A person with a personality disorder, a type of mental disorder, exhibits an unhealthy and rigid thinking pattern, functioning, and behaviour. The person will have trouble relating to or perceiving situations and people, leading to limitations and problems in social activities, relationships, work, and school. Some people may not even realize that they have a personality disorder. This is because their way of thinking and behaving appears natural to them. They may blame others for the challenges faced by them. Generally, personality disorders begin during teenage or early adulthood. Personality disorders are of different types.

Symptoms of Different Types of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are grouped under three clusters. However, people suffering from one personality disorder may show signs and symptoms of at least another personality disorder. Besides, it is not compulsory to exhibit all the listed signs and symptoms of a personality disorder.

Personality Disorders – Cluster A

The characteristics displayed by people with personality disorders grouped under Cluster include odd and eccentric thinking or behaviour. Cluster A personality disorders include:

Paranoid personality disorder

• Distrust and suspect others and their intentions
• A strong belief that others will harm or deceive them
• Doubts the trustworthiness or loyalty of others
• Reluctance to confide in others
• Perceiving innocent remarks as personal insults
• Reacting angrily to slights or insults
• Holding grudges
• Unjustified suspicion of the spouse

Schizoid personality disorder

• No interest in personal or social relationships
• Limited emotional expression range
• Doesn’t derive pleasure doing most activities
• Being cold or indifferent
• No interest in sex

Schizotypal personality disorder

• Odd beliefs, speech, dress, or behaviour
• Odd perceptual experiences
• Inappropriate emotional responses
• Social anxiety
• "Magical thinking"
• Finding hidden messages in casual incidents

Personality Disorders – Cluster B

Personality disorders grouped under Cluster B are characterized by overly emotional or unpredictable thinking/behaviour. Cluster B personality disorders include:

Antisocial personality disorder

• Disregard for the needs or feelings of others
• Lying, stealing, conning others, using aliases
• Getting into problems with the law recurrently
• Violating the rights of others repeatedly
• Aggressive and violent behaviour
• Disregard for self-safety and that of others
• Impulsive and irresponsible behaviour
• Lack of remorse

Borderline personality disorder

• Impulsive and risky behaviour
• Unstable self-image
• Intense and unstable relationships
• Moods swings
• Suicidal behaviour
• Intense fear when alone
• Persistent feelings of emptiness
• Display of intense anger
• Stress-related paranoia

Histrionic personality disorder

• Seeking attention constantly
• Excessive display of emotions
• Highly opinionated
• Get influenced by others easily
• Rapid changes in emotions
• Excessive concern about physical appearance

Narcissistic personality disorder

• High level of self-importance
• Fails to recognize the needs and feelings of others
• Exaggeration of talents and achievements
• Constantly expecting praise and admiration
• Arrogance
• Unreasonable expectations of advantages and favours

Personality Disorders – Cluster C

Personality disorders clubbed under Cluster C are characterized by fearful and anxious thinking or behaviour. They include:

Avoidant personality disorder

• Sensitivity to rejection or criticism
• Feeling of inferiority
• Avoiding work that calls for interpersonal contact
• Social inhibitions
• Extreme shyness
• Fear of ridicule

Dependent personality disorder

• Depending excessively on others
• Submissive behaviour toward others
• Fear of fending for self when left alone
• Lack of self-confidence
• Agreeing with others due to fear of disapproval
• Tolerating abusive treatment

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

• Preoccupation with orderliness and rules
• Extreme perfectionism
• Inability to allocate tasks
• Excessive commitment to a project
• Inability to discard worthless objects
• Inflexible, rigid, and stubborn

If you are suffering from any of the signs or symptoms of various personality disorders, you must visit your doctor or a mental health expert. This is because your condition can worsen if not treated.

Causes and Risk Factors

It is believed that personality disorders are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The precise cause is still not known. However, the factors that contribute to the development of personality disorders include family history, abusive childhood, childhood conduct disorder, and variations in brain structure and chemistry.

Treatment for Personality Disorders

At SoftMind, we develop a treatment plan based on the personality disorder you are suffering from, the severity of the condition, and your situation in life. Often, a team of psychiatry and psychology specialists will work with you to ensure that psychiatric, social, and medical needs are met. Treatment may have to be continued for months or years.

If your symptoms are mild, psychotherapy may be the only treatment you need to undergo. Medications may be combined with psychotherapy in the case of patients with medium to severe symptoms. No specific medicines are available for treating personality disorders. However, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medications may be recommended by your doctor to manage certain symptoms.

Our trained team of psychotherapy specialists can help you overcome your difficulties by employing highly effective therapies such as hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.