Subtitle Forum: What Are the 11 Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. They can cause significant distress and impairment in a person's life. The 11 recognized personality disorders are categorized into three “clusters”. These are:
Cluster A: This cluster includes disorders that are characterized by odd, eccentric thinking and behavior. These include:
Paranoid Personality Disorder: This disorder involves intense and persistent feelings of distrust and suspicion towards others. People with paranoid personality disorder may also be preoccupied with doubts and fears about their own trustworthiness.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, a tendency to be emotionally distant, and a preference for solitary activities.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: This disorder involves distorted thinking and behavior, such as strange beliefs or perceptions, and a fear of others. People with schizotypal personality disorder may also be socially isolated and have difficulty forming relationships.
Cluster B: This cluster includes disorders that are characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking and behavior. These include:
Borderline Personality Disorder: This disorder involves a pattern of unstable relationships, intense emotions, and poor self-image. People with borderline personality disorder may also engage in impulsive behaviors and have difficulty controlling their emotions.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: This disorder involves a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. People with narcissistic personality disorder may also be arrogant and have an excessive need for attention.
Histrionic Personality Disorder: This disorder involves an excessive need for attention, overly dramatic behaviors, and an inability to handle criticism. People with histrionic personality disorder may also be overly sensitive to criticism and easily influenced by others.
Antisocial Personality Disorder: This disorder involves a disregard for the rights of others, a tendency to violate those rights, and a lack of remorse for doing so. People with antisocial personality disorder may also be impulsive, aggressive, and manipulative.
Cluster C: This cluster includes disorders that are characterized by anxious, fearful thinking and behavior. These include:
Avoidant Personality Disorder: This disorder involves a fear of rejection, a lack of self-confidence, and an avoidance of social situations. People with avoidant personality disorder may also be overly sensitive to criticism and easily embarrassed.
Dependent Personality Disorder: This disorder involves an excessive need to be taken care of, an inability to make decisions, and an extreme fear of rejection or abandonment. People with dependent personality disorder may also be overly submissive and easily influenced by others.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: This disorder involves a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may also be inflexible and rigid in their thinking and behavior.
