Personality Disorders

Understanding Personality Disorders

Types and Characteristics

There are ten specific types of Personality Disorders. They are usually long-term patterns of thought, feelings, and behaviors that differ markedly from what would be expected in most people. The pattern of behavior and thought begins during early adolescence or young adulthood and typically leads to problems or distress later on in life.

Causes and Risk Factors

It can affect anyone at any time in their lives, but certain factors may increase the odds of developing a disorder. These factors are either genetic, environmental, or learned. In general, people who are more intelligent tend to get themselves into trouble with personality disorders because they are likely to have a higher chance of developing problems compared to others.

Personality disorders tend to have a genetic component as well as a mental or physical component. These can differ in intensity, severity, or the level of distress that an individual may feel. Personality disorders, in general, are the result of either a chemical imbalance within the brain or a combination of a chemical imbalance and mental disorders. Often, people with a high degree of personality disorder suffer from anxiety or depression as well.

Traits and Behaviors

While the definition of an individual’s personality disorder may vary between different researchers, some general traits of a personality disorder include irritability, aggression, impulsivity, selfishness, and a lack of empathy or a desire to share. Certain behaviors are considered “antisocial,” “criminal,” and are classified as personality disorders in a very serious fashion.

Treatment Options

If you think that you may have a personality disorder, it is important to seek treatment. The treatment of a personality disorder is highly dependent upon the cause. Medications can help, however, psychotherapy sessions, group therapy, and individual therapy can also be effective. Depending on the severity of the disorder, different treatments may be available.

It is important to remember that personality disorders are often the result of a chemical imbalance within the brain. If a chemical imbalance is not corrected, this will lead to personality disorders in the future. Medication may help to treat these disorders, but only if a definite cause is discovered.

Seeking Professional Help

Many people find it helpful to see a professional if they believe they have personality disorders. In most cases, a trained professional will be able to determine the actual cause of the disorder and what type of treatment is best suited to correct it. Sometimes, medications may be required, and many times, psychotherapy sessions and group therapy may be necessary.

Classifications and Diagnoses

While this disorders may be an unfortunate part of a person’s life, there are solutions available. There are several different types of personality disorders and several different treatments that can help.

Although there are no absolute criteria for what constitutes a personality disorder, certain characteristics apply more frequently to some people than others. This has led to many different classifications within the larger umbrella known as Personality Disorders. Clinicians and researchers are still searching for the most effective ways to diagnose and classify personality disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders currently divides personality disorders into at least three different “clusters.” These include:

Antipsychotic Disorders

There are medications that may help with the symptoms of impulsivity. These include clozapine, risperdal, olanzapine, quetiapine, and pimozide. Individuals who suffer from these symptoms often respond to these medications.

Bipolar Disorders

Mood stabilizers may help manage some of the bipolar symptoms such as mania. These medications, however, cannot prevent episodes of mania or depression that are some of the other Personality Disorders. Individuals with bipolar may require a lot of care and assistance to remain stable. Psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, family therapy, and medications may be necessary to treat this condition.

Eating Disorders

Many times, individuals who suffer from these Disorders do not realize they have a problem until a physical symptom arises. These can include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and overeating. Anorexia can lead to serious medical complications if not treated, and those with bulimia experience serious self-esteem issues.

Autistic Disorders

Those who suffer from autistic personality disorders are usually extremely sensitive to the behaviors of others. They often have difficulty making friends and interacting with others regularly. They may also be extremely lonely, as the symptoms associated with autism usually mean they are unable to function without the companionship of another individual.

Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

When diagnosed with any of the above Disorder, a patient often has trouble understanding that their symptoms are related to specific personality traits. The diagnoses may also seem more realistic for the patient than they actually are. While some people with Personality Disorders do suffer from a true mental health issue, there are many cases where those suffering from Personality Disorders are not displaying any other symptoms that would be classified as a personality disorder. This can make the diagnosis of Personality Disorders very subjective.

Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder is a basic guideline used by psychiatrists and psychologists every year to diagnose a specific set of symptoms. The list includes over two hundred different criteria used to diagnose different Personality Disorders. While you may think that you or a loved one may suffer from it, it is important to learn which specific criteria your doctor is using to make a correct diagnosis.

Seeking Medical Attention

It is important to seek medical attention if you think that you or a family member may be suffering from one of the symptoms listed above. The symptoms of Personality Disorders can often mimic those of other mental health disorders, and a primary doctor may miss the real problem. When choosing a mental health professional to help treat your loved one, make sure they receive extensive training and do not simply rely on hearsay or general information from other professionals. Ensure they have extensive training on the treatment of Personality Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder.They