Types of personality disorder

Personality makes each of us different. Our style of behavior, how we react, our worldview, thoughts, feelings, and how we interact in relationships are all part of what makes up our personality.

Having a healthy personality enables a person to function in daily life. Everyone experiences stressat some time, but, a healthy personality helps us to face the challenges and move on.

For someone with a personality disorder, the features of everyday life that most people take for granted can become a challenge.

There are many types of personality disorder, but this article will focus on a few of them.

What is personality?

An individual's personality is what defines how they perceive the world around them. It is a set of characteristics and features that cause them to think, feel, and act in a particular way.

Genetic make-up, biological, and environmental factors all help to shape an individual's personality.

Personality disorder

When an individual has a personality disorder, it becomes harder for them to respond to the changes and demands of life and to form and maintain relationships with others.

These experiences can lead to distress and social isolation and increase the risk of depression and other mental health issues.

The American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual fifth edition (DSM-5) lists a number of personality disorders as diagnosable conditions for which people can seek treatment.

The DSM-5 groups personality disorders into three broad clusters that it refers to as A, B, and C.

Cluster A personality disorders

These disorders involve behavior that seems unusual and eccentric to others, according to Mental Health America (MHA).

They include:

·         paranoid personality disorder

·         schizoid personality disorder

·         schizotypal personality disorder

Cluster B personality disorders

These disorders feature behavior that is emotional, dramatic, or erratic.

Examples include:

·         antisocial personality disorder

·         borderline personality disorder

·         histrionic personality disorder

·         narcissistic personality disorder

Cluster C personality disorders

Anxiety and fear underlie the behaviors that occur with Cluster C disorders.

Examples of these include:

·         avoidant personality disorder

·         dependent personality disorder

·         obsessive-compulsive personality disorders

To receive a diagnosis of a personality disorder, an individual must meet certain criteria.

MHA describe a personality disorder as "A deeply ingrained, inflexible pattern of relating, perceiving, and thinking serious enough to cause distress or impaired functioning."

These disorders probably result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Source: Medical News Today