Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause those affected to exhibit behavior inconsistent with the expectations of the society they live in. These disorders impact personal, family, educational, or work relationships due to the difficulty they create in emotional management.

There are different types of personality disorders, which are grouped into three categories based on their common characteristics. Thus, we talk about:

• Group A Personality Disorders: those who suffer from them show disinterest in others or a constant sense of suspicion. This group includes:
• Paranoid Personality Disorder.
• Schizoid Personality Disorder.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder.
• Group B Personality Disorders: those affected are characterized by a need for affection and attention. The most notable disorders include:
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD).
• Histrionic Personality Disorder.
• Group C Personality Disorders: those suffering from this type of disorder have fearful and anxious thoughts. The disorders in this category include:
• Avoidant Personality Disorder.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.
• Dependent Personality Disorder.

In most cases, these disorders manifest during adolescence or early adulthood, and their symptoms remain stable as a behavior pattern over time. With the intervention of healthcare professionals and proper therapy, patients learn to live with their disorder and function in a more adaptive way.

Symptoms

Each type of personality disorder has its own symptoms, which can also vary in intensity depending on the person. The most characteristic symptoms are:

• Borderline Personality Disorder: severe difficulty in managing emotions, significant mood swings, insecurity, and changing feelings.
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: excessive concern for oneself, extreme self-centeredness, lack of empathy, and disregard for others' feelings.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder: disregard for the rights of others, lack of empathy, irresponsibility, promiscuity, low tolerance for boredom, and minimal guilt.
• Paranoid Personality Disorder: prolonged distrust of others, constant worry about hidden motives, social isolation.
• Schizoid Personality Disorder: lack of interest in personal relationships, coldness, low motivation, and a low sex drive.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder: odd beliefs and behaviors, depression, solitary or antisocial character.
• Avoidant Personality Disorder: excessive fear of rejection, withdrawal, lack of involvement in social activities, inhibition.
• Histrionic Personality Disorder: need to be the center of attention, dramatic or provocative behavior, high emotional volatility.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: excessive concern with order and control, perfectionism, rigidity, anxiety, and frustration.
• Dependent Personality Disorder: need for attention, submissiveness, difficulty making decisions, fear of abandonment and independence, and lack of self-confidence.

Causes

Currently, the exact causes of personality disorders are unknown. However, they are believed to result from a combination of certain genetic traits and environmental factors.

Risk Factors

Some of the factors that increase the risk of developing a personality disorder include:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Previous traumatic experiences, such as growing up in a dysfunctional family or experiencing trauma, mistreatment, or sexual abuse.

Complications

The main complication of personality disorders is the inability to relate normally to others, which leads to social isolation or difficulties in fulfilling responsibilities.

Prevention

Personality disorders can be prevented by having a psychologically healthy and balanced childhood and adolescence.

Which doctor treats personality disorders?

Primarily clinical psychologists. Occasionally, medication may be required from a psychiatrist.