A personality is part of what makes a person uniquely themself. It’s a set of traits made up by a blend of genetics and environmental factors, and they dictate how a person behaves and interacts with the world and others. Some personalities are more adaptable than others, allowing people to easily shift between social situations.
When a personality develops to be more rigid, it can be difficult for that person to function in everyday situations. This may present as being antisocial, paranoid, overly emotional, or anxious. In serious cases, this may be a personality disorder.
Signs of a Personality Disorder
Simply feeling antisocial or getting a bad feeling about a person likely isn’t due to a personality disorder. Extensive diagnostic evaluation by a licensed mental health professional is necessary. If you suspect you or a loved one may have a personality disorder, some signs and symptoms may include:
- Unhealthy patterns of thinking
- Extreme emotions
- Unpredictable behavior
- Behavior that goes against societal norms
- Struggles to create and maintain relationships
- Difficulty managing emotions, like sadness and anger
- Lack of self-awareness
- Struggles with self-image
- Self-isolation
Types of Personality Disorders
There are cluster A, B, and C personality disorders. Professionals define each cluster by different patterns of thinking and behavior. Not all diagnoses live in isolation, though. Many individuals may show mixed traits, which is why it’s important to seek professional help and maintain a clear record of symptoms and observations.
Cluster A Personality Disorders: Disorders where an individual has an increased level of suspicion of others or a lack of interest in others.
Cluster B Personality Disorders: Disorders where an individual has dramatic emotions, overly emotional thinking, and/or unpredictable behavior.
Cluster C Personality Disorders: Disorders where individuals have anxious thinking patterns and behaviors.
Most Common Personality Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is a condition in which people are preoccupied with perfection and control. This can present with repetitive behaviors, intrusive thoughts, and high anxiety. People with OCPD create “rules” for themselves. These rules lead to inflexibility in life, making it difficult to conform to societal norms and establish a stable life.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is a mental illness where people experience emotional instability. This leads to impulsive behavior, rocky relationships, and struggles with self-image. Individuals with BDP tend to have inappropriate anger, fear of abandonment, and a chronic feeling of emptiness. Additionally, they are at a higher risk of self-harm and difficulty functioning in their day-to-day lives.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
People with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) lack empathy and remorse for others. They may not be capable of feeling guilt and oftentimes find themselves in trouble with the law or higher-ups due to a lack of regard for rules. At the same time, they are charming and able to use manipulative tactics to get others to do what they want.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a personality disorder where individuals experience an extremely high level of self-importance. A narcissistic personality presents as confident, demanding attention and admiration. However, behind this facade lies insecurity and uncertainty about their self-worth. This leads to strained relationships across work and home as they feel disappointment when not awarded special treatment.
Mood Disorder vs. Personality Disorder: What’s the Difference?
It’s not uncommon for mental health disorders to show similar or mixed traits. Mood disorders and personality disorders can resemble each other. However, the two are different as characterized by how they impact behavior.
Mood disorders impact a person’s emotions and how they perceive those feelings. Brain chemistry is responsible for extreme highs and lows. Some people are born this way, while others can develop it.
Personality disorders affect a person’s thought and behavior patterns. It impacts how people interact with others and is often triggered by traumatic events, typically in childhood.
Treatment for Personality Disorders
Treatment is available for those struggling with a personality disorder. Through consistent therapy and medication management, individuals can achieve a sense of normalcy. During their time in treatment, individuals will spend the majority of their time in individual and group therapy sessions. Some therapeutic methods used to treat personality disorders are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Seeing a CBT therapist for mental health gives patients the space to identify, understand, and reframe negative ways of thinking that contribute to their diagnosis.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): When a patient works with a DBT therapist, they focus on increasing emotional resilience, minimizing self-destructive behaviors, and improving social skills.
Additionally, patients in outpatient mental health treatment participate in other skills training and psychoeducation. By teaching patients coping skills and how to leverage them in everyday situations, patients gain a sense of empowerment over their diagnosis and develop better executive functioning.
Change is Possible with Personality Disorder Treatment in North Palm Beach
Getting a proper diagnosis and gaining a complete understanding of what that means for you or your loved one is essential to making a change. At Milton Recovery Center, we offer holistic outpatient mental health treatment to help patients create lives filled with purpose. Our team values respect and honors what each individual has been through. To learn more about how we can provide support on your journey, contact us today.
