Personality Disorders
Overview
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, exhibited across many contexts and deviating from those accepted by the individual's culture. These patterns develop early, are inflexible, and are associated with significant distress or disability.
Classification
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), categorizes personality disorders into three clusters based on symptom similarities:
Cluster A
Cluster A is characterized as "odd, eccentric" and includes Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder are often suspicious of others and mistrustful of their motives. They may interpret benign remarks or events as threatening or demeaning.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, a tendency towards a solitary lifestyle, and emotional coldness.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder is marked by severe social anxiety, thought disorder, paranoid ideation, derealization, transient psychosis, and often unconventional beliefs.
Cluster B
Cluster B is described as "dramatic, emotional, erratic" and includes Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. Lack of empathy, inflated self-appraisal, and superficial charm are common.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by severe psychological instability, impulsivity, risk-taking behavior, and unstable relationships. Individuals with this disorder may also experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder is characterized by constant attention-seeking, emotional overreaction, and suggestibility. Individuals with this disorder are often perceived as being shallow and may engage in sexually seductive or provocative behavior to draw attention to themselves.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is characterized by grandiosity, a lack of empathy for other people, and a need for admiration. People with this disorder are often described as arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding.
Cluster C
Cluster C is characterized as "anxious, fearful" and includes Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterized by extreme social anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and sensitivity to negative criticism or rejection. This leads to avoidance of social interactions and occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive psychological dependence on other people. This dependence may be seen in the individual's submissive behavior and fear of separation.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is characterized by a general pattern of concern with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of personality disorders typically involves a psychiatric evaluation, a physical examination, and a thorough medical history. The Mental Status Examination (MSE) is a core psychiatric evaluation tool that assesses the current state of a patient's mental health.
Treatment
Treatment for personality disorders typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medications, and self-care strategies. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are two common forms of psychotherapy used in the treatment of personality disorders.
Prognosis
The prognosis for individuals with personality disorders varies widely and depends on the specific type of disorder, the individual's life circumstances, and their willingness to seek and adhere to treatment.