Personality Disorders Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that affect your pattern of thinking, behavior, and the way you relate to others. If you have a personality disorder, that means that you see yourself, the world, and other people in a way that differs from the general population.
To explain, personality traits are meant to allow you to adapt to your environment, relate with others, and cope with events. When you have maladaptive personality traits, you might have a hard time developing meaningful relationships, and a solid sense of self, and have a hard time coping with stress healthily. This is what it is like to have a personality disorder.
There are three clusters of personality disorders: Cluster A, B, and C. Each one is associated with a different set of symptoms. Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by eccentric or odd thinking, Cluster B is associated with dramatic or emotional behaviors, and Cluster C involves anxious or fearful thinking and behavior.[1]
According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), 9.1% of people have a personality disorder.[2]
While it can be difficult to live with a personality disorder, you can learn to manage your symptoms with treatment. At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we treat personality disorders with a combination of behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and symptom-specific medication.
In this article, you will learn:
- What are personality disorders
- What are the different types of personality disorders
- How are personality disorders treated
What are Personality Disorders?
Your personality is made up of your way of thinking, behavior, and emotions. It can be influenced by your environment and the characteristics you inherit from your family. Typically, your personality will stay the same over time.
When you have a personality disorder, that means your way of thinking, behaving, and feeling is different. Usually, personality disorders are characterized by maladaptive patterns of thought and behavior. You might also have a hard time relating to others and the world around you.
There are 10 different types of personality disorders and each one has its own set of symptoms. To be diagnosed with a personality disorder, your symptoms must affect at least two of the following:
- Your way of thinking about yourself
- Your way of responding emotionally
- Your way of relating to other people
- Your ability to control your behavior
Types of Personality Disorders
As mentioned, there are 10 different types of personality disorders. Being aware of each one can help you identify whether you might struggle with a personality disorder.
Cluster A
Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by eccentric behavior or odd thinking. They include:[3]
- Paranoid Personality Disorder- Displays a pattern of distrusting others or being suspicious of them. Avoids close relationships out of a fear of being deceived.
- Schizoid Personality Disorder- Experiences detachment from social relationships and expresses very little emotion. Often chooses to be alone and is indifferent to praise or criticism.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder- Has a pattern of being uncomfortable in close relationships, experiences distorted thinking, and displays eccentric behavior. Often has excessive social anxiety and engages in odd or peculiar behavior.
Cluster B
Cluster B personality disorders are associated with intense emotions and trouble maintaining relationships. These include:[3]
- Antisocial Personality Disorder- Displays a pattern of disregarding the rights or needs of others. Often avoid relationships unless they are sure they will be liked and accepted and are afraid of criticism or rejection.
- Borderline Personality Disorder- Has a pattern of instability in relationships with others, experiences intense emotions, poor self-esteem, and engages in impulsive behavior. Goes to great lengths to avoid real or perceived abandonment from others, frequently experiences suicide attempts, and has inappropriate bouts of anger.
- Histrionic Personality Disorder- Patterns of excessive emotion and attention-seeking behaviors. They are often uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention, use physical appearance to receive attention, and have rapidly shifting or exaggerated emotions.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder- Characterized by a need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. May experience a grandiose sense of self-importance, and entitlement, and take advantage of or manipulate other people.
Cluster C
Cluster C personality disorders cause a pattern of fearful or anxious thoughts and behavior. These include:[3]
- Avoidant Personality Disorder- Shows a pattern of extreme shyness, sensitivity to criticism, and low self-esteem. Often unwilling to be social with others because they are afraid of rejection and believe they are socially inept.
- Dependent Personality Disorder- Displays a pattern of needing to be taken care of and clingy behavior. Might have a hard time making decisions for themselves without reassurance from others.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder- Has a preoccupation with orderliness, perfection, and control. Might work excessively, fail to leave time for socialization, and be inflexible in their values. (Not the same condition as obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD.)
How are Personality Disorders Treated?
At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we offer a variety of treatment programs that address personality disorders. Depending on your level of care, you might engage in frequent behavioral therapy, and medication management, and learn how to make important lifestyle changes. Treatment for personality disorders focuses on learning how to manage your symptoms, improve your self-esteem, and develop important social skills.
Therapy
Therapy is used to help you manage the symptoms of your personality disorder. It is the first line of treatment for these conditions. The type of therapy you engage in will depend on which personality disorder you suffer from.
For example, dialectical behavior therapy is effective in managing borderline personality disorder (BPD). It helps you learn how to self-regulate your emotions, overcome childhood trauma, and change negative patterns of thought or behavior.[4]
On the other hand, psychodynamic therapy might be used to treat dependent personality disorder. It is effective in helping you examine your fears of independence and address difficulties you might have with assertiveness.[5]
Medication
No medication directly treats personality disorders. However, sometimes medications are used to manage specific symptoms.
For example, people with borderline personality disorder often experience intense mood swings and impulsivity. Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics can be used to stabilize intense emotions.
On the other hand, people with Cluster C personality disorders experience intense anxiety. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be helpful in this case.
Lifestyle Changes
Lastly, New Jersey Behavioral Health will help you create lasting lifestyle changes that improve the symptoms of your personality disorder.
Examples of some lifestyle changes that can help you cope include:
- Learning about your condition and how it affects your view of the world, yourself, and others
- Engaging in physical activity and exercise regularly
- Avoiding drugs and alcohol
- Attending routine therapy and doctor’s visits
- Joining a support group for your personality disorder
- Writing in a journal to track your emotions and triggers
- Using relaxation and stress management techniques like meditation or yoga
- Staying connected with your family, friends, and support system
Get Connected to Reputable Treatment for Personality Disorders in New Jersey
If you or a loved one suffers from a personality disorder, it’s time to seek help. At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we use an evidence-based approach to treatment and recovery. All of the services we provide are clinically proven in managing the symptoms of personality disorders.
Contact us today for more information on our treatment center for personality disorders in New Jersey.
References:
- Medline Plus: Personality Disorders
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Personality Disorders
- Merck Manuals: Overview of Personality Disorders
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Dialectical behavior therapy as treatment for borderline personality disorder
- Texas A&M University: Dependent Personality Disorder