Personality disorders are a type of mental health condition that affects a person’s way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. A person’s personality will typically remain unchanged over time, but those with a personality disorder will exhibit unusual patterns of behavior that deviate from expectations and cause significant distress to the individual or the people around them.
Many people often do not realize that they have a personality disorder because their way of thinking seems natural to them. To complicate things further, many disorders share common symptoms and most people will exhibit signs and symptoms of more than one personality disorder. To better understand the types of personality disorders and how they can affect you, it’s helpful to have a basic awareness of how they are categorized. For more information, or to make an appointment with a personality disorder psychologist, contact Blair Wellness Group in Beverly Hills.
Types of Personality Disorders
Personality can be defined in many ways, but once such definition states that personality is the unique combination of characteristics and qualities that form an individual’s character. Although by definition no two people will bear the same personality, when someone exhibits behaviors or responses that are outside of the norm or different than what would be expected, it could be considered the product of a personality disorder.
There are 10 different types of personality disorders, each one with its own set of symptoms. Many disorders also claim overlapping symptoms which, in many cases, can make it difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis. The following is a list of the 10 recognized personality disorders:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
To gain a better understanding of these personality disorders and the similarities between one or more types, the ten different personality disorders are grouped into three clusters.
Cluster A
Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior. They include schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder.
Cluster B
Cluster B personality disorders are defined by overly emotional and unpredictable thinking or behavior. They include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
Cluster C
Cluster C personality disorders can be identified by predominantly anxious behavior and fearful thinking. The disorders in this cluster include obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and dependent personality disorder.
Personality disorders affect everyone differently and it’s possible for a person to be diagnosed with more than one personality disorder. However, research shows that when a person has multiple personality disorders, there is an increased likelihood that they are within the same cluster.
Treatment for Personality Disorders
It’s normal to exhibit some personality disorder traits every once in a while, but if they happen repeatedly — causing significant distress or functional impairment, it’s important to seek help from a personality disorder psychologist. With regular treatment and psychotherapy, a person can overcome negative thought patterns and learn new ways of coping that will enable them to live a happier and more fulfilling life.
If you’re searching for a personality disorder psychologist in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, or the surrounding area, we encourage you to call Blair Wellness Group at 310-999-4996 to make an appointment.
