Personality disorder: How to identify and act on these

Personality disorders

Do you know what personality disorders consist of? Do you think you have a mental disorder? Discover the different types of personality disorders and how to identify them.

A personality disorder is one of the mental illnesses that can most affect the lives of those who suffer from it. In this way, these mental illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with the help of mental health professionals. Find out how to identify them and which are the most common.

What is a personality disorder?

Personality is what defines each person’s way of thinking, how he behaves and perceives those around him, as well as being the characteristics that make him stand out from other people. There are different types of personality because each person has been influenced by their genetics, education, experiences, environment, culture, religion…

Although there are different personality traits that define us, the reality is that it does not remain the same throughout our lives. But when talking about a personality disorder, we observe those ways of thinking or relating to the world that deviate from the expectations of our culture, as well as cause anxiety or problems in the functioning of the person who suffers from them.

Generally, a personality disorder affects certain areas of the person’s behavior in a perennial way over time. Mainly, it can be said that this mental illness can distort the perception of the following areas of our life.

way of thinking about yourself and others
emotional responses
Way of relating to other people
Not being able to exercise good behavior control

Types of personality disorders

Personality disorders according to DSM IV are divided into three large groups according to the characteristics that these mental problems present. Normally people who are affected by a personality disorder can present traits of personality disorders within the same group.

Group A

Type A personality disorders are characterized primarily by a tendency to engage in bizarre or eccentric behavior. According to personality psychology, this mental problem often causes people to suffer in their relationships as their attitude may seem peculiar or distant. Within this group of character types we find the following mental illnesses.

1. Paranoid Personality Disorder

This personality disorder is externalized with an attitude of chronic and generalized distrust of other people. So much so that the personality traits of the individual affected by it are usually always suspecting that others are going to deceive him or want to take advantage of them.

2. Schizoid personality disorder

In these types of mental illness, the person isolates himself socially from others and treats other people with indifference. It tends to be more prevalent in men than in women. Individuals with one of these mental disorders are often described as cold, withdrawn, and having great trouble relating to others.

3. Schizotypal personality disorder

This type of personality usually presents a way of speaking and behaving, as well as a very strange appearance. So much so that they also often have problems relating to each other due to the symptoms of this mental disorder.

B Group

Type B personality disorders are characterized by having an erratic or very dramatic attitude towards situations. In this way, personalities who suffer from these types of mental problems have a tendency to experience emotions with much more intensity than normal, causing them to behave impulsively. Among the people who suffer from these personality traits we find the following mental disorders.

4. Antisocial Personality Disorder

Normally, this mental disorder usually appears during childhood, unlike other personality changes that affect behavior. One of these psychiatric disorders usually presents problems due to disregard for rules, social norms and a lack of empathy towards others.

5. Borderline personality disorder

This type of personality disorder presents instability in many aspects of the life of the person who suffers from it. This mental disorder ends up affecting emotions, self-image and interpersonal relationships due to impulsive behavior.

6. Histrionic Personality Disorder

A histrionic and its meaning usually points to those people who have personality changes that make them express too many emotions, as well as try to attract the attention of everyone around them. So much so that this personality disorder causes individuals to behave inappropriately to try to achieve their goals.

7. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissists tend to have a personality related to an excess of ego and self-esteem. These types of character tend to perceive themselves as superior to others, causing them to show a very arrogant attitude towards others. In many cases, these personality traits tend to show emotional fragility.

Group C

Type C personality disorders are mainly characterized by the presence of anxiety. In this way, these character types tend to experience generalized anxiety and fear. It is due to the presence of these mental illnesses that they are affected in a personality disorder.

8. Avoidant Personality Disorder

This mental disorder suffers due to a pattern of social inhibition and avoidance of moments with other people because of the fear that these situations inflict on them. This is because they are not able to defend themselves against criticism or have feelings of inferiority towards others.

9. Dependent Personality Disorder

One of these types of personality disorders usually involves a person’s fear of being alone with themselves. These character types often act to get others to take care of them.

10. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

This type of personality in psychology is characterized by worrying too much about exercising a certain order in everything that is perceived, in addition to an excess of perfection and control of relationships. These mental disorders are often confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) even though they are not the same mental illness.

Symptoms of personality disorders

Despite the fact that there are various types of personality disorders, the reality is that the vast majority usually present common symptoms.

Unstable self-image: A paranoid personality or one who suffers from one of the personality disorders that have been described, usually has a very poorly defined self-image of himself/herself. A person who suffers from a mental disorder has a self-perception that varies depending on the state of mind they have at the moment.
Inconsistencies in values, goals and appearance: The changes in personality are so many that the mentally ill usually ends up constantly changing objectives or perception towards life. So much so that their loved ones may end up being harmed by their attitude.
Insensitivity towards others: The inability to feel empathy is one of the common factors of the character of a person who suffers from one of the mental problems exposed. Although they may feel affection towards others, they do not usually see how their attitude can affect their closest relationships.
Not knowing how to set limits: Limits are another of the most common problems suffered by people with one of these psychiatric illnesses. That is why, in the majority of individuals who suffer from these mental disorders, they tend to have an impulsive and dangerous attitude towards themselves.
Chronic behavior patterns: In any personality disorder, one of the most persistent symptoms is precisely the strange and chronic behavior that people who have a mental disorder tend to present.

These are some of the most persistent symptoms in these diseases of the mind. In the event that you feel identified with any of these personality traits, it is vital to go to a professional psychologist.

Causes of personality disorder

According to specialists, both genetic and environmental factors influence the development of a personality disorder. There are some studies that suggest that genetics may be one of the determinants that facilitate the presence of this mental illness. On the other hand, they have been observed in which there is an association between traumatic events and the presence of one of these types of personality disorders.

Personality Disorder: Treatment

Compared to other mental illnesses or mental problems, there are few studies on how to treat these personality disorders. Even so, psychology professionals try to show some tools to control these personality traits.

Reduce anguish: This mental problem is often accompanied by disorders such as anxiety and depression. For this reason, psychologists usually treat these affectations since they can have many negative consequences for the person who suffers from them.
Help understand the problem: Identifying the problem is one of the first steps in treating personality disorder. Being aware of the attitude that generates discord towards others can help the person to control certain behaviors that affect both himself and his loved ones.
Acting before certain behaviors: When the attitudes or behaviors that affect and cause problems to relate to others have been identified, these situations are practiced to change the way in which they act erroneously.
Modify certain personality traits: There are some types of character of a person that can have negative consequences for their mental or physical health. For this reason, psychologists help to change these personality types those beliefs that harm the self-esteem or self-perception of the person who suffers from it.
Self-care: Taking care of yourself is one of the keys to dealing with any personality disorder or mental illness that comes our way. For this precise reason, physical exercise, healthy eating and learning to be with ourselves is undoubtedly one of the most effective strategies to try to appease these personality disorders.

In all cases in which there is a mental disorder of this caliber, the intervention of a mental health professional is essential. Learning about these mental illnesses and working on mental and physical well-being should be one of the priorities when these types of disorders are detected. The attitude towards them often makes the difference.

Related Posts

• How to get the best gifts for other?
• What to Consider When Planning a Ring Purchase
• 5 BEST HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS REVIEWS 2021
• Top Travel Accessories for Staying Safe
• 7 Characteristics of a Classy Lady