{"id":463,"date":"2023-07-11T09:31:31","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T09:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=463"},"modified":"2025-02-07T11:09:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T11:09:19","slug":"personality-disorders","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/co-occurring-disorders\/personality-disorders\/","title":{"rendered":"Personality Disorders: Types, Symptoms and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Personality disorders can negatively impact a person\u2019s relationships, career and day-to-day life. Learn more about the types of personality disorders, their symptoms and ways they can be treated.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/personalitydisorders.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Personality disorders<\/a>&nbsp;involve unhealthy, inflexible behaviors and patterns of thought.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3909514\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Personality disorder traits&nbsp;can vary drastically<\/a>,&nbsp;but most people with personality disorders&nbsp;have impairments in daily functioning that significantly affect their ability to live healthy, happy and productive lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">These disorders typically start in childhood, and they often co-occur with substance use disorders. Understanding the types of personality disorders, how they\u2019re caused and how they\u2019re treated can contribute to better outcomes for people struggling with these disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Causes of Personality Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">There can be many different causes of&nbsp;personality disorders, including environmental and genetic factors.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0022395610003262\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Childhood trauma&nbsp;and adversity<\/a>&nbsp;have been strongly associated with many personality disorders, including schizotypal, antisocial, borderline and narcissistic personality disorders.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/jonmd\/fulltext\/2013\/12000\/The_Role_of_Early_Life_Stress_in_Adult_Psychiatric.1.aspx?casa_token=MkMtLuDalw8AAAAA:bdACqrWaFsTMEVaJx9o4KFyV5Zp_EcaPL7szDaqwoknU63sNqDWUr-RYNOuA_4FY3XJNEFFsg3MTZ53VARS9Sjk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One analysis<\/a>&nbsp;revealed that emotional abuse and physical neglect were highly associated with the development of personality disorders in adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Genetic causes can be seen particularly in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4589465\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studies on twins<\/a>, which show a strong genetic component in the development of personality disorders. In addition, other&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3181941\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studies<\/a>&nbsp;point toward genes that are known to be dysregulated in people with personality disorders. These include genes related to neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Symptoms of Personality Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;vary greatly from disorder to disorder, but there are several characteristics that are universal. Some of these signs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning and behaving&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Trouble perceiving and relating to various situations and people&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Significant problems and limitations in relationships, social situations, work and&nbsp;school<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Different Types of Personality Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">There are&nbsp;three clusters of personality disorders&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=-JivBAAAQBAJ&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PT18&amp;dq=dsm+5+&amp;ots=ceUS33JGyd&amp;sig=7CMFYGQ-0aCMoldaOrbSVHw0v1U#v=onepage&amp;q=dsm%205&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DSM-5<\/a>, the handbook used by health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. These are referred to as Cluster A, Cluster B, and Cluster C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders, and people with these disorders often appear \u201codd\u201d or \u201ceccentric.\u201d Cluster B includes antisocial, narcissistic, borderline and histrionic personality disorders, and people with these disorders tend to appear dramatic, emotional or erratic. Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders, and people within this cluster usually appear anxious or fearful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Cluster A Personality Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Many medical professionals believe this category includes the most&nbsp;severe personality disorders. Cluster A tends to involve&nbsp;odd, eccentric personality disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Paranoid Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/cpp.1845?casa_token=LUjt5wg_-lQAAAAA%3AGfWt1xKXRrZ5W5LRerMSlFejKyRcvRKCHLDmfyKrOQ2fq2K6k-pphZmZ6kA94bhKEM2xs74d3ZgGrdA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paranoid personality disorder<\/a>&nbsp;manifests as chronic and widespread interpersonal distrust, and a person with this disorder typically interprets the actions of others as malevolent and malicious.&nbsp;Paranoid personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Exaggerated sensitivity to perceived rejection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Persistently bearing grudges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Paranoia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Sustained vigilance about potential \u201cthreat signals\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">This disorder does not include hallucinations, delusions or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/co-occurring-disorders\/psychosis\/\">psychosis<\/a>. Instead, it refers to a state of mind that is consumed by constant suspicion of others.&nbsp;Effects of paranoid personality disorder&nbsp;include increased risk for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/co-occurring-disorders\/depression\/\">depression<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/co-occurring-disorders\/anxiety-disorders\/\">anxiety<\/a>, violent and criminal behavior, suicide attempts and poor quality of life due to social withdrawal and isolation.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/cpp.1845?casa_token=LUjt5wg_-lQAAAAA%3AGfWt1xKXRrZ5W5LRerMSlFejKyRcvRKCHLDmfyKrOQ2fq2K6k-pphZmZ6kA94bhKEM2xs74d3ZgGrdA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cognitive analytical therapy has been shown<\/a>&nbsp;to reduce some symptoms of this disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Schizoid Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Schizoid personality disorder&nbsp;involves detachment from social relationships and restricted expression of emotions with other people. Other&nbsp;schizoid personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;listed in the DSM-5 include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Not desiring or enjoying close relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Nearly always choosing solitary activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Little to no interest in sexual experiences with others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Taking pleasure in very few activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Lack of close friends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Indifference to praise or criticism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Emotional coldness or detachment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Living with schizoid personality disorder&nbsp;is very difficult and is&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/scielo.isciii.es\/scielo.php?pid=S0213-61632010000100005&amp;script=sci_arttext&amp;tlng=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">linked to both unbearable and inescapable loneliness<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Schizotypal Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11920-014-0452-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schizotypal personality disorder<\/a>&nbsp;is another debilitating disorder characterized by odd and eccentric behaviors.&nbsp;Schizotypal personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Believing coincidences or innocuous events have strong personal significance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Odd beliefs and ways of thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Unusual perceptual experiences and bodily illusions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Disorganized speech<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Inappropriate or constricted emotional responses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Suspiciousness or paranoia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Appearance that is odd, eccentric or peculiar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Lack of close friends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Excessive social anxiety that does not go away with familiarity and also tends to<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">be associated with paranoid fears<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Though this disorder is similar to schizoid personality disorder, people with schizotypal personality disorder avoid social interaction because of a deep-seated fear of people. Meanwhile, people with schizoid personality disorder feel no desire to form relationships in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related Topic:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/alcohol\/related\/alcoholism-schizophrenia\/\">Can alcohol cause schizophrenia?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Cluster B Personality Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Cluster B personality disorder traits&nbsp;include dramatic, emotional or erratic thoughts and behaviors. Cluster B is sometimes referred to as the&nbsp;dramatic cluster of personality disorders, and it is also characterized by&nbsp;emotional and impulsive personality disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Antisocial Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">This disorder involves a pattern of disregard for the rights of others. According to the DSM-5,&nbsp;antisocial personality disorder symptoms and traits&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors (repeatedly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">performing acts that are grounds for arrest)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Deceitfulness (repeated lying, use of aliases or conning others for personal profit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">or pleasure)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Impulsivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Irritability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Aggressiveness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Reckless disregard for the safety of oneself and others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Consistent irresponsibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Lack of remorse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">People who have this disorder tend to experience higher rates of incarceration. Unfortunately,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4167848\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">research suggests<\/a>\u00a0that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/intervention\/mental-health\/\">psychological interventions<\/a> for adults with this disorder are not very effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Narcissistic Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Narcissistic personality disorder signs&nbsp;include pervasive patterns of grandiosity, need for admiration and a lack of empathy. The relationships of people with&nbsp;narcissistic personality disorder&nbsp;are often fraught with problems, which are likely caused by&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.antoniocasella.eu\/archipsy\/Ritter_2010.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lack of empathy<\/a>&nbsp;and preoccupation with personal desires.&nbsp;Diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Grandiose sense of self-importance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Preoccupation with fantasies (unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or love)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Belief that one is \u201cspecial\u201d and unique<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">A need for excessive admiration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Sense of entitlement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Taking advantage of others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Lack of empathy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Envy of others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Believing that others are envious of oneself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Arrogant behaviors or attitudes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Although it is a relatively rare condition, the DSM-5 indicates that approximately 50% to 75% of those characterized with this disorder are men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Borderline Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Some professionals consider borderline personality disorder to be a part of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3048510\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bipolar disorder spectrum<\/a>. According to the DSM-5,&nbsp;signs of borderline personality disorder&nbsp;include impulsivity and a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image and mood.&nbsp;People with borderline personality disorder&nbsp;also show signs such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Patterns of unstable and intense relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Unstable self-image or sense of self<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Impulsivity in at least two self-damaging behaviors, such as in spending, sex,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">substance misuse, reckless driving or binge eating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Intense, rapid mood swings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Chronic feelings of emptiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11920-009-0083-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clinical studies<\/a>&nbsp;show that people with borderline personality disorder respond best to structured and specifically designed forms of psychotherapy, such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/addiction-therapies\/dialectical-behavioral\/\">dialectical behavior therapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Histrionic Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Histrionic personality disorder&nbsp;is characterized by a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking. It is sometimes referred to as the&nbsp;attention-seeking disorder, and it has also been called a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2015.01463\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">disorder of hysteria<\/a>. According to the DSM-5,&nbsp;histrionic personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Discomfort when not being the center of attention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Interactions with others often include inappropriate seductive or provocative<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">behaviors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Rapid shifts and shallow expression of emotions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Using physical appearance to draw attention to oneself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Excessively impressionistic style of speech that is lacking in detail<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Self-dramatization, theatricality and exaggerated expression of emotion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Being easily influenced by others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Believing relationships to be more intimate than they actually are<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Cluster C Personality Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Cluster C personality disorders cause people to appear fearful or anxious.&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/semanticscholar.org\/paper\/Effectiveness-of-different-modalities-of-treatment-Bartak-Spreeuwenberg\/9ad899cb32306279a198c8d2994aa08d3339af47\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Research has shown<\/a>&nbsp;that inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment is particularly helpful for&nbsp;treating Cluster C personality disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Avoidant Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">People with avoidant personality disorder&nbsp;experience social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. According to the DSM-5,&nbsp;avoidant personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Avoiding activities involving others because of a fear of criticism, disapproval or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">rejection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Preoccupation with being criticized or rejected in social situations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Unwillingness to get involved with people unless they are certain of being liked<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Showing restraint in intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">ridiculed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Inhibition in personal situations with others because of feelings of inadequacy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Viewing oneself as socially inept, unappealing or inferior to others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Reluctance to take personal risks or engage in any new activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">This disorder has a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3417304\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high degree of overlap with generalized anxiety disorder<\/a>, but there are some differences. People with social anxiety disorder typically know that their fears are irrational, but people with avoidant personality disorder believe that they are inferior and that rejection and humiliation are inevitable and deserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Dependent Personality Disorder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Dependent personality disorder traits&nbsp;include an excessive need to be taken care of, which leads to clinging behavior and a fear of separation. According to the DSM-5,&nbsp;dependent personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Difficulty making simple, everyday decisions without an excessive amount of<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">advice and reassurance from others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Needing others to assume responsibility for most major areas of life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Going to excessive lengths to obtain support from others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Urgently seeking another relationship as a source of care and support when a<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">close relationship ends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Difficulty expressing when they disagree with others because of a fear of losing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Difficulty initiating projects or doing things alone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Feeling uncomfortable or helpless when alone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Fears of being left to take care of oneself<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Dependent personality disorder causes&nbsp;may include chronic physical illness or separation anxiety disorder during youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms&nbsp;are characterized by preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism and control. According to the DSM-5, symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Preoccupation with details, lists, organization, schedules and more<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Perfectionism to the point that it interferes with completing tasks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Being overconscientious and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics or values<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Excessive devotion to work, which negatively affects other activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Inability to discard worthless objects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Reluctance to delegate tasks or work with others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">View money as something to be hoarded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Rigidity and stubbornness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Relationships are particularly affected by obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and the condition is most common among men. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3969772\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">experience an excessive capacity to delay rewards<\/a>, which makes it different from obsessive-compulsive disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Diagnosing Personality Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Personality disorder diagnosis&nbsp;must be done by a medical professional, such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Doctors typically use&nbsp;personality disorder assessment&nbsp;tools, such as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4227960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DSM-5 and structured clinical interviews<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Personality disorders typically stem from childhood events and are also influenced by genetic predispositions. Personality disorders generally develop in the late teen years, when a person\u2019s brain and personality finish developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Personality Disorder Statistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;prevalence of personality disorders&nbsp;is rather low, especially when compared to mood and anxiety disorders like depression or generalized anxiety disorder.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3105841\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The most common personality disorder<\/a>&nbsp;is obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, followed by narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3105841\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Personality disorder statistics<\/a>&nbsp;indicate that the prevalence of these disorders ranges from approximately 6% to 9% in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Personality Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Personality disorders in childhood and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/teen-addiction\/\">adolescence<\/a>&nbsp;are not unheard of, but they are more often found in adults.&nbsp;Diagnosing personality disorders in adolescence&nbsp;is more difficult because the personality is still maturing as the brain\u2019s cortex finishes developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pediatrics.aappublications.org\/lens\/pediatrics\/134\/4\/782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Borderline personality disorder<\/a>&nbsp;is perhaps the most commonly diagnosed personality disorder in the teenage years. In fact, teenage personality disorder symptoms&nbsp;are very similar to those that are observed in adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Personality Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">A co-occurring disorder is when two disorders present themselves at the same time. In this context,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/co-occurring-disorders\/\">co-occurring disorders<\/a>&nbsp;include substance misuse and personality disorders.&nbsp;Personality disorders and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/\">drug addiction<\/a>&nbsp;are linked, especially in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4010862\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the case of borderline personality disorder<\/a>. Nearly 80% of adults with borderline personality disorder develop a substance use disorder or experience addiction at some time in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Other research has shown that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/alcohol\/addiction\/\">alcoholism<\/a>&nbsp;and personality disorders are also linked.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/070674371005500202\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One study found<\/a>&nbsp;that people with Cluster B personality disorders met certain alcohol milestones at a younger age. These people have higher levels of impulsivity during alcohol intake, greater likelihood of early treatment dropout and a quicker time to first relapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Personality Disorder Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Personality disorder treatment&nbsp;is not simple, and many people are unresponsive to different forms of therapy and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/medication-assisted-treatment\/\">medications<\/a>. The most effective forms of&nbsp;personality disorder therapy&nbsp;are often methods of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/addiction-therapies\/cognitive-behavioral\/\">cognitive behavioral therapy<\/a>, such as dialectical behavioral therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, there are&nbsp;personality disorder medications&nbsp;that work for some people. For example,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13063-015-0823-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mood stabilizers such as lamotrigine<\/a>&nbsp;are sometimes used to treat borderline personality disorder symptoms. Each person responds differently to medication based on their personal history, diagnosis and other factors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Personality disorders can negatively impact a person\u2019s relationships, career and day-to-day life. Learn more about the types of personality disorders, their symptoms and ways they can be treated. Personality disorders&nbsp;involve unhealthy, inflexible behaviors and patterns of thought.&nbsp;Personality disorder traits&nbsp;can vary drastically,&nbsp;but most people with personality disorders&nbsp;have impairments in daily functioning that significantly affect their ability [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11126,"parent":386,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[39,73],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-463","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dual-diagnosis","category-mental-health"],"acf":{"written_by":287,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":277,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"<i>Last Updated<\/i> - <b>3\/11\/2022<\/b>","page_first_published_date":"20220311","page_last_edit_date":"20220311","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\" ><b>888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"<strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Personality disorders include conditions that can impact day-to-day functioning. Some examples include schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Based on the traits and symptoms of these disorders, they have been categorized into three clusters in the DSM-5.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"MedlinePlus. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/personalitydisorders.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personality Disorders.<\/a>\u201d December 3, 2019. Accessed January 26, 2020.\r\n\r\nAmerican Psychiatric Association. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=-JivBAAAQBAJ&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PT18&amp;dq=dsm+5+&amp;ots=ceUS33JGyd&amp;sig=7CMFYGQ-0aCMoldaOrbSVHw0v1U#v=onepage&amp;q=dsm%205&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5\u00ae)<\/a>.\u201d American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2013. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nHopwood, Christopher J.; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3909514\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DSM-5 personality traits and DSM\u2013IV personality disorders<\/a>.\u201d Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 2012. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nAfifi, Tracie O.; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0022395610003262\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Childhood adversity and personality disorders: results from a nationally representative population-based study<\/a>.\u201d Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nCarr, Clara Passmann; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/jonmd\/fulltext\/2013\/12000\/The_Role_of_Early_Life_Stress_in_Adult_Psychiatric.1.aspx?casa_token=MkMtLuDalw8AAAAA:bdACqrWaFsTMEVaJx9o4KFyV5Zp_EcaPL7szDaqwoknU63sNqDWUr-RYNOuA_4FY3XJNEFFsg3MTZ53VARS9Sjk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The role of early life stress in adult psychiatric disorders: a systematic review according to childhood trauma subtypes<\/a>.\u201d The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2013. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nReichborn-Kjennerud, T.; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4589465\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A longitudinal twin study of borderline and antisocial personality disorder traits in early to middle adulthood<\/a>.\u201d Psychological Medicine, 2015. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nReichborn-Kjennerud, Ted. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3181941\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The genetic epidemiology of personality disorders<\/a>.\u201d Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nKellett, Stephen; Hardy, Gillian. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/cpp.1845?casa_token=LUjt5wg_-lQAAAAA%3AGfWt1xKXRrZ5W5LRerMSlFejKyRcvRKCHLDmfyKrOQ2fq2K6k-pphZmZ6kA94bhKEM2xs74d3ZgGrdA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Treatment of paranoid personality disorder with cognitive analytic therapy: A mixed methods single case experimental design<\/a>.\u201d Clinical Psychology &amp; Psychotherapy, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nMartens, Willem H.J. \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/scielo.isciii.es\/scielo.php?pid=S0213-61632010000100005&amp;script=sci_arttext&amp;tlng=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schizoid personality disorder linked to unbearable and inescapable loneliness<\/a>.\u201d The European Journal of Psychiatry, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nRosell, Daniel R.; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11920-014-0452-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schizotypal personality disorder: a current review<\/a>.\u201d Current Psychiatry Reports, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nGibbon, Simon; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4167848\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psychological interventions for antisocial personality disorder<\/a>.\u201d Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nRitter, Kathrin; et al. \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.antoniocasella.eu\/archipsy\/Ritter_2010.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lack of empathy in patients with narcissistic personality disorder<\/a>.\u201d Psychiatry Research, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nPerugi, Giulio; Fornaro, Michele; Akiskal, Hagop S. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3048510\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Are atypical depression, borderline personality disorder and bipolar II disorder overlapping manifestations of a common cyclothymic diathesis?<\/a>\u201d World Psychiatry, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nParis, Joel. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11920-009-0083-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Effectiveness of different psychotherapy approaches in the treatment of borderline personality disorder<\/a>.\u201d Current Psychiatry Reports, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nNovais, Filipa; Ara\u00fajo, Andreia Monteiro; Godinho, Paula. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2015.01463\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Historical roots of histrionic personality disorder<\/a>.\u201d Frontiers in Psychology, 2015. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nBartak, Anna; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.semanticscholar.org\/paper\/Effectiveness-of-different-modalities-of-treatment-Bartak-Spreeuwenberg\/9ad899cb32306279a198c8d2994aa08d3339af47\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Effectiveness of different modalities of psychotherapeutic treatment for patients with cluster C personality disorders: results of a large prospective multicentre study<\/a>.\u201d Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nMarques, Luana; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3417304\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Avoidant personality disorder in individuals with generalized social anxiety disorder: What does it add?<\/a>\u201d Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2012. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nPinto, Anthony; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3969772\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Capacity to delay reward differentiates obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder<\/a>.\u201d Biological Psychiatry, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nYam, Wern How; Simms, Leonard J. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4227960\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comparing criterion-and trait-based personality disorder diagnoses in DSM-5<\/a>.\u201d Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nSansone, Randy A.; Sansone, Lori A. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3105841\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personality disorders: A nation-based perspective on prevalence<\/a>.\u201d Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nKaess, Michael; Brunner, Romuald; Chanen, Andrew. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/pediatrics.aappublications.org\/lens\/pediatrics\/134\/4\/782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Borderline personality disorder in adolescence<\/a>.\u201d Pediatrics, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nKienast, Thorsten; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4010862\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Borderline personality disorder and comorbid addiction: epidemiology and treatment<\/a>.\u201d Deutsches \u00c4rzteblatt International, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nZikos, Eugenia; Gill, Kathryn J.; Charney,Dara A. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/070674371005500202\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personality disorders among alcoholic outpatients: prevalence and course in treatment<\/a>.\u201d The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2010. Accessed January 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nCrawford, Mike J.; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13063-015-0823-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lamotrigine versus inert placebo in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and economic evaluation<\/a>.\u201d Trials, 2015. Accessed January 8, 2020."},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":287},{"staff_member_title":"Medical Reviewer","select_staff_member":277}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/463\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/386"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/277"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}