EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH
Personality disorders?
A personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes a person to have inflexible and unhealthy patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These patterns can cause distress and problems in relationships, work, and other areas of life.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How personality disorders might show up
Personality disorders usually begin by early adulthood and continue throughout a person’s life. The most common personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
Symptoms vary depending on the specific personality disorder but can include difficulty with relationships, unstable emotions, impulsive behaviors, distorted self-image, and difficulty coping with stress.
Individuals with borderline personality disorder, for example, may experience intense emotions and mood swings, fear of abandonment, and feelings of emptiness.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Antisocial personality disorder, on the other hand, can show through behaviors such as lying or manipulation, lack of remorse or guilt, and irritability/aggressiveness.
Personality disorders can be difficult to diagnose, but there are effective treatments available. The most common treatments for personality disorders are therapy (including individual therapy and group therapy) and medication management to help manage symptoms related to the specific condition.
Frequently asked questions about personality disorders
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It’s common for people to have more than one personality disorder, or for a personality disorder to co-occur with other mental health conditions. Diagnosing personality disorders is a careful process conducted by a behavioral health expert that involves screening and discussing your symptoms, experiences, and patterns, and ruling out other conditions.
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Like many mental health conditions, the exact cause of personality disorders is not known but research has shown that family history, brain chemistry, and environmental factors can all play roles. That can include intense, stressful life events, abuse, and issues with close relationships.