Personality Disorders
Personality disorders can be manifested in different forms, however, usually people may display symptoms from different personality disorders listed below:
We all have our unique patterns of personality traits, behaviors and social interactions. However, when these patterns of behavior, mood, interpersonal relationships, and impulsiveness become rigid, problematic and cause distress and impairment in different aspects of life such as work and relationships, then we may be dealing with a personality disorder. Personality disorders are longstanding and the onset can be traced back to childhood or teenage years.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Or BPD is characterized by difficulties regulating one’s emotions; emotional instability; impulsivity; for some inability to ask directly for help as such manipulation may be applied; difficulty identifying, setting and reinforcing one’s boundaries and/or the one of others; difficulties maintain long standing relationships or experiencing constant disputes in interpersonal relationships. People with borderline personality disorder display self-harming behaviors such as cutting, as a form of coping with emotional pain, which of course makes the problem worse as they usually feel embarrassment and shame.
Studies show that childhood abuse, mostly sexual abuse, increases the risk for BPD.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
The word histrionic means dramatic or theatrical and refers to the fact that people with this disorder have intense need to be noticed and receive attention, as such they often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention.
Some of the common characteristics are:
- Emotional instability
- Distorted self-image
- Need to be in the center of attention
- Dressing provocatively
- Inappropriately and overtly seductive or flirtatious behavior
- Demonstrating exaggerated emotions and expressions as though performing before an audience
- Heightened concern with physical appearance
- Easily influenced by others
- Impulsive
- Easily bored by routine
- Self-centered
- Threats of suicide for attention or to manipulate to get what they want
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder, also referred to as psychopath or sociopath, is characterized by a pattern of a disregard for other people’s rights, often pushing the limits and violating other people’s rights for their own benefits.
Some of the common characteristics are:
- They lack empathy
- They are callous and condescending
- They have an inflated and arrogant self-appraisal
- They are excessively opinionated
- They may be perceived as self-assured, or cocky.
- They tend to display a superficial charm
- They may use technical jargon to impress someone
A person with antisocial personality may be very charming and the abusive behavior very subtle. People with Antisocial personality disorder fee no remorse or regret for their hurtful behaviors. It is seldom for these individuals to seek help. If people with antisocial personality see a psychologist, it is usually either court order or to manipulate others (partner, judge, etc.).
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Also called OCPD, is characterized by obsessive and compulsive personality patterns that not only control the sufferer but also people around them, as they have excessive need to exercise control in various aspects of their life, which can make life for themselves and others very rigid and difficult.
Most common features are:
- Rigid rules and regulations
- An overpowering need for order
- Perfectionism that interferes with starting and/or finishing tasks
- Reluctance to yield or give responsibilities and as such control to others
- Excessive commitment to work that impairs social and family activities
- Fixation with lists, rules and minor details
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder or NPD is characterized by an inflated sense of self- importance and a profound need for admiration. They believe that they’re superior to others and display little regard for other people’s feelings.
Some common characteristics include:
- Feeling superior to others
- Seeking power, success and attractiveness
- Expecting constant praise and admiration
- Exaggerating achievements or talents
- Disregard for other people’s emotions and feelings
- Expecting obedience with their ideas and plans
- Taking advantage of others
- Condescending
- Jealousy
- Believing that others are jealous of them
- Unable keeping healthy relationships
- Aiming for unrealistically high goals
- Easily hurt and rejected
They may appear tough-minded, but in reality they are overcompensating for their low and fragile self-esteem.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Avoidant personality disorder is a persistent long standing form of social anxiety disorder (social phobia), where the person with avoidant personality exhibits a general pattern of social inhibition, feelings of defectiveness, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction. Individuals afflicted with the disorder tend to describe themselves as ill at ease, anxious, lonely, and generally feel unwanted and isolated from others.
An individual diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder demonstrates avoidance in:
- Occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact
- Getting involved with people unless they are certain of being liked.
- Or restraint within romantic relationships
- Or being reserved in new interpersonal situations
Dependent Personality Disorder
People with a dependent personality disorder are emotionally dependent on other people and display excessive people-pleasing behaviors out of fear of losing them or not being liked by them. They tend to be needy, passive, and clinging as they are terrified by the idea of being abandoned.
Common characteristics are:
- Indecisiveness, even about the most mundane situations like what to wear, thus they constantly seek reassurance of others.
- Avoidance and fear of responsibilities, thus their displayed passivity and helplessness keeps them dependent on a spouse or friend.
- Fear of abandonment keeps them in unhealthy relationships and should their partner decide to end the relationship they move right into another one.
- Oversensitivity to disapproval and criticism.
- Pleasing others for fear of losing support or approval.
- Fear of being alone.
- Placing the needs of their caregivers above their own.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
People with this personality disorder have a tendency to mistrust others and are suspicious without sufficient basis that others intend to harm, exploit, or deceive them. They are also reluctant to confide in others as they constantly fear that the information will be used maliciously against them. They may read into benign remarks and consistently bear grudges. They are also constantly preoccupied with doubts about their partner’s fidelity.
