Have you ever met someone who behaves in ways that seem bizarre and incomprehensible? They may have a personality disorder. Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that can affect an individual’s emotional, social, and occupational functioning. The DSM-5 recognizes ten different types, each with its own characteristics and challenges. Understanding these disorders can help us to better understand and support individuals who are struggling with them.
Different Types of Personality Problems
- Paranoid Personality Disorder: People with this order are often distrustful and suspicious of others, even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing.
- Schizoid Personality Disorder: Those with this disorder have a lack of interest in social relationships, a preference for solitary activities, and limited emotional expression.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder: People with this disorder have odd or eccentric behaviour, beliefs, and thinking, and difficulty with social interactions.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder: Those with this disorder may be characterised by a disregard for the rights of others, and a lack of empathy and remorse. Individuals with this disorder may engage in criminal behaviour and have a history of impulsivity and aggression.
- Borderline Personality Disorder: This is characterised by intense and unstable emotions, difficulty regulating emotions and behaviour, and problems with self-image. Individuals with this disorder may engage in impulsive and self-destructive behaviours.
- Histrionic Personality Disorder: People with this disorder have a need for attention and praise, display dramatic and attention-seeking behaviour, and have a tendency to exaggerate emotions and relationships.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Those with this disorder are known for a strong sense of entitlement, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy towards others. Individuals with this disorder may have an exaggerated sense of self-importance and seek out attention and praise.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder: Individuals with this disorder have social anxiety and a fear of rejection, leading to avoidance of social situations and a reluctance to take risks.
- Dependent Personality Disorder: Characterised by a fear of abandonment and a need to be taken care of by others. Individuals with this disorder may be passive and submissive, and have difficulty making decisions.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: People with OCD have a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Individuals with this disorder may be rigid and inflexible, and have difficulty relaxing or adapting to change.
How Do These Problems Come About?
Many factors can influence the development of personality disorders including genetic factors, childhood experiences such as abuse or neglect, and environmental factors such as cultural and societal influence.
Problems that may arise with personality disorders can include difficulties with interpersonal relationships, work, and overall functioning. They may experience emotional instability, impulsivity, and difficulty regulating their behaviour and emotions.
Positive of Personality and Behavior
Strengths that come from personality traits are often specific to each individual and can vary depending on the disorder. However, with proper treatment and management, individuals with personality disorders can develop skills and strengths that can help them to cope with their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. Some possible coping skills that can help manage personality problems and improve relationships with others include developing emotional regulation skills, practising effective communication, and seeking support from loved ones or a mental health professional.
How Personality Problems Affect Relationships
Personality disorders can have a significant impact on relationships, regardless of the status of said relationship.
Some ways that personality disorders affect relationships are:
- Difficulty with emotional regulation: People with personality disorders may experience intense and turbulent emotions, which can be detrimental for interpersonal relationships. They may struggle to control their emotions, leading to emotional outbursts or sudden mood swings, which can be difficult for others to understand and cope with.
- Problems with interpersonal relationships: People with personality disorders often have difficulties in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with others. They may struggle with empathy, social skills, and understanding boundaries, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings in their relationships.
- Fear of abandonment: Many people with personality disorders have a fear of abandonment, which can impact their relationships. They may become clingy or possessive in relationships, which results in codependency or pushing away their partner.
- Narcissism: Narcissistic personality disorder is characterised by an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. People with this disorder tend be self-centred, demanding, and critical of others, which can strain relationships.
- Antisocial behaviour: Antisocial personality disorder is characterised by a lack of concern for the rights of others and a lack of remorse toward negative behaviour. People with this disorder may be impulsive and take risks, including lying, stealing, or manipulation, which can damage their relationships.
How to Therapy Can Help Grow the Positives Through the Negatives
Therapy can be helpful for individuals with personality disorders by providing them with tools and strategies to manage their symptoms, improve their relationships, and develop healthy coping skills. Different types of therapy may be used, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Individuals should seek out a therapist for help with personality disorders because a mental health professional can provide specialised treatment and support for individuals with these conditions. Therapists can also help individuals to develop effective coping skills, improve their relationships, and improve their overall quality of life.
How Rogerian Psychology Centre Can Help?
Our psychologists and counsellors are experienced and trained in handling a variety personality problems especially, borderline personality and other types of cluster B personality. We focus on helping individuals build better relationships for themselves, become grounded, and able to identify some of their maladaptive behaviours that are influenced by the maladaptive perception on reality.
The willingness to work through things is all you need. Give us a call today!