Articles on Personality Disorders

Personality Disorder Overview
The combined and consistent patterns of emotion, thought and behavior that make an individual unique comprise personality. These characteristics are a product of your heredity and early life experience, and are generally fixed by the time you reach adulthood. All aspects of personality exist in a range or spectrum, such as: introvert to extrovert, selfless to narcissistic. But in some instances individuals can possess personality traits that represent unhealthy extremes; extremes so disabling that they are considered psychological disorders of personality.
Here are links to several articles on personality disorders.

General PD Articles Include:

What Is a Personality Disorder?
Those with personality disorders have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways. Depending on the specific disorder, these personalities are generally described in negative terms such as hostile, detached, needy, antisocial or obsessive. People with personality disorders typically experience discord and instability in many aspects of their lives, and most are prone to blame others for their problems.

Types of Personality Disorders
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR), the reference used to clinically define mental illnesses, there are ten different personality disorders categorized into three main groupings or clusters; Cluster A, Cluster B and Cluster C. This article provides information on each cluster as well as a summary of each individual disorder.

Cluster A Personality Disorders
This grouping consists of those disorders marked by odd, eccentric behavior, including Paranoid (PPD), Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders. PPD is characterized by an extreme level of distrust and suspiciousness of others. Individuals with Schizoid personality tend to be detached from social relationships and show a restricted range of expressed emotions. Schizotypal personality is typified by odd forms of thought, perception and beliefs.

Cluster B Personality Disorders
Disorders in this cluster are evidenced by dramatic, erratic behaviors and include Histrionic (HPD), Narcissistic (NPD), Antisocial (APD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Antisocial Personality, also referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy, is characterized by lack of empathy or conscience, a difficulty controlling impulses and manipulative behavior.

Cluster C Personality Disorders
This cluster of PDs is distinguished by the anxious, fearful behavior commonly seen in Obsessive-Compulsive (OCPD), Avoidant (AvPD) and Dependent Personality Disorders (DPD). People suffering from OCPD, also called Anankastic Personality Disorder, are so focused on order and perfection that their lack of flexibility interferes their ability to get things done, and to enjoy life in general. Those with Avoidant personalities experience an intense level of social anxiety. DPD is a psychological personality disorder characterized by an extreme level of clinginess and neediness.

Medication, Self-Destruction & PDs
What do we know about the effectiveness of drug therapies used in the treatment PD suicidal behavior? In the June 2007 issue of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Dr. Robert Cardish, a supervisory faculty member at Mount Sinai Psychotherapy Institute, examines the existing literature for information on the efficacy of pharmacotherapies in PD suicidality.

More Information on Personality Disorders
There are numerous on-line and in print resources with additional information on personality disorders, including: Psychology Prof Online and The Mayo Clinic: Mental Health Center.
This article is a brief summary personality disorders. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Additional PD Sources

• American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).
• Cardish, R. J. (2007) Psychopharmacologic Management of Suicidality in Personality Disorders. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52, 6.
• Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.
• Millon, T. (2004) Personality Disorders In Modern Life. John Wiley & Sons.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster A Personality Disorders are those considered to be marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders are in this category.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

PPD is a type of psychological personality disorder characterized by an extreme level of distrust and suspiciousness of others. Paranoid personalities are generally difficult to get along with, and their combative and distrustful nature often elicits hostility in others. The negative social interactions that result from their behavior then serve to confirm and reinforce their original pessimistic expectations.

Needless to say, those with PPD are unlikely to form many close relationships and are typically perceived as cold and distant. They are quick to challenge the loyalty of friends and loved ones and tend to carry long grudges (Dobbert 2007, Kantor 2004).

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Individuals with schizoid personality are characteristically detached from social relationships and show a restricted range of expressed emotions. Their social skills, as would be expected, are weak, and they do not typically express a need for attention or approval. They may be perceived by others as somber and aloof, and often are referred to as "loners."

Although it is not known with certainty that individuals with this personality disorder prefer their isolation, it is thought that, unlike individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD), schizoids do not secretly wish to be more socially outgoing (Dobbert 2007).

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personalities are characterized by odd forms of thought, perception and beliefs. They may have bizarre mannerisms, an eccentric appearance, and speech that is excessively elaborate and difficult to follow. However, these cognitive distortions and eccentricities are only considered to be a disorder when the behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing.

In social interactions, schizotypals may react inappropriately, not react at all, or talk to themselves. They may believe that they have extra sensory powers or that they are connected to unrelated events in some important way. However, they tend to avoid intimacy and typically have few close friends. Although schizotypals may marry and hold down jobs, they are prone to feel nervous around strangers (Dobbert 2007).

This article is a brief summary of Cluster A personality disorders. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Sources

American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.

Kantor, M. (2004) Understanding Paranoia: A Guide for Professionals, Families, and Sufferers. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Cluster Classification of Personality Disorders

People with psychological personality disorders have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways. Depending on the specific disorder, these personalities are generally described in negative terms such as hostile, detached, needy, antisocial or obsessive (Dobbert 2007).There are currently 10 conditions that are considered personality disorders, some of which have very little in common. Mental health professionals group those personality disorders that share characteristics into one of three clusters:

Cluster A Personality Disorders are those considered to be marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders are in this category.

Cluster B Personality Disorders are evidenced by dramatic, erratic behaviors and include Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders are distinguished by the anxious, fearful behavior commonly seen in Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders.