Personality disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person’s personality and behaviors. The symptoms of these conditions can be debilitating and negatively impact the diagnosed individual’s relationships, career, and personal lives. So, if you are dealing with abnormal behaviors that are leading to people withdrawing from your life, you may be wondering what the symptoms and signs of personality disorder are. Being able to identify the characteristics of these mental health issues can help people affected by them recognize that they may need help. And, get the professional assistance they need from various treatments which are successful in reducing the severity of symptoms and helping people diagnosed with these disorders better manage their lives in healthy ways.
The signs of personality disorder vary between types of personality disorders. There are a number of types of personality disorders that are diagnosed, so gaining knowledge on what characterizes each personality disorder can help people identify if they may be living with one of these conditions.
Some of the various types of personality disorders include:
Antisocial Personality Disorder: People diagnosed with this personality disorder may partake in risky behaviors and not clearly understand that their behaviors or what they say can negatively affect other people.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: This type of personality disorder is characterized by personality traits including a grandiose sense of self-worth, selfish behavior, and manipulation of others in order to gain acceptance or attention from others.
Borderline Personality Disorder: A diagnosis of BPD can include signs and symptoms of mood swings, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. People with this type of personality disorder may have trouble regulating and dealing with negative emotions.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: Some of the signs of this personality disorder can include not wanting to have intimate personal relationships, avoidance behaviors, and enjoying being alone rather than being around others. This can make others believe that people with this type of personality disorder are cold and uncaring.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: This type of personality disorder is characterized by experiencing obsessive thoughts and emotions. And, attempting to control these obsessions with compulsive behaviors. These behaviors can include counting objects or movements, organization, and repetition.
Dependent Personality Disorder: People diagnosed with this personality disorder may not take responsibility for their behaviors. They also may rely on others heavily in order to overcome self-esteem issues. Plus, these people may have a fear of being alone.
Avoidant Personality Disorder: The symptoms of this personality disorder include not being comfortable in social settings due to an innate fear of the judgment of others.
Not every personality disorder is associated with the same symptoms of others. So, there are different symptoms that characterize each personality disorder. But, some of the common and more recognizable symptoms of personality disorders can include:
If you think you may be suffering from an undiagnosed personality disorder because you recognize the signs of personality disorder in your life, there is help available. There are a number of treatments that are successful in helping people living with these mental health conditions establish helpful ways to cope with symptoms. And, establish lives of mental and physical wellbeing. For example, Yellowbrick is an outpatient mental health facility that offers a number of forms of treatment, therapy, and care for people living with personality disorders and a variety of other mental health issues.
Yellowbrick collaborates with adolescents and emerging adults, ages 16-30's, their families and participating professionals toward the development and implementation of a strategic “Life Plan.” An integrative, multi-specialty consultation clarifies strengths, limitations, and risks, and defines motivations, goals and choices.
A mental health condition that’s characterized by intense shifts in mood including both manic and depressive episodes.
People living with Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD, experience episodes of depression and sadness that are debilitating to daily life.
Those living with anxiety disorders experience high levels of anxiety and stress that interfere negatively with daily life.
A mental health issue in which a person’s cognitive function is impaired, resulting in symptoms like experiencing challenges with conducting speech, reading and writing, and behavior.
Mental health disorders that negatively affect a person’s behaviors, thought patterns, and function. People diagnosed with these disorders experience challenges with managing relationships and understanding various situations.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that people can develop as a result of experiencing traumatic situations, characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and more.
A mental health condition that is characterized by specific symptoms of forgetfulness and lack of concentration, which makes it challenging to complete necessary tasks.
Mental health conditions that interfere with a person’s eating habits, thought patterns, and behaviors in negative ways.
A mental health disorder diagnosable with the DSM-5 that is characterized by both obsessions and compulsive behaviors.