A personality disorder is a severe mental health condition that affects people’s experiences, behavior, and thoughts. It can impair functioning in relationships, work, and social settings. Symptoms and behavioral patterns characterize numerous personality disorder types.
People with Antisocial Personality Disorder have difficulty empathizing or understanding the feelings of others and may act out in dangerous or potentially criminal ways. These behaviors are usually due to a lack of understanding of social norms, impulsivity, and a disregard for the feelings of those around them.
Individuals with Dependent Personality Disorder are usually dependent on the approval, guidance, and assistance of others. They often give up their preferences and desires to be cared for and accepted by others. This can lead to poor decision-making and difficulty in establishing a sense of independence.
Unstable moods, self-image, and relationships characterize borderline Personality Disorder. People with this disorder may experience intense episodes of anger and depression, alternating between periods of idealization of one person and devaluation of the next.
Those diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder fear rejection and intense anxiety in social situations. This fear can lead to social isolation and avoidance of new experiences.
Those with Histrionic Personality Disorder strive for attention and approval and often act in dramatic, provocative, or attention-seeking ways. They often exhibit volatility of emotions and tend to be highly impulsive.
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often demonstrate grandiosity, feelings of superiority and entitlement, and an extreme need for admiration. They show little empathy for others and can often be manipulative in their relationships.
Individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder are often judiciously distrustful of other people. They often think that others are out to harm them and generally struggle to trust others, and may be overly suspicious of their motives.
Those with Schizoid Personality Disorder typically demonstrate an ongoing pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression. They may prefer solitary activities and may appear aloof and indifferent to others.
Individuals with Schizotypal Personality Disorder demonstrate awkward or confused behavior and often feel misunderstood. They may exhibit suspiciousness, magical thinking, unusual perceptual experiences, and low self-esteem.
People with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder demonstrate an excessive need to maintain order and control, leading to rigid and perfectionistic behaviors, such as paying extreme attention to details. They may struggle to complete tasks due to overwhelming feelings of responsibility.
