The study of human personality is one of the most celebrated and fascinating areas of psychology. It's an area that captivates us because it goes deep into the very essence of who we are as individuals.
Our personality is like our fingerprint, it's what makes us who we are. It's a combination of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that shape how we interact with the world; like the way we do things or what we're afraid of. Our personality is shaped by our genes, upbringing, and experiences. Understanding personality helps us make sense of things. Like, it gives us clues about why we see the world a certain way or why we click with some people but not others. It's kind of like having a map for navigating our relationships and life experiences.
When these behaviors, thoughts, and emotions cause you a lot of stress and affect how you live, mental health experts call it a personality disorder if it happens over a long time and keeps coming back. A recent study shows that personality disorders are pervasive, maladaptive, and chronic patterns of behavior, cognition, and mood. It makes us develop a distorted perception of our reality, reacts abnormally and leads to impaired functioning. A person with personality disorder can be detached, overly emotional or dramatic, manipulative, abusive and have an unhealthy parenting style.
What are the types of personality disorders?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the main guide for recognized mental health conditions, groups the 10 types of personality disorders into three clusters, with each cluster sharing similar symptoms.
Cluster A personality disorders
People with Cluster A personality disorders tend to have strange or odd ways of thinking or acting. This include:
Paranoid personality disorder: The main feature of this condition is paranoia, which is a deep mistrust and suspicion of others without any evidence for suspicion. People with this disorder often believe others are trying to harm or threaten them.
Schizoid personality disorder: This condition shows a regular pattern of being distant and generally uninterested in relationships with others. People who have it show few emotions when they interact with others.
Schizotypal personality disorder: People with this condition often have peculiar beliefs or magical thinking that can make it challenging for them to relate to others. Also display a consistent pattern of intense discomfort with and limited need for close relationships. They may have difficulty keeping relationships because of their distorted views of reality, superstitions and unusual behaviors.
Cluster B personality disorders
Cluster B personality disorders involve unpredictable and dramatic behaviors. People with these conditions experience strong, unstable emotions and act impulsively. This include:
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD): Individuals with ASPD often show little respect for others and ignore social norms or rules. They might break the law or hurt people emotionally or physically. They tend to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and don't care about the harmful effects of their behavior.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD): This condition is characterized by trouble managing emotions, leading to low self-worth, mood changes, impulsive actions, and challenges in relationships.
Histrionic personality disorder: This condition involves very strong, unstable emotions and a distorted self-image. People with histrionic personality disorder rely on others’ approval for self-esteem instead of having true self-worth. They have a strong need to be noticed and may act dramatically or inappropriately to get attention.
Narcissistic personality disorder: This condition shows a consistent pattern of feeling superior and acting grand, needing a lot of praise and admiration, and not feeling empathy for others. These behaviors often come from low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence.
Cluster C personality disorders
Cluster C personality disorders are characterized by intense anxiety and fear.. They include:
Avoidant personality disorder: People with this condition often feel they are not good enough and are very sensitive to criticism from others. Although they want to connect with people, they usually avoid social situations because they fear being rejected.
Dependent personality disorder: This condition is characterized by an ongoing and strong desire to be taken care of by others. It includes being submissive, needing constant reassurance, and having difficulty making decisions. Individuals with dependent personality disorder often become very attached to someone and work hard to keep that person happy. They usually show passive and clingy behavior and fear being alone.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD): This condition involves a strong and constant desire for order, perfection, and control, leaving no room for flexibility, which can hinder task completion and affect relationships.
This is different from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is an anxiety disorder. People with OCD often realize that their actions are due to the disorder and know they need to make changes, while those with OCPD usually lack awareness of their behaviors.
Personality Disorders and Gender
These patterns or traits of personality disorders often start showing up when we're teenagers or in our early adult years, shaping how we interact with others and the world around us. But with antisocial personality disorder, where symptoms often appear in childhood or adolescence; approximately 80% of people with this disorder will have started to show symptoms by the age of 11. This disorder mainly affects male in common. On the other hand borderline, histrionic, and dependent personality disorders exhibit higher prevalence among females in common.
About 6% of the global population has a personality disorder.
TIPS
Individuals with paranoid personality disorder can gradually build trusting relationships and practice assertiveness skills, while engaging in activities that promote relaxation. Those with schizoid personality disorder can explore solitary interests and seek support from online communities. Similarly, individuals with schizotypal personality disorder can attend social skills training and express themselves creatively. For those with antisocial personality disorder, developing healthy coping mechanisms and seeking positive role models are important steps. People with borderline personality disorder can benefit from creating structured routines, practicing distress tolerance skills, and building a support network.
Meanwhile, those with histrionic personality disorder can work on developing assertiveness and emotional regulation techniques. For individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, practicing empathy and seeking feedback from others can be beneficial. Those with avoidant personality disorder can gradually expose themselves to feared situations and challenge negative self-talk. Individuals with dependent personality disorder can set boundaries and seek therapy to explore underlying fears. Finally, those with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder can practice mindfulness, challenge perfectionistic tendencies, and utilize organizational tools to manage tasks effectively. These strategies, along with professional guidance and support, can empower individuals to navigate the complexities of their personality disorders and lead fulfilling lives.
Personality disorders present unique challenges in diagnosis because individuals affected often lack insight into their own behaviors and may not perceive their actions as problematic. Diagnosis typically occurs when family members, friends, or social agencies observe difficulties arising from the individual's behavior patterns. Mental health professionals rely on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to make a diagnosis.
Treatment primarily revolves around psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, which aims to reduce immediate distress, enhance self-awareness, modify unhealthy behaviors, and improve coping skills. While there are no medications specifically approved to treat personality disorders, some medications may help manage associated symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Different types of psychotherapy are tailored to address specific personality disorders. For instance, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has shown effectiveness in treating borderline personality disorder, while cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may benefit individuals with histrionic personality disorder.
If you can identify the generic symptoms of personality disorders or the signs of a particular disorder in yourself or in a loved one, then seeking professional help is highly recommended. If you can relate to a handful or most of the signs mentioned above, then consulting a doctor will help you get a proper diagnosis and the right treatment.
When left untreated, personality disorders can lead to long-term adverse effects and impair your ability to function in your daily life. However, with effective treatment, you can overcome your symptoms, improve your mental health, build stronger relationships and lead a healthier life.
EXPERIENCE
In 2015, my friend's younger sister, a medical student, faced traumatic events during her final exams, leading her to quit her studies. Since then, she's undergone a significant personality shift, becoming distrustful and withdrawing from society, staying mostly confined to her room. Despite attempts to seek help, including consultations at NIMHANS Bangalore and therapy sessions in Ernakulam, she's refused treatment for what was diagnosed as Borderline Personality Disorder. Recently, their mother passed away from stress-induced colon cancer, further exacerbating the family's struggles. Despite her outward appearances of normalcy, she battles internal turmoil, and though she rejects treatment, my friend believes she deserves compassion and support.
VIEW
Despite some awareness through movies or media portrayals, there are often misunderstandings and misconceptions about personality disorders within communities in Kerala. There may be a tendency to stigmatize individuals with personality disorders. This stigma can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and barriers to accessing proper treatment and support. Personality disorders often involve complex and subtle patterns of behavior, so they can be challenging for people without specialized knowledge to understand. Many individuals may not recognize their own symptoms or may resist seeking treatment due to various reasons such as stigma or a lack of insight into their condition.When someone acts differently, people might jump to conclusions and label them as mentally ill. If someone finds it hard to connect with others or has unusual beliefs, they might be judged harshly without considering that they might have a personality disorder.
Personality disorders are often misunderstood by Kerala societies , People sometimes think personality disorders are just problems with someone's character, but that's not true. They're actually real health issues caused by a mix of biology and things in a person's life. These disorders affect how people act and feel, and they can make life tough sometimes. Also, not everyone with a personality disorder is trying to manipulate others. Sometimes, they just struggle to say what they need. With the right help and care, people with these disorders can still live good lives. Childhood trauma isn't always the cause either. There are other reasons, like genes and other things that happen in life. And despite what some may believe, people with personality disorders aren't more dangerous than anyone else. Most of them aren't violent. And here's some good news: these disorders can be treated! Therapy and support can make a big difference in helping people manage their symptoms and live better lives
Struggling with mental health challenges at work or beyond? Connect with Malayali psychologist at Koott for compassionate online counseling. Take the first step towards better well-being today—support is just a click away.
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