Signs this may be a problem…
- people think your behaviour is unusual
- you don’t trust other people
- you have problems getting along with people
- you have problems at work and school
What are personality disorders?
Everyone’s personality is different. People have different ways of thinking and behaving, and it’s one of the reasons why we’re all unique, (and also why we don’t always get along!) While people’s personalities don’t always change that much, they do develop as people go through different life experiences. Most people are flexible enough to learn from past experiences and change their behaviour when they need to.
If you have a personality disorder, however, this is much harder. A person will be diagnosed with having a personality disorder if they have extreme thoughts and behaviours – so extreme that they have a lot of trouble coping with day to day life. People with personality disorders aren’t able to change their actions or thoughts, no matter what happens or what’s going on around them. They have trouble relating to situations and other people, and often end up experiencing significant problems and limitations in their relationships, social encounters, work and schooling.
Causes of personality disorders
A personality disorder is a serious condition, and the exact cause hasn’t been figured out yet. However, certain things can contribute to whether you develop a personality disorder, including:
- family history of personality disorders or other mental illnesses
- low socio-economic status
- experiencing abuse or neglect during childhood
- an unstable or chaotic family life when you’re young
- being diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder
- loss of parents through death or a traumatic divorce when you were young.
People with a personality disorder don’t choose to feel the way they do, and are in no way responsible for developing a disorder.
Signs and symptoms of personality disorders
Some signs a person has a personality disorder include:
- frequent mood swings
- stormy relationships
- social isolation
- angry outbursts
- suspicion and mistrust of others
- difficulty making friends
- a need for instant gratification
- poor impulse control
- alcohol or substance abuse.
People with personality disorders don’t always realise they have a disorder – because their way of thinking and behaviour seems so natural to them. Because of this, they often blame other people for the challenges they face in day to day life.
Types of personality disorders
There six main types of personality disorders. They are;
- Antisocial personality disorder. Not caring about others to the point of being aggressive and violent, or violating other people’s rights.
- Avoidant personality disorder. Being hypersensitive to criticism or rejection, and experiencing extreme shyness
- Borderline personality disorder. Being extremely impulsive, taking huge risks, having an explosive temper and having unstable moods.
- Narcissistic personality disorder. Believing that you’re better than everyone
- Obsessive-Compulsive personality disorder. Being extremely controlling, preoccupied with perfection, rules and orderliness, and unable to let broken/old stuff be thrown away.
- Schizotypal personality disorder. Not really caring about other people and believing in “magical thinking” – that is, believing you can influence people and events through your thoughts.
Don’t get too alarmed if you see some of these personality traits in yourself. A lot of people have different personality quirks. What’s different about personality disorders is that a person’s behaviour will be extreme – and they usually aren’t able to adapt or change it.
What to do about personality disorders?
The best way to manage personality disorders is through:
- psychological therapy
- support from family, friends and the community
- medication in some circumstances.
Personality disorders are really difficult to deal with on your own, so if you’re worried about having a personality disorder it’s a good idea to visit your GP. It will make the process of diagnosing and managing the disorder much easier and quicker if you seek professional help.
Alongside a professional treatment plan, people with personality disorders also develop strategies to manage their symptoms in everyday life, including developing positive coping skills.