PERSONALITY DISORDERS ● They often experience discomfort in social

Personality Disorders are an enduring pattern of inner situations and may have difficulty forming and
experience and behavior that deviates markedly from maintaining close relationships.
the expectations of the individual’s culture, is ● Some individuals with STPD may have
pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence perceptual distortions, such as unusual
or early adulthood, is stable overtime, and leads to sensory experiences or magical thinking.
distress or impairment. ● It's important to differentiate STPD from
schizophrenia, as the latter is a more severe
CLUSTER A: Odd or Eccentric Behavior and debilitating mental disorder.
Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by ● Does not have persistent psychotic symptoms
odd or eccentric behavior, thinking, and (delusions and hallucination)
communication. These disorders can lead to significant
difficulties in forming and maintaining interpersonal Overall, Cluster A personality disorders are marked by
relationships and can cause distress to the individuals their unusual and idiosyncratic behaviors and thought
themselves and those around them. There are three patterns. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy
main personality disorders in Cluster A: and, in some cases, medication to manage associated
symptoms like anxiety or depression. Early
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD): has both intervention and support can help individuals with
negative and positive these disorders lead more fulfilling lives and improve
● Key features include extreme distrust and their social functioning.
suspicion of others, even when there is no
evidence to support these suspicions.
● Individuals with PPD are often hypersensitive Personality Common Traits
Disorder Key Features and Behaviors
to perceived slights or betrayals and are
quick to become defensive. - Extreme distrust - Hypersensitivity
● They tend to be very guarded and may have and suspicion of to perceived
difficulty confiding in others. others. slights.
● This distrust can lead to social isolation and Paranoid
strained relationships. Personality - Difficulty
- Quick to become
Disorder confiding in
defensive.
others.
Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD): has negative
● Individuals with SPD have a pervasive - Tendency toward
social isolation.
pattern of detachment from social
relationships and a limited range of emotional
- Detachment from - Limited
expression. social emotional
● They often prefer solitude and may have little relationships. expression.
interest in forming close relationships,
including romantic ones. Schizoid - Lack of interest
- Preference for
● While they may have a rich inner world, they Personality in close
solitude.
have difficulty sharing their thoughts and Disorder relationships.
emotions with others.
● It's important to note that having SPD doesn't - Difficulty sharing
thoughts and
necessarily mean an individual has emotions.
schizophrenia, but there can be some overlap
in symptoms. Schizotypal
Personality - Eccentric beliefs - Discomfort in
Disorder and behaviors. social situations.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD): has
positive
● STPD is characterized by eccentric beliefs, - Unusual thought - Difficulty
patterns. forming close
behaviors, and thought patterns. relationships.
● Individuals with STPD may have peculiar or
unconventional beliefs and superstitions.
 ● NPD is characterized by an excessive sense of
- Perceptual - Magical
self-importance, a need for admiration, and a
distortions (in thinking or odd
some cases). beliefs. lack of empathy for others.
● Individuals with NPD often have a grandiose
sense of their own abilities and
CLUSTER B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic achievements.
Behavior ● They may be preoccupied with fantasies of
Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by unlimited success and power.
dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior. Individuals ● In relationships, they can be exploitative and
with these disorders often struggle with impulse expect special treatment.
control, emotional regulation, and maintaining stable
relationships. There are four main personality Individuals with Cluster B personality disorders often
disorders in Cluster B: face challenges in maintaining healthy relationships
and managing their emotions and impulses. Treatment
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): typically involves psychotherapy, particularly
● ASPD is characterized by a pervasive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for BPD, and
disregard for the rights of others and a lack sometimes medication to manage symptoms like
of empathy. depression or anxiety. Early intervention and therapy
● Individuals with ASPD may engage in can help individuals with these disorders improve their
behaviors such as deceit, manipulation, emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.
impulsivity, and a history of legal problems.
● They may have a pattern of disregarding
social norms and the rights of others, which
can lead to criminal behavior.
● People with ASPD often have a superficial
charm that they use to manipulate others.
Common Traits
Disorder Key Features and Behaviors
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):
● BPD is characterized by unstable mood, self- - Disregard for - Deceit,
image, and interpersonal relationships. others' rights and manipulation, and
● Individuals with BPD often experience intense feelings. impulsivity.
and rapidly shifting emotions, leading to
impulsive behavior and self-harm. - Frequent legal
Antisocial - Lack of empathy problems and
● They may have a fear of abandonment, Personality or remorse. irresponsible
which can lead to clinginess or frantic efforts Disorder behavior.
to avoid real or perceived rejection.
● BPD can be marked by a chronic sense of - History of
- Superficial
aggression and
emptiness and identity disturbance. charm and
violation of societal
charisma.
norms.
Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD):
● HPD is characterized by a pattern of seeking - Unstable mood, - Intense fear of
self-image, and abandonment and
attention and being overly emotional and
relationships. rejection.
dramatic.
● Individuals with HPD may engage in
Borderline - Impulsive & - Identity
attention-seeking behaviors, such as being Personality self-destructive disturbance and
overly seductive or provocative. Disorder behaviors. chronic emptiness.
● They often have shallow relationships and
are easily influenced by others. - Frequent self-harm
- Intense and rapid
● HPD individuals may be uncomfortable when or suicidal
emotional shifts.
they are not the center of attention. behaviors.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD):

 even to the detriment of their own
- Excessive - Shallow and
independence.
attention-seeking rapidly shifting
behavior. emotions. ● They may have difficulty expressing
disagreement or making decisions
Histrionic - Discomfort when independently.
- Provocative and
Personality not the center of ● DPD can lead to unhealthy, codependent
seductive behavior.
Disorder attention. relationships.

- Often dramatic - Difficulty with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

and genuine, deep (OCPD):
impressionable relationships.
● OCPD is characterized by a preoccupation
with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.
- Grandiose sense - Belief in one's
of self- unique talents and ● Individuals with OCPD may be overly
Narcissistic importance. entitlement. focused on rules, lists, and work to the
Personality extent that it interferes with their ability to
Disorder - Need for - Lack of empathy complete tasks.
excessive and exploitative ● They often have difficulty delegating tasks
admiration. behavior. and may be seen as controlling or rigid by
others.
- Fragile self- - Envious of others' ● OCPD is distinct from Obsessive-Compulsive
esteem underneath success and
the facade. achievements.
Disorder (OCD), which involves intrusive,
distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
In OCPD, the focus is on perfectionism and
control rather than obsessions and
CLUSTER C: Anxious or Fearful Behavior compulsions.
Cluster C personality disorders are characterized by
anxious and fearful behavior. Individuals with these People with Cluster C personality disorders may
disorders often experience high levels of anxiety and experience significant distress and impairment in their
tend to be preoccupied with concerns related to daily lives due to their anxiety-driven behaviors.
security, control, and social acceptance. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, such as
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure
Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD): therapy, to help individuals confront and manage their
● AvPD is characterized by a pervasive fear of anxieties. Medication may also be prescribed to
rejection, criticism, or disapproval, which alleviate symptoms of anxiety or depression that often
leads to avoidance of social interactions and accompany these disorders. Early intervention and
situations. therapeutic support can help individuals with Cluster C
● Individuals with AvPD often have low self- personality disorders improve their quality of life and
esteem and view themselves as socially inept relationships.
or inferior.
● They desire social connections but are
Personality Common Traits
inhibited by their intense fear of negative Disorder Key Features and Behaviors
judgment.
● This disorder can lead to social isolation and Extreme fear of
Reluctance to
loneliness. rejection,
engage in new
criticism, or
social situations.
disapproval.
Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD):
● DPD is marked by an excessive need to be Avoidant Avoidance of
Personality Hypersensitivity to
social
taken care of and a fear of being left to fend Disorder negative
interactions due
for oneself. evaluation.
to anxiety.
● Individuals with DPD often rely heavily on
others for decision-making and daily tasks, Strong desire for Fear of humiliation
social or embarrassment.
 connections, Borderline Personality Disorder is one of the most
despite fear. common personality disorders in clinical settings.

Excessive need Difficulty making Dysfunction in the areas of emotion is sometimes

to be taken care decisions considered one of the core features of BPD and is one
of. independently.
of the best predictors of suicide in this group.
Over-reliance on
Dependent Fear of being Significantly, this area in the brain is involved in
others for
Personality left to fend for
emotional and emotion regulation and dysfunctional serotonin
Disorder oneself.
practical support. neurotransmission, linking these findings with
Submissive and Difficulty genetic research. Low serotonergic activity is involved
easily expressing with the regulation of mood and impulsivity.
influenced by disagreement or
others. asserting oneself.
Histrionic Personality Disorder and Antisocial
Preoccupation Perfectionism and Personality Disorder may be sex-typed alternative
with orderliness excessive attention expressions of the same unidentified underlying
and control. to detail.
condition.
Obsessive-
Compulsive People with DPD are similar to those with avoidant
Personality Inflexibility in Overemphasis on
Disorder standards and work and personality disorder in their feelings of inadequacy,
(OCPD) rules. productivity. sensitivity to criticism, and need for reassurance.
However, people with Avoidant Personality
Struggles with Disorder respond to these feelings by avoiding
Difficulty
adapting to change relationships, whereas those with Dependent
delegating tasks.
and spontaneity.
Personality Disorder respond by clinging to
relationships.

Treating people with personality disorders is often

difficult because they usually do not see that their
difficulties are a result of the way they relate to others.

Extra Infos:
 posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress
disorder.

Trauma and stressor-related disorders all share a

proximal instigating stressful event followed by
intense emotional responses, that’s why they did not fit
as neatly with other classes of disorders, such as the
anxiety disorders.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

 Exposure to a traumatic event during which an

individual experiences

 Witnesses’ death or threatened death, actual or

threatened serious injury, or actual or
threatened sexual violation

 Traumatic event occurred to a close family

member or friend

 When memories occur suddenly, accompanied

by strong emotion, and the victims find
themselves reliving the event, they are having
a flashback

 Anhedonia- loss of pleasure-seeking behavior

TRAUMA & STRESSOR-RELATED

DISORDERS

This set of disorders—trauma and stressor-related

disorders—include attachment disorders in
childhood following inadequate or abusive child-
rearing practices, adjustment disorders characterized
by persistent anxiety and depression following a
stressful life event, and reactions to trauma such as