What Is a “Personality Disorder”?
Question by Corey: What is a “personality disorder”?
I have heard that term but what are some indicators of someone having a problem like that? Thanks
Best answer:
Answer by julystana77
www.similarminds.com
A personality disorder is a non-psychiatric condition that if you have a lot of – of high percentage of one, use the quizes on this site – could indicate an actual disorder.
Criterion for Personality disorders, it seems, are the thought patterning extracted from disorders without the more physical attributes. For example, Schizoid personality disorder involves the blankness of emotional reaction and lack of social interaction as partially indicative of Schizophrenia.
Answer by space
Personality disorder is a general term for a type of mental illness in which your ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are dysfunctional. There are many specific types of personality disorders.
In general, having a personality disorder means you have a rigid and potentially self-destructive or self-denigrating pattern of thinking and behaving no matter what the situation. This leads to distress in your life or impairment of your ability to go about routine functions at work, school or social situations. 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 your circumstances.
General signs and symptoms that may indicate a personality disorder include:
Frequent mood swings
Stormy relationships
Social isolation
Angry outbursts
Suspicion and mistrust of others
Difficulty making friends
A need for instant gratification
Poor impulse control
Alcohol or substance abuse
The specific types of personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on similar characteristics and symptoms.
Cluster A. These are personality disorders characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior and include:
Paranoid personality disorder:
Distrust and suspicion of others
Believing that others are trying to harm you
Emotional detachment
Hostility
Schizoid personality disorder:
Lack of interest in social relationships
Limited range of emotional expression
Inability to pick up normal social cues
Appearing dull or indifferent to others
Schizotypal personality disorder:
Peculiar dress, thinking, beliefs or behavior
Perceptual alterations, such as those affecting touch
Discomfort in close relationships
Flat emotions or inappropriate emotional responses
Indifference to others
“Magical thinking” — believing you can influence people and events with your thoughts
Believing that messages are hidden for you in public speeches or displays
Cluster B. These are personality disorders characterized by dramatic, overly emotional thinking or behavior and include:
Antisocial (formerly, sociopathic) personality disorder:
Disregard for others
Persistent lying or stealing
Recurring difficulties with the law
Repeatedly violating the rights of others
Aggressive, often violent behavior
Disregard for the safety of self or others
Borderline personality disorder:
Impulsive and risky behavior
Volatile relationships
Unstable mood
Suicidal behavior
Fear of being alone
Histrionic personality disorder
Constantly seeking attention
Excessively emotional
Extreme sensitivity to others’ approval
Unstable mood
Excessive concern with physical appearance
Narcissistic personality disorder:
Believing that you’re better than others
Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
Exaggerating your achievements or talents
Expecting constant praise and admiration
Failing to recognize other people’s emotions and feelings
Cluster C. These are personality disorders characterized by anxious, fearful thinking or behavior and include:
Avoidant personality disorder:
Hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection
Feeling inadequate
Social isolation
Extreme shyness in social situations
Timidity
Dependent personality disorder:
Excessive dependence on others
Submissiveness toward others
A desire to be taken care of
Tolerance of poor or abusive treatment
Urgent need to start a new relationship when one has ended
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:
Preoccupation with orderliness and rules
Extreme perfectionism
Desire to be in control of situations
Inability to discard broken or worthless objects
Inflexibility
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder isn’t the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.
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