Personality disorder: what it is, types, symptoms

Personality disorder is a complex mental disorder that affects how a person perceives themselves, other people, and the world around them. Such conditions are not considered temporary, such as stress, but continue for years. People with personality disorders often find it difficult to interact with people at work and in personal relationships. They face misunderstanding from those around them.

How does personality disorder manifest itself?

Symptoms of personality disorder usually appear in adolescence or early adulthood. Without treatment, they can worsen. Symptoms depend on the type of disorder, but there are common signs:

• Difficulties in relationships.
• Inappropriate reactions to normal situations.
• Inability to adapt to changing conditions.
• Excessive suspicion, anxiety, or impulsiveness.
• Dependence on others, conflict, or withdrawal.
• Frequent mood swings, anxiety, or indifference.

Psychotherapy helps a person better understand their emotions and behavior. Sometimes medication is used to treat anxiety or depression. This condition is not considered a serious mental illness. However, professional help is needed so that a person can live a full life.

Types of personality disorders

There are several types of personality disorders. They differ in their symptoms. They are conventionally divided into three groups. Cluster A - strange or eccentric manifestations:

• Paranoid disorder: excessive suspiciousness. Distrust even of close people, conviction that they want to harm. Touchiness and inability to forgive.
• Schizoid disorder: tendency to isolate oneself and avoid social contact.
• Schizotypal disorder: oddities in thinking and behavior, often resembling mild symptoms of schizophrenia.

Cluster B - emotional and impulsive manifestations. They are more related to the manifestation of feelings, with an increased need for attention. These include the following personality disorders:

• Antisocial disorder: disregard for rules and norms, lack of empathy, no guilt for one's actions. A tendency toward conflict and crime.
• Borderline personality disorder: unstable emotions, impulsiveness, fear of loneliness.
• Histrionic personality disorder: constant craving for attention. They often have a provocative appearance or mannerisms.
• Narcissistic personality disorder: inflated self-esteem, sense of superiority. Need for admiration and recognition. Lack of empathy, tendency to use other people to achieve their goals.

Cluster C consists of anxious and withdrawn people. They experience excessive anxiety in relation to relationships with people or certain actions. The main types of personality disorders of this type are:

• Avoidant personality disorder: fear of rejection, avoidance of social situations.
• Dependent personality disorder: a strong need for support from others. Difficulty making decisions without help from others. Fear of being abandoned, which can lead to tolerating unhealthy relationships.
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: excessive focus on details, perfectionism.

Symptoms detected in time and professional help can significantly reduce their manifestations. It is important not to self-medicate. Psychotherapy, medication, and support from loved ones will help a person with personality disorders lead a full life.