Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by long-lasting, disruptive patterns of thinking, behavior, mood, and relating to others2. These patterns can cause significant distress and impair a person's ability to function in various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and social functioning.
There are 10 types of personality disorders, which are organized into three main clusters2:
Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric Disorders):
Paranoid Personality Disorder: Characterized by a relentless mistrust and suspicion of others without adequate reason.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: Marked by detachment from and general disinterest in interpersonal relationships.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Involves intense discomfort with and limited need for close relationships, along with distorted views of reality.
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Disorders):
Antisocial Personality Disorder: Involves a disregard for the rights of others and a lack of empathy.
Borderline Personality Disorder: Characterized by instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions.
Histrionic Personality Disorder: Marked by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Involves a grandiose sense of self-importance and a need for admiration.
Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful Disorders):
Avoidant Personality Disorder: Characterized by social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy.
Dependent Personality Disorder: Involves a pervasive need to be taken care of and fear of separation.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: Marked by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.
Treatment for personality disorders typically involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialecticalBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning. This instability often disrupts relationships and can lead to impulsive actions and intense emotional responses.
### Symptoms
People with BPD may experience:
- **Fear of Abandonment**: Going to extreme measures to avoid real or imagined separation or rejection.
- **Unstable Relationships**: Intense and unstable relationships, often swinging between idealization and devaluation.
- **Distorted Self-Image**: Rapid changes in self-identity, goals, and values, often seeing oneself as bad or nonexistent.
- **Impulsivity**: Engaging in risky behaviors such as gambling, unsafe sex, substance abuse, or reckless driving.
- **Emotional Instability**: Intense mood swings that can last from a few hours to a few days.
- **Chronic Feelings of Emptiness**: Persistent feelings of emptiness or boredom.
- **Inappropriate Anger**: Intense anger or difficulty controlling anger, leading to frequent outbursts or physical fights.
- **Paranoia or Dissociation**: Periods of stress-related paranoia or loss of contact with reality.
### Caus