There are several types of personality disorders, and many people suffer from their characteristics, affecting nearly every aspect of their lives. Having a personality disorder may also be difficult for family, friends, and those around them. Educating yourself on the various personality disorders may help you detect potential characteristics in yourself or your loved ones, leading to a possible diagnosis and closer step towards treatment and recovery.
As of today, there are ten identified personality disorders, and they are grouped into 3 main clusters.
Cluster A is characterized by a combination of “odd” or “eccentric” personality disorders.
- Paranoid personality disorder: pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, much effort into protecting themselves
- Schizoid personality disorder: social detachment, restricted range of emotional expression, socially isolated oftentimes
- Schizotypal personality disorder: social and interpersonal limitations, small discomfort in social settings, typically socially isolated, odd beliefs that are inconsistent with social norms
Cluster B is characterized by “dramatic” “emotional” “erratic” types of personality disorders.
- Borderline personality disorder: intense and unstable mood swings, impulsive behaviors
- Narcissistic personality disorder: inflated sense of self-worth, believes they deserve special treatment, believes they are uniquely talented and/or extremely attractive or intelligent
- Histrionic personality disorder: excessive emotionality and attention seeking, may be viewed as “dramatic”
- Antisocial personality disorder: disregard for the rights of others, deceit and manipulation, hostility and/or aggression
Cluster C is characterized by “anxious” and “fearful” personality disorders.
- Avoidant personality disorder: social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation
- Dependent personality disorder: strong need to be taken care of by other people, fear of losing support of others
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: rules, regulations, rituals, obsessive thoughts
Educating yourself on the characteristics may help you detect possibility of a personality disorder. If you feel that you may suffer from a personality disorder, speaking with a doctor is the first step to take. A doctor can assess your symptoms and diagnose you, giving you a clear sense of mind. There are many forms of treatment available for those who suffer from a personality disorder, including psychotherapy, medication, support groups, and more.
Having a personality disorder doesn’t mean that something is “wrong” with you – it just means that you are one step closer to better understanding yourself and the world as you see it. We all have something that we are working through, and being more knowledgeable about ourselves can lead us to leading a happier, healthier life.
Residential treatment programs give you the time you need to focus on healing. Avalon Malibu is one of California’s only certified primary mental health treatment facility providing trusted programs with trusted results. For a confidential assessment and more information, call us today: 888-958-7511
