What is true: personality disorders involve…?

From the book – Chapter 11: Mood, Psychotic and Personality Conditions

The right answer

Enduring patterns of thinking and behaving that cause distress

Personality conditions

A personality disorder involves long-standing, inflexible patterns that deviate markedly from cultural expectations; cause distress or impairment; are stable and of long duration; and are not better explained by another mental disorder, substance use, or medical condition. Diagnosis is usually made in adulthood.

Cluster A (odd or eccentric)

Paranoid: pervasive distrust and suspiciousness.
Schizoid: detachment from social relationships; limited emotional expression.
Schizotypal: discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, eccentric behaviour.

Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic)

Antisocial: disregard for and violation of others' rights; deceitfulness, impulsivity, lack of remorse (often linked to conduct disorder in childhood).
Borderline (BPD): instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions; impulsivity; intense fear of abandonment; self-harm in some people.
Histrionic: excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.
Narcissistic: grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy.

Cluster C (anxious or fearful)

Avoidant: social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to criticism.
Dependent: excessive need to be taken care of; submissive and clinging; fear of separation.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD): preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control (different from OCD).

Personality disorders exist on a spectrum; not everyone fits neatly into one category. Many people improve over time, especially with therapy (for example, DBT for BPD). Labels should be used carefully to avoid stigma; focus is on understanding patterns and supporting change.

Read the full chapter – Chapter 11: Mood, Psychotic and Personality Conditions

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Shloks

Bhagavad Gita 5.18 – The wise see the same in a learned humble person, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and one who cooks a dog.

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