Types of Personality Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) lists 10 separate personality disorders. Each disorder has a specific set of symptoms to distinguish it from the others.
- Avoidant personality disorder:Extreme sensitivity to criticism, feelings of inadequacy, and/or extreme shyness
- Schizotypal personality disorder:Distorted thinking, odd behavior, excessive social anxiety, discomfort with close relationships
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD):Intense emotions, impulsivity, poor self-image, intense anger, feelings of emptiness, unstable personal relationships
- Schizoid personality disorder:Lack of emotion, detachment from social relationships
- Antisocial personality disorder:Impulsivity, excessive lying, failure to conform to social norms, a pattern of violating the rights of others
- Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD):Sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, need for admiration, high sense of self-importance
- Dependent personality disorder: Clinginess, submissive behavior, intense need to feel cared for
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:Intense occupation with perfection, order, and control
- Histrionic personality disorder:Exaggerated or rapidly shifting emotions, attention-seeking behavior, excessive emotion, need to be the center of attention
- Paranoid personality disorder:Extremely suspicious of others, inability to trust other people, belief that other people are spiteful
Multiple personality disorder (MPD) isn’t on this list because it’s no longer considered a personality disorder. MPD is also an outdated term, as the condition is now known as dissociative identity disorder (DID). 4 People with DID may benefit from some of the same treatments as people with personality disorders, however.
What Causes a Personality Disorder?
Scientists don’t know exactly what causes personality disorders, but they believe childhood trauma and genetics both play a role. 5 Children who experience physical or verbal abuse are much more likely to develop personality disorders than children without a history of trauma.
Fortunately, just one positive relationship with a teacher, family member, or another trusted adult may limit the negative effects of trauma, reducing an individual’s risk of developing one of these disorders. Researchers have also identified genetic variations that may play a role in the development of NPD, BPD, and other mental health conditions.
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How to Treat a Personality Disorder
Medication may help with depression and anxiety, but talk therapy is the most effective personality disorder treatment currently available. 6 Therapists help people with these disorders identify problematic thoughts and emotions, giving them an opportunity to make positive changes. One of the main goals of therapy is to reduce the distress associated with having a personality disorder.
Talk therapy is also helpful for modifying harmful personality traits, making positive behavior changes, and helping the individual understand that other people aren’t the cause of their problems. Depending on what type of disorder a person has, their therapist may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy, or another therapeutic approach.
Why Are Personality Disorders Difficult to Treat?
Many people with these disorders see nothing wrong with their behavior, so they’re not motivated to seek professional help. They also tend to believe that other people are the cause of their problems, which leads them to cast blame instead of trying to change their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
People with personality disorders also have a hard time getting along with people. Even if they do seek help, they may refuse to accept recommendations from a therapist or other mental health professional. Some people even drop out of treatment. 7
How to Know If You Have a Personality Disorder
To diagnose a personality disorder, a medical professional must perform a physical exam and psychiatric evaluation. 8 The physical exam helps rule out medical problems that can lead to concerning behavioral changes, such as brain tumors and dementia. A psychiatric evaluation is a detailed discussion of the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
In some cases, a medical professional uses a questionnaire to help identify the patient’s symptoms and narrow down potential causes. Medical professionals also use the DSM-5 to determine if an individual’s symptoms fit a specific diagnosis.
How to Deal With a Personality Disorder Diagnosis
It can be difficult to come to terms with a personality disorder diagnosis. One of the best ways to cope is to learn as much as possible about the disorder. Learning about the diagnosis makes it easier to recognize when symptoms are interfering with work, school, or relationships.
Self-care is also essential, as it can help people with these disorders feel more grounded. Meditating, getting massages, and doing yoga are all good ways to relieve frustration and loneliness. These self-care activities are also helpful for relieving anxiety associated with a personality disorder.
How to Help a Loved One With a Personality Disorder
Compassion and respect go a long way when it comes to helping a loved one with a personality disorder. If they have a crisis, it’s also important to be patient and listen carefully to their needs. Rather than focusing on the disorder, it’s helpful to focus on the individual’s positive attributes and let them know when they’re making progress. That said, it’s also important for loved ones to set firm boundaries. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, so it’s important to set limits and refuse to tolerate hurtful behavior.
Sources
- https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorder
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6818303
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568768
- https://www.apa.org/topics/personality-disorders/causes
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9636-personality-disorders-overview
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/mar04/treatment
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354468
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FAQs
What are the 12 types of personality disorders? ›
- Antisocial personality disorder.
- Avoidant personality disorder.
- Borderline personality disorder.
- Dependent personality disorder.
- Histrionic personality disorder.
- Narcissistic personality disorder.
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
- Paranoid personality disorder.
- Paranoid personality disorder. ...
- Schizoid personality disorder. ...
- Schizotypal personality disorder. ...
- Antisocial personality disorder. ...
- Borderline personality disorder. ...
- Histrionic personality disorder. ...
- Narcissistic personality disorder. ...
- Avoidant personality disorder.
The specific personality disorders are: paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, dissocial, emotionally unstable (borderline type and impulsive type), histrionic, narcissistic, anankastic, anxious (avoidant) and dependent.
What are the 20 types of mental disorders? ›- Anxiety disorders.
- Behavioural and emotional disorders in children.
- Bipolar affective disorder.
- Depression.
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders.
- Eating disorders.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Paranoia.
- Anxiety Disorders. ...
- Depression. ...
- Bipolar Disorder. ...
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ...
- Schizophrenia. ...
- Eating Disorders. ...
- Disruptive behaviour and dissocial disorders. ...
- Neurodevelopmental disorders.
Cluster B personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder. These tend to be the least common disorders but are often the most challenging to treat.
What is the #1 diagnosed personality disorder? ›By some estimates, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is the most common personality disorder. Around 1 in 100 individuals have OCPD, and it is diagnosed in twice as many men as women. OCPD is different from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Berrill explains.
What are the big six personality disorders? ›Also proposed for DSM-5 was the retention of six personality disorder types (ie, borderline, antisocial, schizotypal, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, and avoidant) that would have been diagnosed in large part by a list of maladaptive personality traits,4 consistent with the FFM prototype matching approach developed ...
What are the 10 personality disorders the DSM-5 recognizes? ›- Paranoid personality disorder. ...
- Schizoid personality disorder. ...
- Schizotypal disorder. ...
- Antisocial personality disorder. ...
- Borderline personality disorder. ...
- Histrionic personality disorder. ...
- Narcissistic personality disorder. ...
- Avoidant personality disorder.
Type As can also be dangerous to narcissists
Although they can be targeted, type A people can also become a narcissist's worst nightmare. One of the most important defenses against dark personalities is having strong boundaries yourself, and type A people are usually aware they have the right to build them.
What are some uncommon personality disorders? ›
- Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) ...
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. ...
- Histrionic Personality Disorder. ...
- Autocannibalism. ...
- Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. ...
- Alien Hand Syndrome. ...
- Capgras Syndrome. ...
- Apotemnophilia.
There are 10 specific types of personality disorders in the DSM-5-TR. Personality disorders are long-term patterns of behavior and inner experiences that differ significantly from what is expected. They affect at least two of these areas: Way of thinking about oneself and others.
What personality disorder has no empathy? ›Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is associated with an assortment of characteristics that undermine interpersonal functioning. A lack of empathy is often cited as the primary distinguishing feature of NPD.
What is a Cluster B personality? ›Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior. They include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
What are the top 5 worst mental disorders? ›- Anxiety disorders. This is actually a group of disorders. ...
- Bipolar affective disorder. ...
- Depression. ...
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders. ...
- Eating disorders. ...
- Paranoia. ...
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. ...
- Psychosis.
Mood disorders (major depressive disorder, mania, and dysthymic disorder), anxiety disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), alcohol use disorder, illicit drug use disorder, intermittent ...
What are the 5 most rare mental disorders? ›- Delusional Disorder. A delusion is a fixed but incorrect belief based on their interpretation of reality. ...
- Related Issues. According to the APA, delusional disorder may affect . ...
- Conversion Disorder. ...
- Related issues. ...
- Selective Mutism. ...
- Related Issues. ...
- Postpartum Psychosis. ...
- Related Issues.
Currently psychiatrists tend to use a system of diagnosis which identifies ten types of personality disorder. These are grouped into three categories.
What are the top common mental disorders ever? ›- Depression. Impacting an estimated 300 million people, depression is the most-common mental disorder and generally affects women more often than men. ...
- Anxiety. ...
- Bipolar Affective Disorder. ...
- Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses. ...
- Dementia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 1 in every 5 Americans is currently living with a mental illness. Of those, the three most common diagnoses are anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is the saddest personality disorder? ›
Depressive personality disorder was defined through its pervasiveness. For the diagnosis to had been considered, feelings of gloom, guilt, and worry, as well as beliefs of inadequacy and worthlessness, had to have appeared at different periods of the individual's life, starting from early adulthood.
What are the darkest personality disorders? ›Psychologists have identified three traits that make up the sinister-sounding "Dark Triad": narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy.
What is the most painful personality disorder? ›Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
What is the new name for personality disorder? ›Emotional Regulation Disorder and Emotional Intensity Disorder are more accurate terms because they reflect the real symptoms associated with the disorder: emotional dysregulation, impulsive behavior, and cognitive dysregulation.
What can be confused with narcissism? ›Based on overlapping symptoms, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are often mistaken for one another.
What is the rare multiple personality disorder? ›Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare psychiatric disorder diagnosed in about 1.5% of the global population. This disorder is often misdiagnosed and often requires multiple assessments for an accurate diagnosis. Patients often present with self-injurious behavior and suicide attempts.
What is the most common feature of all personality disorders? ›Some general signs of people with a personality disorder include: Their behavior is inconsistent, frustrating and confusing to loved ones and other people they interact with. They may have issues understanding realistic and acceptable ways to treat others and behave around them.
What is a Alogia? ›Some people are naturally quiet and don't say much. But if you have a serious mental illness, brain injury, or dementia, talking might be hard. This lack of conversation is called alogia, or “poverty of speech.”
How can you tell if someone has a personality disorder? ›- frequent mood swings.
- extreme dependence on other people.
- narcissism (extreme vanity)
- stormy personal relationships.
- social isolation.
- angry outbursts.
- suspicion and mistrust of others.
- difficulty making friends.
The DSM-5 chapter on anxiety disorder no longer includes obsessive-compulsive disorder (which is included with the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders) or posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder (which is included with the trauma- and stressor-related disorders).
Which personality disorders was removed from DSM-5? ›
To address the problem of excessive comorbidity, the DSM-5 Personality and Personality Disorders Work Group recommended reducing the number of specific personality disorder diagnoses from 10 to 5 by eliminating paranoid, schizoid, histrionic, narcissistic, and dependent personality disorders.
What are the new personality disorders in the DSM-5? ›- Adjustment Disorder.
- Agoraphobia.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder.
- Borderline Personality Disorder.
- Childhood ADHD.
- Dissociative Identity Disorder.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
- Narcolepsy.
It comes hand-in-hand with this that narcissists hate being criticised or called out. Which is exactly why there's one word in particular narcissistic people cannot stand: "no".
Who do narcissists fear the most? ›Although narcissists act superior, entitled and boastful, underneath their larger-than-life facade lies their greatest fear: That they are ordinary. For narcissists, attention is like oxygen. Narcissists believe only special people get attention.
What is the easiest mental illness to treat? ›Sometimes anxiety disorders can cause fear so intense it totally disables its victims. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses, and they are also the most treatable.
What is the least studied personality disorder? ›NPD is one of the least studied personality disorders. It appears to be prevalent, highly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, and associated with significant psychosocial disability. NPD is difficult to treat, and can complicate the treatment of co-occurring disorders.
What is Diogenes syndrome? ›Diogenes syndrome (DS) is a behavioral disorder of the elderly. Symptoms include living in extreme squalor, a neglected physical state, and unhygienic conditions.
What mental illness makes you not take responsibility for your actions? ›People with ASPD may break the law or cause physical or emotional harm to the people around them. They may disregard consequences or refuse to take responsibility for their actions. ASPD is one of many personality disorders. Personality disorders affect the way someone thinks or behaves.
What triggers a person with borderline personality disorder? ›Separations, disagreements, and rejections—real or perceived—are the most common triggers for symptoms. A person with BPD is highly sensitive to abandonment and being alone, which brings about intense feelings of anger, fear, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and very impulsive decisions.
What is the male attention addiction disorder? ›Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition marked by unstable emotions, a distorted self-image and an overwhelming desire to be noticed. People with HPD often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention.
What personality disorder has no emotional intelligence? ›
Alexithymia is a condition where a person has difficulties distinguishing emotional cues. Not only are they unable to name their emotions, but they also suffer from a lack of emotions. Alexithymia is caused by childhood trauma, brain injuries, or stroke.
What is a dark empath? ›Dark empathy is characterized by emotional distance disguised as charm and understanding. It is usually motivated by personal gain. Dark empathy is related to the dark triad personality traits. The dark triad refers to the malevolent personality types of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.
What mental illness is extreme selfishness? ›Narcissistic personality disorder involves a pattern of self-centered, arrogant thinking and behavior, a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration. Others often describe people with NPD as cocky, manipulative, selfish, patronizing, and demanding.
What is an edgelord personality disorder? ›The word has taken hold to refer to one who makes wildly dark and exaggerated statements (usually on an internet forum) with the intent of shocking others. There is usually a tone of nihilism to such remarks, the kind that might be flagged by a counselor as anti-social behavior.
Which personality disorder is manipulative? ›One of the most common ways of characterizing patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is that they are manipulative. Clinical usage of the term varies widely but clearly carries a pejorative meaning.
What is cluster C personality type? ›Cluster C personality disorders share underlying traits of anxiety and fear. Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Symptoms of these conditions can be managed with the support of a mental health professional.
What is the most well known personality disorder? ›BPD is currently the most commonly diagnosed personality disorder. You can read more about it on our pages on borderline personality disorder (BPD).
What is Type B personality disorder? ›Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior. They include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Which personality disorders have a favorite person? ›Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by difficulties with emotional regulation and unstable personal relationships. Many people with BPD have a “favorite person” — this is the person they rely on.
What is the rarest personality disorder in the world? ›If you happened to fall into the INFJ personality type, you're a rare breed; only 1.5 percent of the general population fits into that category, making it the rarest personality type in the world.