Personality disorders are characterized by inflexible and unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. Causes of these disorders are often not known, but they may have root in genetics and early childhood experiences.
People with a personality disorder may not seek treatment because they do not recognize the problem. When the personality disorder results in problems relating to others and performing daily life tasks, the people may blame others or they may not ask for help.
Personality disorders types:
- Paranoid – suspicious and emotionally detached
- Schizoid – lacking emotion or interest in others
- Schizotypal – peculiar behavior or beliefs
- Antisocial – disregard for rules, laws or others' rights
- Borderline – unstable, risky behavior
- Histrionic – emotional, attention-seeking
- Narcissistic – exaggerated focus on self
- Avoidant – feeling inadequate, isolated
- Dependent – unhealthy reliance on others
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder – rigid control, extreme perfectionism (this differs from obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder)
Treatments for personality disorders vary depending upon the type of disorder and its severity. However, most disorders are treated with therapy and medication.