Personality Disorder

Personality Disorder is a condition in which the person thinks, perceives and behaves in a different manner. There are many types of personality disorders. Regardless of the type, the patient has an unhealthy pattern of thinking and behaving like with relationship depression. People with this disorder experience serious problems in relationships and work. Personality disorder symptoms usually emerge in adolescent age and gradually grow over years. Genetic and family factors may cause this disorder. Fear or painful experiences in the childhood may contribute to this disorder.

Personality Disorder Groups

Personality disorders are grouped into three categories based on characteristics and symptoms. More often, people diagnosed with one type of personality disorder may have the signs of one or more additional personality disorders. Understanding personality disorder symptoms is the first step to get relief from the disorder.

Group A

The main personality disorders belonging to Group A category include paranoid personality disorder, Schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal disorder which can be helped by alternative treatments for depression. Paranoid Personality Disorder- Thinking other people are lying, feeling that they cannot believe their friends, worrying about sharing any confidential information with others, worrying their spouse is not faithful though there is no proof for it and thinking that there are some hidden meaning in normal remarks made by others are some of the paranoid personality disorder symptoms.

Schizoid Personality Disorder- Having no or very little desire to build intimate relationship and giving preference to activities that do not need interaction with others may be the symptoms of this disorder.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder- delusional thoughts and unusual behaviors may be the symptoms of this disorder. For instance, thinking that headlines in the newspaper have some secret message to them and believing in supernatural powers.

Group B

Antisocial, histrionic and borderline personality disorders belong to this category. Lack of regret or concern about other people in distress, irresponsible behavior, lack of guilt for making mistakes and blaming others for their problems are the antisocial personality disorder symptoms.  Having impulses to harm oneself and having unstable relationship with others are the symptoms of borderline disorder. Excessive emotions, dressing in a provocative manner and engaging in sexually seductive behavior, which is inappropriate and being self centered are the symptoms of histrionic disorder.

Group C

Avoidant personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and dependent disorder belong to Group C category. People suffering from these disorders show anxious patterns and fearful behavior. They may be socially withdrawn.

Personality Disorder Treatment Options

Individual and group therapies are the best personality disorder treatment options available. The patient may either receive treatment as an outpatient in a hospital or need hospitalization.  Psychotherapy and medications may also be recommended to relieve some symptoms. Psychotherapy allows the patient to learn about his/her condition, moods, thoughts, behaviors and feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education and dialectical behavior therapy are some of the effective methods for psychotherapy used as personality disorder treatment methods.

If the patient suffers from some other conditions like depression, eating disorders, anxiety or have relationship difficulties or risky sexual behavior, it may be difficult to treat the personality disorder. A team of family doctor of the patient, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and family members is involved in treating the disorder.