MHM Magazine

disorder. The types of personality disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on similar characteristics and symptoms. Many people with one personality disorder also have signs and symptoms that may be shared or similar with other personality disorders. It’s not necessary to exhibit all the signs and symptoms listed for a disorder to be diagnosed. CLUSTER A PERSONALITY DISORDERS These disorders are characterised by odd, eccentric thinking or behaviour including: Paranoid personality disorder • Pervasive feelings of suspiciousness of others and feeling unable to trust others and confide in them, without any reason • Beliefs that people are lying or being nasty to them when this isn’t true Schizoid personality disorder • Feeling uninterested in forming social relationships and a preference to be alone • Feeling close relationships would interfere with their life Schizotypal personality disorder • Making close relationships is very difficult • Others may find the behaviour and reactions to emotions inappropriate or eccentric • Anxiety around those who don’t share their beliefs CLUSTER B PERSONALITY DISORDERS Cluster B personality disorders are characterised by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behaviour including: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) • Impulsive and reckless behaviour and inability to think about how their actions affect others • Doing things that others would not in order to get what they want. • Easily frustrated, aggressive or prone to violence • Others may perceive them as acting selfishly and without guilt Borderline personality disorder (BPD) • They experience strong emotions, mood swings and feelings feel difficult to cope with • Strong feelings of distress and anxiety a lot of the time • Problems with their identity and how they view themselves Histrionic personality disorder • Enjoy being the centre of attention and feeling uncomfortable about being ignored. This can cause them to behave in a way that appears over-dramatic or over-emotional. Narcissistic personality disorder • High sense of self-importance and they may act like this to cover low self-esteem • Acting selfishly to gain success and take advantage of other people CLUSTER C PERSONALITY DISORDERS Cluster C personality disorders are characterised by anxious, fearful thinking or behaviour including: Dependent personality disorder • Allow other people to take responsibility for parts of their life • Little self-confidence or being unable to do things alone • They put their own needs after the needs of others • Feel hopeless or fear being alone Avoidant personality disorder • Fear of being judged negatively which can cause them to feel uncomfortable in social situations • They don’t like criticism, worry a lot and have low self-esteem • They may want affection, but worry they will be rejected Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder • Feeling anxious if things are disorganised, unplanned or not exactly right • Having exceptionally high standards for themselves and others • Very cautious and think about the small details • Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is different to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) CAUSES Personality disorders are considered a culmination of both genetic and environmental influences. The genes we’re born with can make us vulnerable to developing a personality disorder but the presence of environmental experiences could trigger the actual development. Genetic material could be the presence of personality traits which have been passed through inherited genes, often called temperament. Environmental factors include the surroundings you grew up in, events that occurred and relationships with family members and others. RISK FACTORS Although the precise cause of personality disorders is not known, certain factors seem to increase