Personality Disorders

Certain people are better at adjusting to their surroundings, which helps them come up with better-coping mechanisms and build deeper interpersonal bonds. Individuals with lower levels of adaptability are more prone to rigidity and harmful coping mechanisms. Early in childhood, personalities develop. It is moulded by a combination of the environment and genetic makeup.

Personality disorders are mental health conditions characterized by a lifetime pattern of self-perception and problematic responses to others. Individuals who suffer from personality disorders frequently struggle to accept suffering and understand their feelings. They also behave rashly. Their inability to relate to others causes them to have major problems that impact their family life, social life, performance at work and in school, and general quality of life.

Cluster A: Personality disorder entails odd and eccentric ways of thinking or acting. Among them are:

• Paranoid Personality – The primary characteristic of paranoid personality disorder is paranoia, which is an unwavering suspicion and distrust of other people without good reason to be suspicious. Individuals who suffer from paranoid personality disorder frequently think that people are out to get them, are threatening them, or are attempting to make fun of them.
• Schizoid Personality Disorder – A constant pattern of detachment from and general indifference to interpersonal connections is the hallmark of schizoid personality disorder. When dealing with others, people with schizoid personality disorder are limited in their emotional range.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder – Individuals suffering from schizotypal personality disorder exhibit a recurring pattern of extreme uneasiness and minimal desire for intimate connections. Their strange actions, superstitions, and distorted perceptions of reality may all be detrimental to relationships.

Cluster B: These conditions are characterized by intense, unpredictable emotions and impulsive behavior in those who are affected. Cluster B personality disorders include:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) – Disregarding social norms and customs and disrespectful behavior toward others are symptoms of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Individuals with ASPD may breach the law or hurt others around them physically or psychologically. They could act with contempt toward the unfavourable effects of their acts and/or refuse to accept accountability for their conduct.
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – A person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggles to control their emotions, which can lead to mood swings, impulsive conduct, low self-esteem, and relationship problems.
• Histrionic Personality Disorder – Intense, erratic emotions and a distorted perception of oneself are hallmarks of histrionic personality disorder. An authentic sense of self-worth is not the source of self-esteem for those suffering from histrionic personality disorder; rather, it is derived from the approval of others. They may act wildly or inappropriately in an attempt to attract attention because they have an intense need to be seen by others.
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder – A persistent pattern of perceived grandiosity and superiority, an overwhelming desire for recognition and appreciation, and a lack of empathy for other people are characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder. Low self-esteem and insufficient confidence are frequently the causes of these ideas and actions.

Cluster C: Severe worry and nervousness are symptoms of Cluster C personality disorders. Among them are:

• Avoidant Personality Disorder – Individuals suffering from avoidant personality disorder experience persistent feelings of inadequacy and are extremely sensitive to criticism from others. Despite their strong need to socialize, they frequently shy away from it because of their crippling fear of rejection.
• Dependent personality disorder – It is characterised by an overwhelming and ongoing desire to be taken care of by someone else. It also means that one must be submissive, always in need of validation, and incapable of making decisions. people with Dependent personality disorder usually form close emotional ties with other people and go to great lengths to get their acceptance. They have a fear of being alone and often behave in a clingy and submissive manner.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) – The hallmark of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is an unwavering, overpowering need for control, perfectionism, and orderliness (with no tolerance for adjustment), which eventually hinders or slows down the completion of tasks. It may also cause relationship problems.

Causes:

Personality disorders have an unknown origin. However, early events such as abuse or trauma history, together with hereditary variables, are major contributors to personality disorder.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose personality disorders. A mental health professional is a medical practitioner who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Before determining a diagnosis, the mental health specialist will consider the patient’s experiences, prior medical history, and symptoms. Using a thorough medical evaluation to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms may also be beneficial.

In the field of mental health, personality disorders are among the most challenging conditions to treat. This is mostly due to the fact that individuals with personality disorders never seek therapy since they do not believe their actions to be problematic.  However, psychotherapy like CBT, DBT etc are proven to be effective management of personality disorders. It can assist in the management of personality disorders. A range of therapeutic approaches intended to assist you in recognizing and altering unhelpful feelings, ideas, and behaviors are together referred to as psychotherapy. You and your family can get support, information, and direction by working with a mental health expert, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.