Personality Disorders Types | Causes | Treatments

A personality disorder is a mental disorder in which the patients experience abnormal and stubborn thinking and feeling patterns. They behave in an unusual way that is against the norms set by society.?

Also, several times people suffering from mental disorders do not realize they are ill. Their thinking and behaviour patterns are natural; instead, they blame others for their problems.

They find it difficult to cope with everyday situations or participate in social gatherings.

This unusual attitude causes relationship problems leading to social isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Causes of Personality Disorders

The exact cause behind the occurrence of mental disorders is not known. However, a few factors tend to intensify the development of personality disorders, like a family history of mental disorders and abusive life during childhood.

These disorders can be cured with the help of medication and talk therapy.

We all know personality is an outcome of a person’s thoughts and behaviour. It is a way he understands himself and views the outside world.?

The major part of the personality is formed during childhood and is dominated by two factors:

Genes:?A person might acquire a few personality traits from parents through inherited genes.

Environment:??It involves the effect of events, relationships with parents and other family members, and surroundings.

So, personality disorder results from a combined effect of genetic and environmental conditions. A person becomes susceptible to a disorder because of genes, and a life event acts as a catalyst leading to the development of the mental illness.

?Different Types of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders can be grouped into three clusters based on the similarity in characteristics and symptoms. Also, sometimes a person might have multiple personality disorders simultaneously.

?Cluster A: Suspicious

Paranoid:?A person with this personality disorder often finds it difficult to trust others and is always suspicious of their intentions.

Schizoid:?A person with this personality disorder shows very little interest in developing personal relationships or social bonds and is perceived as emotionally cold by others.

Schizotypal:?A person with this personality disorder has an illusion to influence others with his thoughts and cannot interpret others’ thoughts and behavior, leading to inappropriate responses.?

Cluster B: Emotional and Impulsive

Antisocial:?A person with this personality disorder can indulge in activities like lying and stealing to manipulate others. Also, he has no regret for his dishonest actions and might be addicted to consuming alcohol and drugs.

Borderline:?A person with this personality disorder often feels isolated and lonely despite family and societal support. He cannot deal with stress, thereby indulging in impulsive behavioural activities like heavy drinking and gambling.

Histrionic:?A person with this personality disorder behaves dramatically to gain attention. He is sensitive to criticism and gets influenced by other people easily.

Narcissistic:?A person with this personality disorder always thinks high of himself compared to others. He constantly boasts about his achievements exaggeratedly. He seldom understands other people’s feelings and is obsessed with self-admiration.

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