Personality Disorder
Individual personalities develop from experiences, environments, and inherited characteristics. Our upbringings, formal years, and DNA significantly factor into our personality types. When our personalities morph into unusual ways of thinking about ourselves, abnormal ways of relating to others, and unpredictable ways of controlling our behaviors, we may have a personality disorder.
Personality disorders are ingrained within our character, and as a result, many individuals will be unaware that they may have a mental health disorder. Individuals often see their thoughts, motives, and actions as normal, even though others who surround them are well aware there is something off.
These maladaptive patterns often will carry into every aspect of one’s life, creating havoc in their relationships, home life, and occupational functioning. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are a total of ten personality disorders that are broken up into three clusters or categories known as Cluster A, Cluster B, and Cluster C.
Personality Disorder symptoms
- Frequent isolation, withdrawal
- Unstable relationships
- Poor impulse control
- Frequent angry outbursts or mood swings
- Co-occurring substance use disorders
- A need for instant gratification
- Appearing unemotional
AKUA Mind & Body Treatment Program
AKUA Mind & Body utilizes a blend of holistic approaches combined with evidence-based treatment and medication assistance to help individuals who have been affected by personality disorder. This treatment approach allows clients to recognize their underlying triggers and then provides guidance to develop healthy coping skills.
Personality disorder subtypes
- Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by an extreme distrust of others resulting in unjustified doubts and even malicious behavior. These individuals continuously believe someone is out to harm them or exploit them and usually have a difficult time forming close, trusting relationships with others.
- Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by extreme detachment from others. Individuals prefer to be alone all the time and do not want to confide in others. These individuals appear indifferent or aloof and rarely engage in any romantic relationship.
- Schizotypal personality disorder presents with very eccentric thoughts and behaviors. Individuals will often dress in an odd fashion and believe in magical thinking. They usually have extreme social anxiety and believe that public messages such as those found on television or the radio are directly being advertised to them specifically.
- Antisocial personality disorder is described as going against the social norms and breaking the rules and law, resulting in reckless disregard for others. These individuals often lack empathy and are constantly in trouble with the law. They will lie and even practice physical violence against others. If this disorder is diagnosed before 18 years of age, it is known as conduct disorder.
- Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable and intense moods and interpersonal relationships, resulting in impaired impulse control and unhealthy behaviors such as cutting. These individuals usually have chronic feelings of emptiness, unstable relationships, unstable self-image, intense anger, and a deep fear of abandonment.
- Histrionic personality is classified as attention-seeking with the constant flaunting of sexuality. These individuals usually have insincere relationships and do not often engage in deep, meaningful conversation but instead come off as shallow, drama seeking, and self-serving.
- Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-esteem. These individuals usually crave power and lack empathy and are preoccupied with success, beauty, and love and tend to exaggerate their talents and accomplishments.
- Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by being withdrawn from others and the avoidance of social activities out of fear and embarrassment.
- Dependent personality disorder is characterized by clinging behavior and extreme fear of being alone. Individuals with this personality disorder often feel helpless when they are alone and rely on others to make major decisions and assume responsibility.