Understanding personality disorders

 

Gain insight into personality disorders, their complexities, and the paths to support and understanding. We are here to help clarify these conditions and provide valuable information.

 

 

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that significantly affect how you think, feel, and behave. If you have a personality disorder, you  likely experience difficulty relating to others, trouble managing emotions and behaviour, and distorted thinking patterns. When working in personality disorders using dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), the skills teaching part of the model was entitled managing your emotions, as they can be intense.

According to the DSM-5, there are ten distinctive personality disorder types, which are divided into three clusters, type A, B and C.

 

Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behaviour

• Paranoid personality disorder: is a personality disorder characterised by a persistent pattern of distrust and suspicion toward others. People with this condition often believe that others may intend to harm, deceive, criticise, or exploit them, even when there is little or no evidence to support these beliefs.

 

• Schizoid personality disorder: is a personality disorder characterised by a persistent pattern of social detachment and limited emotional expression. People with this condition often prefer solitude, feel uncomfortable with close relationships, and may appear emotionally distant or withdrawn.

 

• Schizotypal personality disorder: is a personality disorder characterised by significant difficulties in social relationships, unusual patterns of thinking or perception, and eccentric or unconventional behaviours.

  People with schizotypal personality disorder often feel uncomfortable in close relationships and may experience intense social anxiety. They may appear unusual to others because of the way they think, speak, dress, or behave.

Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Behaviour

• Borderline Personality Disorder: is a mental health condition characterised by intense emotional instability, difficulties in relationships, fears of abandonment, and an unstable sense of self. People with borderline personality disorder may experience emotions very intensely and may find it difficult to regulate or manage these feelings. Relationships can become unstable, with rapid shifts between feeling very close to someone and feeling rejected or hurt by them.

 

• Antisocial Personality Disorder:  is a personality disorder characterised by a persistent pattern of disregard for the rights, feelings, and safety of others. Individuals with this condition may struggle to follow social rules, respect boundaries, or consider the consequences of their behaviour on other people.

 

• Histrionic Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder characterised by excessive emotionality and a strong need for attention and approval from others. People with histrionic personality disorder often feel uncomfortable when they are not the centre of attention and may express emotions in a dramatic or intense way. Their behaviour may appear theatrical, highly expressive, or attention-seeking, although this often reflects underlying emotional insecurity and a strong need for validation.

Cluster C: Anxiety, Fearfulness, and Insecurity in thinking, behaviour, and relationships

• Avoidant Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder characterised by persistent feelings of social inhibition, inadequacy, and a strong sensitivity to criticism or rejection. People with this condition often want social connection but avoid it due to intense fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed. This can lead to significant loneliness and isolation, despite a desire for relationships.

 

• Dependent Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder characterised by an excessive need to be taken care of by others, leading to submissive behaviour, difficulty making decisions independently, and a strong fear of separation or abandonment. People with this condition often rely heavily on others for reassurance, guidance, and decision-making, even in areas where they are capable of functioning independently.

 

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCP): is a personality disorder characterised by a persistent pattern of perfectionism, rigidity, and a strong need for control, order, and structure. People with this condition often focus heavily on rules, details, and doing things “the right way,” which can sometimes interfere with flexibility, efficiency, and relationships.