Personality Disorders

Personality Disorders
There is some disagreement about how to recognise
personality disorders, but basically, one could be defined
as having a personality disorder when their basic character
traits cause severe problems either to themselves or to the
people around them on a regular basis, to the extent that
it prevents them from leading a normal life.

The DSM-1V categories the different personality disorders
into three main clusters.
Cluster A - Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal personality
disorders
Cluster B - Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and
Narcisstic personality disorders
Cluster C - Avoidant, Dependent and Obsessive Compulsive
personality disorders

The following is a brief description of these ten different
types of personality disorders:

Paranoid Personality Disorder

People with paranoid personality disorder tend to be
extremely distrustful and suspicious of others, including
those closest to them although they will often avoid or be
unable to form close relationships. They are often highly
critical and hostile and so will receive a hostile response
from others as a result, which of course serves to validate
their original distrust and suspicion.

Schizoid Personality disorder

This is a particularly rare type of personality disorder.
Someone with Schizoid personality disorder will show little
or no emotion, including humour, and appear quite happy to
be alone. They tend to lack social skills and do not make
any effort to attain popularity, acceptance or any
attention from others.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Characterised by abnormal or bizarre ways of thinking and
will often isolate themselves from others. In some cases
they may believe they have extra sensory powers beyond what
other people have and believe they can influence the world
and make things happen. This type of personality disorder
has a high degree of overlapping with other types of
personality disorders.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (also known as Dissociate)

This type can be described as lacking in a social
conscience with no regard or compassion for others so prone
to carrying out criminal acts such as violence towards
others and stealing. Will often display aggressive
behaviour and show no concern for their "victims" and will
act without thinking of the consequences. Deceit and
manipulation are characteristic of this type of personality
disorder.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality or anxious personality disorder is
characterised by extreme sensitivity to rejection,
criticism and confrontation. Sufferers will avoid social
situations and interactions due to their feelings of
inadequacy and fear of rejection. They feel alienated from
society.

Borderline Personality Disorder

This is a serious mental illness characterised by unstable
moods, low self esteem and poor self image. Sufferers tend
to see things as black and white. They can be prone to
sudden bouts of anger, which they may take out on
themselves, including threatening or actual suicide.
Relationships with others whether they are at work, at home
or socially, are often intense, volatile and riddled with
conflict.

Dependent Personality Disorder

This type is submissive in their nature and indulges in
repeated patterns of dependency on others even to the
extent they rely on others to make decisions for them. They
are clingy, needy, and sensitive to criticism and rejection
and will often go to great lengths to gain reassurance from
others. They feel unable to look after themselves and are
often preoccupied with fears about being alone so when one
relationship ends they will embark on another.

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Someone with obsessive compulsive personality disorder is a
perfectionist and will often take on too much
responsibility in their drive for perfection. They often
find difficulty adapting to new situations and can be
overly concerned with rules and doing things the way they
think they should be done, particularly with regard to
time, money, cleanliness and relationships. They may be
preoccupied with lists, organisation and order and be
overly committed to their work. Many people will show
traits of this type of personality but it is not diagnosed
unless it is severe enough to hinder them from leading a
normal life.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Characterised by attention seeking behaviour, dominating
conversations, exaggerating normal everyday events
including illness, constantly seeking praise, can involve
dressing outrageously in order to attract attention, or
anything else that will get them noticed. They thrive on
drama, may be sexually provocative, exaggerate their
emotions and be extremely sensitive to criticism.

Narcisstic Personality Disorder

This type of personality disorder is characterised by an
inflated sense of self importance and what they can achieve
in the world believing they are special or unique and are
often preoccupied by fantasises of success, power, beauty
and ideal love. They will often take advantage of others to
suit their own needs.

What causes personality disorders?

Personality disorders tend to start during young adulthood
and persist thereafter. No one really knows for sure what
causes someone to develop a personality disorder although
there are a number of theories in existence involving
environmental, social, biological and genetic factors.

A significant number of people who develop a personality
disorder have suffered some sort of abuse or neglect during
childhood and there is also evidence that the tendency can
be inherited through the genes.

Treating a personality disorder

Treatment will usually involve some sort of psychotherapy
or antipsychotic, antidepressant medication or mood
stabilisers depending on the type or types of personality
disorder or disorders involved.

----------------------------------------------------
Depression and anxiety are serious mental health conditions
that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information
about depression and selp help come and visit
http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk