Personality disorders are a variety of psychological conditions that affect the way a person perceives the world and how they relate to others. These disorders are caused by biological, genetic, and environmental factors. Individuals with personality disorders may find it difficult to build relationships, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and even experience serious mental health problems.
Antisocial personality disorder
People with antisocial personality disorder are often not aware that their behavior is abnormal. They may try to rationalize their actions by blaming others or life. They may also have difficulty expressing empathy or considering other people's feelings. Some of them can be very charming and talkative, yet are very unsociable.
Several risk factors for antisocial personality disorder are early childhood trauma, substance abuse, and mental illness. While these factors do not cause the disorder in and of themselves, they can interfere with the development of the child's brain. For instance, a neglectful environment may prevent a child from feeling remorse for his or her actions.
People with antisocial personality disorder tend to be socially and financially irresponsible. They may not find work when available, and they may fail to pay bills or other obligations, such as child support. Moreover, patients with antisocial personality disorder may be violent or sexually abusive. They may also switch jobs or relationships suddenly, or even take illegal drugs.
Borderline personality disorder
Although Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most difficult mental disorders to treat, it can be treated effectively if diagnosed early. The symptoms of BPD include unstable relationships, emotional turmoil, and self-destructive behavior. With treatment, these individuals can avoid the consequences of their actions and improve their quality of life.
People with BPD experience intense mood swings and can be miserable for days at a time. These mood swings are often unpredictable in their timing, and they may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. They may also struggle with short tempers and intense anger, which can cause them to act out in harmful ways. This anger can lead to self-harm and other harmful behaviors.
People with Borderline personality disorder often have trouble understanding others. They can misread their partners' feelings and misunderstand their own. They also fail to consider how their actions affect others. To overcome this problem, patients must recognize their interpersonal blind spot and learn to be more understanding. Once they've mastered this skill, they can then begin to work on their social skills.
Histrionic personality disorder
People with histrionic personality disorder frequently experience mood changes and overexaggerated emotions. These behaviors may be interpreted as irrational and insincere by others. They may also experience frequent lifestyle changes and multiple relationships. They may also show signs of neglecting long-term relationships. Symptoms may include difficulty achieving emotional intimacy in relationships and frequent bouts of emotional outbursts.
Treatment for HPD often involves therapy. It helps patients gain insight into their motivations and foster better relationships with others. People with HPD may also benefit from group therapy, in which they are exposed to other people with the disorder. However, group therapy may not be effective for some individuals because it can exacerbate their symptoms.
Patients with histrionic personality disorder are easily influenced by others and are overly trusting of authority figures. They also tend to think that relationships are closer than they are, despite their lack of intimacy. These patients may also exhibit symptoms of hypochondria, delusions, or somatic behavior to seek attention.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personalities are extremely rigid and devoted to rules and efficiency. They are also prone to micromanage and are unable to delegate tasks to others. These traits can interfere with social functioning and negatively affect their professional success. However, there are treatment options for people with OCPD.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people with OCPD cope with symptoms. These methods help patients recognize their unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teach them how to change them. Psychopharmacological treatments such as SSRIs may also be helpful. It is important to note that long-term prescriptions of these drugs are not recommended for people with OCPD.
People with OCPD may not feel their disorder is a problem and may not seek treatment. Their disorder may make them feel righteous and unable to express their feelings. However, they may seek help if they have problems with family and friends. People with OCPD also have difficulty forming or maintaining close relationships. Typically, people with OCPD develop the disorder during late adolescence and continue to experience symptoms throughout adulthood.
