The term "personality disorder" refers to a health problem that is characterized by continuous, all-encompassing, and unpredictable patterns of behavior, thinking, and mood, as well as how one interacts with other people. These habits cause people to suffer from severe distress and/or hinder their capacity to perform.
There are 10 kinds of disorders that affect the personality, all of which has distinct characteristics and signs. Personality is a crucial aspect of defining the person we are as individuals. It's a distinctive mix of characteristics, including attitudes, thoughts, and behavior, and the way we display these characteristics in our interactions with each other and with the world that surrounds us.
Personality disorders can lead to distorted views of the world, bizarre behavior, and stress in various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, and social interactions. People suffering from personality disorders may not realize their disturbing behavior or the negative impact they have on their friends and family members.
What are the types of personality disorders?
Various types of personality disorders are available, each with a distinctive characteristic. The disorders can co-occur, and symptoms may overlap. Disorders of personality can lead to suicide. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from an identifiable mental disorder. The New York Times lists the different types of personality disorders in the following order:
1. Paranoid Personality Disorder
People who suffer from paranoid personality disorder experience the impression that all people are out to treat them poorly. The condition is not likely to develop into complete Psychosis like schizophrenia.
2. Schizoid Personality Disorder
The disorder can cause sufferers to avoid social interaction and become not interested in social cues. The disorder goes beyond introversion. Some introverts are socially inclined.
3. Antisocial Personality Disorder
People suffering from antisocial personality disorder show an obvious disdain for the rights and opinions of others and often commit illegal acts to gain personal advantage.
4. Borderline Personality Disorder
The disorder of Borderline personality causes sufferers to be prone to mood swings and mood fluctuation. Contrary to bipolar disorder, it usually does not occur in phases.
5. Histrionic Personality Disorder
The condition is defined as performing in an emotional or dramatic manner typically in an attempt to attract the attention of.
6. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
The name is derived from the character of Greek mythology, narcissistic personality disorder can cause sufferers to have an overinflated image of themselves or their importance, frequently at the cost of other people.
7. Avoidant Personality Disorder
People suffering from avoidant personality disorders are typically very shy and have feelings of feeling inadequacy. They are extremely reticent to talk about their concerns or share their thoughts.
8. Dependent Personality Disorder
Individuals with a dependent personality disorder may have trouble working without the help or support of their peers.
9. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
This disorder is typically characterized by a need to engage in repetitive behavior and patterns of thought.
What causes a personality disorder?
Personality disorders can be triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors like the family history of mental disorders as well as the environment. Individuals who experience problems with their home lives during childhood and early later in life may develop personality disorders later in life. An insufficient amount of constructive criticism or overly praise can cause narcissism to develop into a disorder. It requires knowledge of the background of a person and their family history to determine the causes of personality disorders but it's not an exact scientific method.
Top 5 causes of personality disorder
There are many variables that may cause the formation of personality disorders. The exact cause behind the disorder isn't ever known, however, research suggests that a mix of environmental, genetic, and social influences could be involved. The most common factors that cause disordered personality include:
Genetics: Research has shown that certain personality disorders and traits tend to be prevalent within families, suggesting that there is some genetic factor in their growth.
Brain structure and chemistry the findings of the research suggest that there are abnormalities in specific areas of the brain, as well as imbalances of brain chemicals can be a contributing factor to the development of personality disorders.
Factors that affect the environment: Trauma or neglect, abuse as well as other adverse childhood experiences could contribute to developing a personality disorder.
Cultural and social influences from culture and society like family dynamics parental styles, parenting styles, as well as social expectations, can be a factor in the development of personality disorders.
Behavior and cognitive aspects: Certain personality disorders can develop through ineffective coping mechanisms and thinking patterns.
It is important to remember that these conditions are not mutually exclusive, and different combinations of them can cause an individual disorder.
How can a personality disorder be treated?
Treatment options can differ based on the severity and type that your disorder of personality is. This could include psychotherapy or medication.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy, can aid in the treatment of personality disorders. In psychotherapy, you and the therapist will talk about your illness along with your thoughts and feelings. It can give you information on how you can manage your symptoms and the behaviors that hinder your everyday life.
There is a variety of psychotherapy. Dialectical therapy can involve sessions in groups and one-on-ones where people learn to handle stress and improve their relationships. Cognitive behavior therapy seeks to show people to modify negative thoughts so that they can be more effective in dealing with everyday problems.
Medication
There aren't any medicines that are approved to treat personality disorders. Certain types of prescription drugs could help in the reduction of personality disorders symptoms, including:
Antidepressants that can alleviate depression anger, impulsivity, or anger
Mood stabilizer that prevents extreme mood swings and decreases anger and irritability.
Antipsychotic medicines often referred to as neuroleptics, may help to reduce symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions.
Anti-anxiety medications may help alleviate anxiety, agitation, and insomnia