Personality Disorders

Everyone has personality traits that characterise them. The way we think and behave makes each of us unique. Personality traits become a personality disorder when you have a rigid and unhealthy way of thinking and behaving. This can cause problems and limitations in relationships, the workplace and during schooling.

Many people may not be aware that they even suffer a personality disorder as this way of functioning and acting is natural for them. Usually personality disorders become apparent during the teenage years and continue into adulthood. Personality can be difficult to change, but early treatment and support can help to reduce the negative impact of unhealthy behaviours.

Types of personality disorders

There are many types of personality disorders and it is possible for a person to have more than one. Not all symptoms of a personality disorder need to be exhibited in order to be diagnosed.

Personality disorders fall into these three categories:

• odd and eccentric
• dramatic
• emotional or erratic
• anxious and fearful

Odd or eccentric

These are referred to as class A personality disorders and include odd, eccentric thinking or behaviour.

Paranoid personality disorder

This type of personality disorders involves pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. There may be an unjustified belief that others are trying to harm or deceive you—resulting in suspicion of the loyalty and trustworthiness of others. A person may hold grudges and become angry or hostile to what they perceive as an insult.

Schizoid personality disorder

People with schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone and avoid close relationships. They may have issues picking up normal social clues and have a limited range of emotional expression. They can also come across as cold or indifferent to others.

Schizotypal personality disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder has elements of paranoid and schizoid personality disorder but with distortions of thinking and perception. They may have a peculiar or eccentric way of dressing, thinking, talking and behaving. Odd perceptual experiences, such as hearing a voice whisper your name may also be experienced.

Dramatic, emotional or erratic

If you have a pattern of behaving in a dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable way, it could be that you have one of the following cluster B personality disorders.

Antisocial personality disorder

Often people with antisocial personality disorder have a disregard for others needs or feelings. They often have reoccurring problems with the law due to stealing, conning others, lying and other unlawful behaviours. These people can be aggressive, violent, impulsive and lack remorse.

Borderline personality disorder

People with borderline personality disorder are likely to have:

• wide mood swings
• inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling anger
• chronic feelings of emptiness
• recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures or threats, or self-harming behaviour
• impulsive and self-destructive behaviour
• a pattern of unstable relationships
• persistent unstable self-image or sense of self
• fear of abandonment
• periods of paranoia

Understanding borderline personality disorder is important as it is often misdiagnosed as another mood disorder.

Histrionic personality disorder

Characterised by a pervasive pattern of excessive emotion and attention seeking. A person might act in a dramatic, emotional or provocative way to gain attention. They may also be excessively concerned with physical appearance and think relationships with others are closer than they really are.

Narcissistic personality disorder

This type of personality disorder involves the belief that you are better and more important than others. Often a person is perceived as being arrogant as so much importance is placed on themselves and there is a failure to recognise others’ needs and feelings.

Anxious or fearful

Cluster C personality disorders are characterised as anxious or fearful thinking or behaviour. 

Avoidant personality disorder

People with avoidant personality disorder may experience the following:

• hypersensitivity to negativity or rejection
• Feeling inadequate, inferior or unattractive
• avoidance of work activities, meeting strangers or new activities
• extreme shyness in social situations and personal relationships
• fear of disapproval, embarrassment or ridicule

Dependent personality disorder

This usually involves a is a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, which leads to submissive and clinging behaviour with a fear of separation. Often there is low self confidence which requires excessive advice and reassurance from others.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control. This is often at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.

Ways to address a personality disorder

Treatment depends on what type of personality disorder you have and how much it impacts your life. Often a combined approach is required which can involve the following:

Mental health professional

Seeking the advice from a trained health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or other therapist can lead to a diagnosis and individualised treatment plan. This may involve regular therapy sessions and medication. During sessions you will learn about the condition and healthier ways to react or cope with situations.

Dialectical behaviour therapy

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that targets mood instability and impulsivity. It is one of the main treatment options in borderline personality disorder as it teaches a person how to manage their emotions and learn different ways to react to people and situations.

Exercise

Looking after your general wellbeing and mental health by exercising is very important. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins which reduces anxiety, boosts mood and creates a sense of wellbeing.

Omega 3

In a small double-blind, randomized controlled trial, fifteen adolescents with borderline personality disorder supplemented with omega 3 for 12 weeks. By the end of the trial omega 3 significantly improved functioning and reduced psychiatric symptoms, compared with placebo. Fish oil supplements are a rich source of omega 3 which can help with healthy mood, cognition and behaviour.

References

1. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-w-whatper-toc~mental-pubs-w-whatper-typ
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463
3. Amminger GP, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in adolescents with borderline personality disorder and ultra-high-risk criteria for psychosis: a post hoc subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Can J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;58(7):402-8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23870722
4. Kidd PM. Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behaviour, and mood: clinical findings and structural-functional synergies with cell membrane phospholipids. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Sep;12(3):207-27 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18072818