Personality Disorders | Journey Inward

What are Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders are a class of mental health conditions characterized by inflexible, rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. This causes significant impairment in personal relationships and functioning.
Personality disorders typically onset in adolescence or early adulthood and persist throughout life. However, therapy and maturation can help improve some symptoms. There are several different types of personality disorders.

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Types of personality disorders

Some examples of the main personality disorder types include

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Disregard for others, violation of rights, deceitfulness, [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]aggression, impulsivity, and irresponsibility.[/expander_maker]

Borderline Personality Disorder

Unstable relationships, moods, identity, intense fear [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]of abandonment, impulsivity, self-harm behaviours.[/expander_maker]

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Excessive emotionality, need for approval and attention,[expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] distorted self-image, rapidly shifting emotions.[/expander_maker]

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Exaggerated sense of self-importance, excessive need [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]for admiration, lack of empathy, arrogance, entitlement.[/expander_maker]

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Hypersensitivity to rejection, social isolation, feelings of inadequacy,[expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] extreme social anxiety and inhibition.[/expander_maker]

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Preoccupation with orderliness, rules, organization, details, [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]perfectionism, control.
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Schizoid Personality Disorder

Lack of interest in social relationships, indifference to [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]praise/criticism, restricted emotional expression.[/expander_maker]

Treatment for personality disorders

Treatment focuses on symptom improvement through psychotherapy. Specific approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Changing dysfunctional thought and behaviour patterns.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Regulating emotions, tolerating stress, and improving relationships.

Schema Therapy

Identifying and changing long-standing emotional/cognitive patterns.

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy

Using a relationship with a therapist to foster self-examination.

Medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may sometimes be used. However, therapy remains the cornerstone of effective personality disorder treatment. With long-term commitment, people can learn to manage their symptoms and develop healthier relationship skills..