Signs and Symptoms of Personality Disorders

Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific type of personality disorder. Most of the disorders we have looked at are ego-dystonic.  This means that those who have them are aware they havea problem and tend to be distressed by their symptoms.  Eg  OCD, bipolar disorder.  Ego-syntonic disorders are those where the person experiencing them doesn't necessarily think they have a problem.  Personality disorder are ego-syntonic, and are diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms.

Video:  Personality Disorders

Currently, mental health professionals categorize these disorders into three clusters which contain ten personality disorders.

the following subtypes as identified in the DSMV:

Cluster A:  Characterized by odd or eccentric personalities

paranoid personality disorder

 Individuals with this disorder do not trust others. They believe, without reason, that others are exploiting, harming, or trying to deceive them. They find hidden meaning in ordinary things, are unforgiving, and harbour feelings of resentment towards others.

schizoid personality disorder

Primarily characterized by a very limited range of emotion, both in expression and experience, individuals are indifferent to social relationships. People with this disorder almost always choose solitary hobbies and have little interest in sexual relationships. They take pleasure in few, if any, activities and are somewhat indifferent to praise or criticism from others.

schizotypal personality disorder

Individuals possess unusual methods of thinking. They hold odd beliefs and have eccentricities of appearance, behaviour, interpersonal style, and thought. Individuals may believe in psychic phenomena and magical powers. They may also have excessive social anxiety and lack close friends.

Cluster B:  Characterized by dramatic, emotional or impulsive personality characteristics.  Behaviour is self destructive, frightening and associated with frequent hospitalization.
anti-social personality disorder

Major symptoms of this disorder include a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture as well as a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.

borderline personality disorder

 Individuals diagnosed with this disorder do not have a firm sense of their own identities. They experience rapid changes in mood, intense unstable interpersonal relationships, and marked impulsivity. Individuals also possess unstable self-images.

histrionic personality disorder

 Symptoms of this disorder include exaggerated and often inappropriate displays of over dramatic emotional reactions in everyday behaviour. Individuals also experience sudden and rapidly shifting expressions of emotion. Many people with histrionic personality disorder use their physical appearance to draw attention to themselves.
narcissistic personality disorder

Individuals with this disorder believe and behave as though they are superior to others. They lack empathy and need to be admired by others. These individuals do not have the ability to see the viewpoints of others and are hypersensitive to the opinions of others. In general, narcissistic personality disorder is a condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and an extreme preoccupation with oneself (National Library of Medicine).

Cluster C:  Characterized by anxious, fearful or avoidant personality characteristics

avoidant personality disorder

 Characterized by marked social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy, individuals with this disorder are extremely sensitive to criticism. Many people do not want to get involved with others unless they are confident of being liked.

dependent personality disorder

 Individuals diagnosed with dependent personalities have an extreme need of other people, to a point where they are unable to make any decisions or take independent stands on their own. These people have intense fear of separation, act submissively, are indecisive, and lack self-confidence.
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

This disorder is characterized by perfectionism and inflexibility. Individuals have uncontrollable patterns of thought and action and thrive on orderliness and mental/interpersonal control - often at the expense of f lexibility, openness, and efficiency. Many people are inflexible regarding matters of morality, ethics, or values and are unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value.