Personality Disorders
WHAT ARE PERSONALITY DISORDERS?
Personality disorders are mental health conditions that cause a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior to deviate from cultural norms, causing distress and day-to-day dysfunction. There are 10 types of personality disorders that fall into 3 general categories. However, these disorders tend to be imprecise and patients can exhibit a blend of the symptoms.
Nearly 31 million Americans have at least one serious personality disorder.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry [Source]
TYPES OF PERSONALITY DISORDERS
CLUSTER A
This is the most common psychotic disorder. It is a severe brain disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is more than just confusion or suspicious beliefs. It is a debilitating illness that can result in behavior that is agitated, withdrawn, or disoriented. Like other mental disorders, it is treatable with medication, therapy, and support services.
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Patients suffering from this disorder typically have an extreme distrust of others. They may be constantly looking for or “seeing” signs of conspiracies. Patients generally have a difficult time establishing relationships.
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While patients with schizoid personality disorder tend to be detached, studies show that they lead a generally well-functioning life. They typically do not care about social norms and are indifferent.
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This disorder shares symptoms with schizophrenia. Patients will exhibit odd behaviors, appearances, and thoughts. They often avoid social interactions for fear that others will harm them.
CLUSTER B
This group of personality disorders is characterized by behavior that is overly-dramatic or erratic. The disorders include Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
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Patients suffering from this disorder often have no regard for right or wrong when it comes to their actions or behaviors. There is no connection between their actions and the consequences.
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Patients with this disorder often experience mood swings and intense emotions such as anger, depression or anxiety. Often the intense feelings can last for several days and cause disruptions in a person’s daily life.
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A patient with this disorder typically desires that another person notice them or reassure them of their importance.
CLUSTER C
This group of personality disorders is characterized by behavior that is anxious or fearful. The disorders include Avoidant Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.
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Patients with Avoidant Personality Disorder tend to avoid social situations and personal relationships. They fear rejection and suffer from low self-esteem. They have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder or suffering from depression.
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Patients who suffer from this disorder often seem clingy, passive or non-assertive. They tend to be manipulated easily because of their desire to please others. Their focus on maintaining relationships makes them vulnerable to mistreatment.
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Often confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), patients with this disorder tend to appear inflexible. They can be extremely rules-driven and uncomfortable when they are not in control of situations or tasks. While people with this personality disorder can be very efficient at work, their relationships often suffer as a result of their tendency to be uncooperative.
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most researched psychotherapy for psychotic episodes. In general, CBT focuses on sorting through what a patient believes is real or imaginary. CBT is often most effective when used in conjunction with antipsychotic medication.
COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT THERAPY (CET)
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) is a psychotherapy that uses exercises to train a patient’s brain for attention, memory, and problem-solving. Because psychotic disorders create barriers to rational thinking and socializing, doctors utilize CET in conjunction with other therapies to support improved social interactions and cognitive functions.
MEDICATION
Some people find that medication is helpful in managing a psychotic disorder. Talk with your health care provider about the potential benefits, risks, and side effects.
Antipsychotics. Certain medications work to reduce the production of dopamine in the brain, which has been shown to be overactive in people with psychotic disorders. They are designed to reduce agitation and the confusion that comes with the disease. While some medications can take effect within a few hours, most antipsychotic drugs take several weeks to become fully effective.
Antidepressants. Many antidepressants may also be useful for treating psychotic disorders. They are most commonly used to treat any co-occurring mood disorders.
Anti-Anxiety Medication. Anxiety disorders are also a common co-occurring disorder with psychotic disorders. Often anti-anxiety medications are prescribed to help reduce the symptoms that cause enhanced anxiety and agitation.
SELF MANAGEMENT
Yoga
Relaxation
Exercise
Mindfulness
HOW DO I GET HELP?
BECOME AN EXPERT
Learn about medication and treatment options. Keep up with current research. Build a personal library of useful websites and helpful books.
ACCEPT YOUR FEELINGS
Incorporating mindfulness or meditation practices can help patients battling erratic feelings to learn to reduce stress. Acceptance allows you to find ways to make changes in lifestyle that could help manage your reactions to the feelings brought on by a psychotic episode.
PARTNER WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Actively participate in your treatment by working with mental health care professionals to develop a plan that works for you. Talk with them about your goals, decide on a recovery pace you’re comfortable with, and stick to your plan. Don’t quit when something doesn’t go well. Instead, talk to your doctor or therapist about possible changes.
ENLIST FAMILY SUPPORT
Studies show that when a patient has a support system that understands their disease, there is a higher likelihood of long-term treatment outcomes. When family or friends understand how their loved one feels, they can also find ways to support them.
AVOID DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
These substances may seem to help with anxiety at first but can disrupt emotional balance, sleep cycles, and interact with medications. Coffee, energy drinks, and cigarettes can worsen conditions.
