What is a personality disorder?

Personality refers to the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that define you and make you different from everyone else. 

Personality disorders occur when you have an ongoing pattern of thoughts and behaviors that are noticeably different from cultural expectations. These patterns don’t improve with experience, and they lead to serious problems.

What are the symptoms of a personality disorder?

As a general guideline, people with a personality disorder may:

• Change their values
• Change their opinions
• Have intense or frequent anger
• Engage in attention-seeking behavior
• Engage in impulsive or risky behaviors
• Feel superior and entitled
• Disregard the feelings of others
• Become a perfectionist

However, there are many types of personality disorders.

What are the different types of personality disorders?

The different personality disorders belong to one of three groups. All the disorders in a group share a defining quality. However, each individual disorder also has its own symptoms:

Cluster A disorders:

• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder

These disorders cause unusual or eccentric patterns of thinking and behavior.

Cluster B disorders:

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder

The disorders in this group cause thoughts and behaviors that are extremely unpredictable, dramatic, and emotional.

Cluster C disorders:

• Avoidant personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

All the disorders in this group lead to anxious and fearful thoughts and behaviors.

What causes personality disorders?

Researchers are still studying the causes of personality disorders but believe that these challenging disorders arise from genetic tendencies and childhood trauma. Children are more likely to develop a personality disorder if they suffer physical, sexual, or verbal abuse.

On the positive side, having a strong, positive relationship with a relative, teacher, or friend can offset the negative influences and prevent children from developing a personality disorder.

How is personality disorder treated?

Providence Medical & Mental Health Clinic primarily treats personality disorders with psychotherapy. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy can help you learn to regulate your emotions and identify the dysfunctional beliefs that lead to distressing behaviors.

Your provider may prescribe medications to improve symptoms such as anger, anxiety, and depression. When needed, your provider refers you to a psychiatrist while continuing to manage your overall care.

If you need treatment for a personality disorder, call Providence Medical & Mental Health Clinic or book an appointment online today.