When people hear that someone has a personality disorder, they often think that the person is dysfunctional. However, the term refers to a category of mental health conditions with varying levels of severity. People with these conditions simply relate to the world differently than most. Learning about the various personality disorder types can clear the air for many people.

Understanding Personality Disorders

Personality Disorder TypesWith this category of mental illness, people have unhealthy ways of thinking and behaving. They have trouble relating to others and perceiving situations. These flaws cause significant issues in their careers, education, relationships, and social activity.

Many people don’t realize that they have mental disorders. Their behavior and thought patterns seem natural to them, so they don’t notice that something is wrong. Instead, they tend to blame others for the problems and challenges in their lives.

These problems usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood. Although some mental conditions become less obvious with age, others remain the same or worsen.

Personality Disorder Types

There are 10 distinct personality disorder types. Experts divide these types into three clusters based on similar symptoms and traits. Like other health conditions, diagnoses don’t require people to have all of the symptoms. It’s also common for them to have more than one disorder, usually from the same cluster.

Cluster A

Cluster A disorders include paranoid (PPD), schizoid (SPD) and schizotypal personality disorders (STPD).

People with PPD often have trust issues. Loved ones can usually see this pattern. However, PPD isn’t a psychotic disorder.

Those with SPD display a persistent lack of emotion, motivation, and desire to have relationships. They’re usually indifferent, detached from society, and show limited emotion.

People with STPD have severe relationship and social limitations. They often have trouble enjoying life regardless of the situation. They also prefer to partake in activities that don’t involve others.

Cluster B

Experts label Cluster B as having dramatic, emotional, and erratic disorders. These include antisocial (ASPD), borderline (BPD), histrionic (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorders (NPD).

Those with ASPD exploit, manipulate, and violate other people’s rights. They often cross the line from disruptive to criminal.

BPD is a severe illness that causes unstable emotions and moods. People struggle to regulate their emotions, which results in chaotic relationships and impulsive behaviors.

The traits of HPD include trying to draw attention in highly dramatic and emotional ways. These patterns are extensive and persistent compared to normal behavior, including seductive behavior. People with HPD can have successful lives. However, those with severe symptoms may face challenges in school or careers.

People with NPD display a consistent pattern of obsession with themselves and total disregard for others. They feel entitled because their distorted thoughts give them a sense of prestige.

Cluster C

The personality disorder types in Cluster C have anxious and fearful traits. They include avoidant (AvPD), dependent (DPD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders (OCPD).

The extreme traits of AvPD include distrust, fear of rejection, feelings of weakness, and shyness. People with AvPD avoid close relationships and social situations despite wanting to enjoy those aspects of life. They also have poor social skills and low self-esteem.

Those with DPD rely too much on others to meet their physical and emotional needs. These traits lead to clingy, submissive behavior because they’re extremely afraid of separation. They also don’t trust their own judgment and defer decisions to others.

People with OCPD fixate on control, order, and rules. They firmly follow procedures while needing to maintain strict control over situations and people. They believe that their way is the only and correct way.

There’s Help Available for Personality Disorder Types

If you have a mental health disorder, Rose Hill Center can teach you healthier ways of thinking and behaving. The staff at our Holly, Michigan, facility provides a range of mental health services, including:

Don’t let a mental illness destroy your relationships or hold you back from success. Overcome the problem with help from Rose Hill Center. Contact us now at 866-367-0220 to get started.