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what is personality disorder

Overview

A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people. This causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities, work and school.

In some cases, you may not realize that you have a personality disorder because your way of thinking and behaving seems natural to you. And you may blame others for the challenges you face.

Personality disorders usually begin in the teenage years or early adulthood. There are many types of personality disorders. Some types may become less obvious throughout middle age.

Symptoms

Types of personality disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on similar characteristics and symptoms. Many people with one personality disorder also have signs and symptoms of at least one additional personality disorder. It's not necessary to exhibit all the signs and symptoms listed for a disorder to be diagnosed.

Cluster A personality disorders

Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior. They include paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.

Paranoid personality disorderPervasive distrust and suspicion of others and their motivesUnjustified belief that others are trying to harm or deceive youUnjustified suspicion of the loyalty or trustworthiness of othersHesitancy to confide in others due to unreasonable fear that others will use the information against youPerception of innocent remarks or nonthreatening situations as personal insults or attacksAngry or hostile reaction to perceived slights or insultsTendency to hold grudgesUnjustified, recurrent suspicion that spouse or sexual partner is unfaithfulSchizoid personality disorderLack of interest in social or personal relationships, preferring to be aloneLimited range of emotional expressionInability to take pleasure in most activitiesInability to pick up normal social cuesAppearance of being cold or indifferent to othersLittle or no interest in having sex with another personSchizotypal personality disorderPeculiar dress, thinking, beliefs, speech or behaviorOdd perceptual experiences, such as hearing a voice whisper your nameFlat emotions or inappropriate emotional responsesSocial anxiety and a lack of or discomfort with close relationshipsIndifferent, inappropriate or suspicious response to others"Magical thinking" — believing you can influence people and events with your thoughtsBelief that certain casual incidents or events have hidden messages meant only for youCluster B personality disorders

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.

Antisocial personality disorderDisregard for others' needs or feelingsPersistent lying, stealing, using aliases, conning othersRecurring problems with the lawRepeated violation of the rights of othersAggressive, often violent behaviorDisregard for the safety of self or othersImpulsive behaviorConsistently irresponsibleLack of remorse for behaviorBorderline personality disorderImpulsive and risky behavior, such as having unsafe sex, gambling or binge eatingUnstable or fragile self-imageUnstable and intense relationshipsUp and down moods, often as a reaction to interpersonal stressSuicidal behavior or threats of self-injuryIntense fear of being alone or abandonedOngoing feelings of emptinessFrequent, intense displays of angerStress-related paranoia that comes and goesHistrionic personality disorderConstantly seeking attentionExcessively emotional, dramatic or sexually provocative to gain attentionSpeaks dramatically with strong opinions, but few facts or details to back them upEasily influenced by othersShallow, rapidly changing emotionsExcessive concern with physical appearanceThinks relationships with others are closer than they really areNarcissistic personality disorderBelief that you're special and more important than othersFantasies about power, success and attractivenessFailure to recognize others' needs and feelingsExaggeration of achievements or talentsExpectation of constant praise and admirationArroganceUnreasonable expectations of favors and advantages, often taking advantage of othersEnvy of others or belief that others envy youCluster C personality disorders

Cluster C personality disorders are characterized by anxious, fearful thinking or behavior. They include avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Avoidant personality disorderToo sensitive to criticism or rejectionFeeling inadequate, inferior or unattractiveAvoidance of work activities that require interpersonal contactSocially inhibited, timid and isolated, avoiding new activities or meeting strangersExtreme shyness in social situations and personal relationshipsFear of disapproval, embarrassment or ridiculeDependent personality disorderExcessive dependence on others and feeling the need to be taken care ofSubmissive or clingy behavior toward othersFear of having to provide self-care or fend for yourself if left aloneLack of self-confidence, requiring excessive advice and reassurance from others to make even small decisionsDifficulty starting or doing projects on your own due to lack of self-confidenceDifficulty disagreeing with others, fearing disapprovalTolerance of poor or abusive treatment, even when other options are availableUrgent need to start a new relationship when a close one has endedObsessive-compulsive personality disorderPreoccupation with details, orderliness and rulesExtreme perfectionism, resulting in dysfunction and distress when perfection is not achieved, such as feeling unable to finish a project because you don't meet your own strict standardsDesire to be in control of people, tasks and situations, and inability to delegate tasksNeglect of friends and enjoyable activities because of excessive commitment to work or a projectInability to discard broken or worthless objectsRigid and stubbornInflexible about morality, ethics or valuesTight, miserly control over budgeting and spending money

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.

When to see a doctor

If you have any signs or symptoms of a personality disorder, see your doctor or other primary care professional or a mental health professional. Untreated, personality disorders can cause significant problems in your life that may get worse without treatment.

Causes

Personality is the combination of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that makes you unique. It's the way you view, understand and relate to the outside world, as well as how you see yourself. Personality forms during childhood, shaped through an interaction of:

Your genes. Certain personality traits may be passed on to you by your parents through inherited genes. These traits are sometimes called your temperament.Your environment. This involves the surroundings you grew up in, events that occurred, and relationships with family members and others.

Personality disorders are thought to be caused by a combination of these genetic and environmental influences. Your genes may make you vulnerable to developing a personality disorder, and a life situation may trigger the actual development.

Risk factors

Although the precise cause of personality disorders is not known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering personality disorders, including:

Family history of personality disorders or other mental illnessAbusive, unstable or chaotic family life during childhoodBeing diagnosed with childhood conduct disorderVariations in brain chemistry and structureComplications

Personality disorders can significantly disrupt the lives of both the affected person and those who care about that person. Personality disorders may cause problems with relationships, work or school, and can lead to social isolation or alcohol or drug abuse.