Types of Personality Disorders: Symptoms & Characteristics

A personality disorder is a long-term tendency. It’s a way of seeing, experiencing, and responding to the world. But it comes out in ways that might feel like a lack of empathy or always in chaos or highly rigid thinking or approach to things.

Personality disorders are mental health complications that affect a person’s life in multiple ways, including thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They can also impact your relationships with others and your general well-being. They may come from genetics or childhood experiences (trauma, neglect, etc.). And personality disorders are considered mental illnesses. Primarily this means they need to be diagnosed by a qualified professional. Secondarily, it means they should be professionally treated with evidence-based care.

There are ten common types of personality disorders. They’re typically classified into three clusters depending on similar symptoms and characteristics. Though the importance of the clusters has come into question, we will use them for categorization.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

These include people who find it challenging to relate with others. They often portray unconventional behavior.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

You might feel suspicious of others and unable to trust or confide in them. You might believe people are being nasty or lying to you when this isn’t true.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

You might feel uninterested in maintaining social relationships, including family members. You might think that relationships interfere with your day-to-day life.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

With this disorder, making close relationships tends to be incredibly difficult. You might feel anxious or tense around those who don’t share your beliefs. Others might find your reactions to emotions eccentric or inappropriate.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

It groups disorders with unpredictable and dramatic symptoms.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

If you’re living with BPD, you might experience intense emotions, feelings, and mood swings you find challenging to manage. You’ll often feel anxious and distressed. You may also have identity issues and how you view yourself.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

If diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, you may portray a high sense of self-importance. Usually, this is to hide low self-esteem. You may act selfishly to obtain success and exploit other people.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

With this disorder, you might always want to be the center of attraction and often feel uncomfortable when ignored. It can even make you behave in an over-dramatic or over-emotional way.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

People with this disorder may behave dangerously or even illegally. They might already have a criminal record and probably feel no guilt when upsetting or mistreating others.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

It’s a group that includes personality disorders where people experience anxious and fearful symptoms.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

You may have low self-esteem, worry a lot, and dislike criticism. You may be afraid of being judged negatively and, thus, feel uncomfortable in social settings. And although you might want affection, you’re constantly worried about rejection.

Dependent Personality Disorder

You may allow others to make decisions in your life. You might have low self-esteem and appear passive or submissive to others. You might realize that you put other people’s needs first.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

People with obsessive compulsive disorder feel anxious when things are unplanned, disorganized, or not exactly right. They might have unusually high standards for themselves and even others. They might also be very cautious and focus on the small details.

Treating Personality Disorders in Orange County, California

Treating personality disorders often involves a combination of approaches, as there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. The primary goals of treatment are to help individuals manage their symptoms, improve their daily functioning, and develop better interpersonal relationships. Here are some common treatment methods:

1. Psychotherapy: This is the cornerstone of treatment for personality disorders. Different types of therapy can be used, depending on the specific disorder and the individual’s needs. Some common forms include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Developed specifically for borderline personality disorder but can be helpful for other disorders, it focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
3. Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences to understand the roots of the disorder.
4. Schema Therapy: Integrates elements of CBT, psychodynamic, and attachment therapies to target maladaptive schemas (patterns) contributing to the disorder.
5. Group therapy can provide support, validation, and an opportunity to practice new skills in a social setting.
6. Family therapy: Involves working with family members to improve communication, understanding, and support.
7. Lifestyle changes: Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep hygiene can improve overall mental health.
8. PHP or Outpatient mental health programs: Individuals with personality disorders may require more intensive care and support in severe cases or during crises.

Call Story Wellness today to learn more about personality disorders or get help treating or managing them. Call now: 866-476-2823.