistic personality is oversensitive to failure
and often complains of multiple somatic symptoms.
Prone to extreme mood swings between self-admiration and
insecurity, these people tend to exploit interpersonal
relationships.
Cluster C:
- Avoidant Personality Disorder Avoidant personalities are often
hypersensitive to rejection and are unwilling to become involved
with others unless they are sure of being liked. Excessive social
discomfort, timidity, fear of criticism, avoidance of social or
work activities that involve interpersonal contact are
characteristic of the avoidant personality. They are fearful of
saying something considered foolish by others; worry they will
blush or cry in front of others; and are very hurt by any
disapproval by others.
People with avoidant personality disorder may have no close
relationships outside of their family circle, although they would
like to, and are upset at their inability to relate well to
others.
- Dependent Personality Disorder People with dependent
personality disorder may exhibit a pattern of dependent and
submissive behavior, relying on others to make decisions for them.
They require excessive reassurance and advice, and are easily hurt
by criticism or disapproval. They feel uncomfortable and helpless
if they are alone, and can be devastated when a close relationship
ends. They have a strong fear of rejection. Typically lacking in
self-confidence, the dependent personality rarely initiates
projects or does things independently. This disorder usually begins
by early adulthood and is diagnosed more frequently in females than
males.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Compulsive
personalities are conscientious and have high levels of aspiration,
but they also strive for perfection. Never satisfied with their
achievements, people with compulsive personality disorder take on
more and more responsibilities.
They are reliable, dependable, orderly, and methodical, but
their inflexibility often makes them incapable of adapting to
changed circumstances. People with compulsive personality are
highly cautious, weigh all aspects of a problem, and pay attention
to every detail, making it difficult for them to make decisions and
complete tasks.
When their feelings are not under strict control, events are
unpredictable, or they must rely on others, compulsive
personalities often feel a sense of isolation and helplessness.
Professional Help
When these characteristics are carried to an extreme, when they
endure over time and when they interfere with healthy functioning,
a diagnostic evaluation with a licensed physician or mental health
professional is recommended.
Treatment of the Personality
Disorder
There are many types of help available for the different
personality disorders. Treatment may include individual, group, or
family psychotherapy. Medications, prescribed by a patient�s
physician, may also be helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of
personality disorders, including problems with anxiety and
perceptions.
Psychotherapy for patients with personality disorders focuses on
helping them see the unconscious conflicts that are contributing to
or causing their symptoms. It also helps people become more
flexible and is aimed at reducing the behavior patterns that
interfere with everyday living.
In psychotherapy, people with personality disorders can better
recognize the effects of their behavior on others. Behavior and
cognitive therapies focus on resolving symptoms or traits that are
characteristic of the disorder, such as the inability to make
important life decisions or the inability to initiate
relationships.
There is Hope
The more you learn about personality disorders the more you will
understand that they are illnesses, with causes and treatments.
People can improve with proper care. By seeking out information you
can recognize the signs and symptoms of a personality disorder and
help yourself or someone you know live a healthier more fulfilling
life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center,
or for additional resources, please call 1-800-969-NMHA.
National Mental Health
Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental
Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
Phone: (800) 553-4539
Center for Mental Health Services
National Mental Health Information Center
PO Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: (800) 789-2647
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