In the United States, 9.1% of adults aged 18 years and older have a personality disorder. Anyone is at risk of developing a personality disorder. Treatment is necessary if you or a loved one has a personality disorder. Learn about the different types of personality disorders and how a mental health residential treatment program can help.
What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality is influenced by surroundings, experiences, and inherited characteristics. Everyone has a unique personality, and personalities tend to stay the same over time. A personality disorder is a way of feeling, behaving, and thinking that deviates from cultural expectations. Personality disorders can also cause problems with functioning and distress. Symptoms can last a long time.
Personality disorders are long-term behavior patterns and inner experiences that differ from what people expect. Personality disorders affect people differently, but some common impacts include:
- Emotional responses
- How people think about themselves and others
- Controlling behaviors
- How people relate to others
Types of Personality Disorders
Personality disorders typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood. There are ten types of personality disorders. Each one is different but still impacts individuals in similar ways.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder refers to a pattern of violating the rights of others or disregarding them. Someone with this disorder might not conform to social norms. They often deceive others, lie, and act impulsively.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
People with avoidant personality disorder aren’t willing to get involved with other people. They need to be sure others will like them. Avoidant personality disorder leads to a pattern of feelings of inadequacy, extreme shyness, and extreme sensitivity. It’s common for individuals with these disorders to be overwhelmed with rejection or criticism. People view themselves as not good enough or socially inept.
Borderline Personality Disorder
A person with a borderline personality disorder might do the following:
- Go the extra mile to avoid being abandoned
- Have repeated suicide attempts
- Display intense and inappropriate anger
- Experience ongoing feelings of emptiness
Individuals may also display patterns of intense emotions, poor self-image, and instability in personal relationships.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Those who fall into clingy behavior and need to be taken care of might have a dependent personality disorder. These individuals find it difficult to make life decisions without reassurance from others. They often feel unable to take care of themselves because they feel helpless when alone.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic personality disorders occur when someone has a pattern of excessive emotion and seeks attention. They can use their physical appearance to gain attention so that they don’t feel uncomfortable when they are not at the center. Someone with this disorder can also have exaggerated or rapidly shifting emotions.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Those who need admiration and don’t show empathy for others might have a narcissistic personality disorder. These individuals take advantage of others because they lack empathy. They also have an inflated sense of self-importance and a sense of entitlement.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
People with an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder display a pattern of preoccupation with perfection, control, and orderliness. They often don’t make time for themselves or friends. They are inflexible in their values and morality and are preoccupied with schedules and details.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Those with paranoid personality disorder think others are spiteful or mean. This suspicion leads them to assume that others will harm them. When someone has this disorder, they don’t confide in others or become close to anyone.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Choosing to be alone is a common symptom of schizoid personality disorder. These individuals are detached from social relationships and don’t display emotions. They don’t care about the criticism or praise they receive from others because they don’t seek close relationships; they don’t need praise.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Eccentric behavior, distorted thinking, and a pattern of being uncomfortable in close relationships are all signs of schizotypal personality disorder. Excessive social anxiety is another symptom of this disorder. These individuals may have odd beliefs, behavior, or speech.
Personality Disorder Diagnosis
A diagnosis is required from mental health professionals if you are displaying personality disorder symptoms. Experts will look into long-term patterns and symptoms. Individuals under 18 years of age aren’t usually diagnosed with personality disorders because their personalities develop over time. Someone with a personality disorder might not recognize that they have a problem. Additionally, individuals can have more than one personality disorder.
Personality Disorder Treatment
Psychotherapy can effectively treat personality disorders. Not all types of psychotherapy work for every disorder, but these are common for treatment:
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Psychoeducation
Psychotherapy helps people understand their behavior and its effects. It also helps those with a disorder learn to cope with symptoms and reduce problem-causing behaviors. Depending on the condition, a mental health residential treatment program might utilize one or all of these therapies. When you engage in a supportive inpatient environment, you avoid long-term symptoms of personality disorders.
Mental health experts will assess your condition to determine a customized approach, leading to treatment that influences a better quality of life.
Join a Mental Health Residential Treatment Program
Personality disorders come in different forms and cause various symptoms. As your personality changes over time, it’s possible to develop a personality disorder. Proper therapy and medication through mental health residential treatment can help you return to your old self. Take the next step, learn more about our admissions process, and find recovery in South Florida.
