A personality disorder is a type of disorder in which an individual has a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. They are a group of mental health conditions that are characterised by inflexible and atypical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
These inner experiences and behaviours often differ from the expectations of the culture in which someone lives. Chronic interpersonal difficulties, problems with one’s sense of self, and not being able to function adequately are some general factors that characterise most personality disorders. A personality disorder springs from the gradual development of inflexible and distorted personality and behavioural patterns that result in maladaptive ways of perceiving, thinking, and relating to the world. On the other hand, stressful experiences early in life may help pave the way for the development of these rigid and distorted personality traits. Let’s explore some of its causes in detail.
Causes of Personality Disorders
Research has found that personality disorders are thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Let’s look at some of them in brief:
Genetics
Twin studies have suggested that personality disorders are strongly heritable, estimated at 30%–80% (Fontaine et al., 2008). In terms of being a causal factor for various personality disorders, there is a strong correlation between genes and environment. There is a significant relationship between genes related to neurotransmitter pathways and personality disorders.
Traumatic Incidents
Traumatic incidents tend to have a great impact on an individual. According to one study, childhood traumas are linked to the development of personality disorders. Childhood trauma was shown to be particularly common in people with borderline personality disorder.
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse also acts as a causal factor in the onset of a personality disorder. Researchers in a study asked women if they had told their children that they didn't love them or if they had threatened to send them away. Individuals who faced verbal abuse as children were three times more likely to develop personality disorders as adults, as compared to those who weren't subject to any verbal abuse.
Types of Personality Disorders
Personality disorders can be further classified into the following categories:
Borderline Personality Disorder
This personality disorder is marked by a great deal of suffering on the part of the patients. It is also frequently misunderstood and stigmatised by experts in the field. People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) show a pattern of behaviour characterised by impulsivity and instability in their interpersonal relationships, their self-image, and their moods.
Anti-Social Personality Disorder
People with anti-social personality disorder frequently transgress others' rights. The anti-social behaviour is accompanied by aggression and deceitfulness. These individuals have a lengthy history of unsocialized and irresponsible behavior, with little regard for their own or others' safety. These features cause individuals to clash with society regularly.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Individuals with dependent personality disorder have a strong desire to be cared for. This desire manifests itself in clinging and submissive behavior. They also express extreme apprehension at the prospect of being separated or, in some cases, just having to be alone because they believe they are inept. Such people tend to structure their lives around other people, putting their own needs and opinions on hold to keep these people associated with them.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder show an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a preoccupation with being admired, and a lack of empathy for the feelings of others.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Individuals with histrionic personality disorder are characterised by excessive attention-seeking behaviour and emotionality. If they are not the focus of attention, these people feel unappreciated; nonetheless, their vibrant, dramatic, and overly extraverted personalities often entice others to pay attention to them.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
People with schizoid personality disorder have a hard time building social bonds and are usually uninterested in doing so. As a result, they are unlikely to make good acquaintances, except with close family. Others may perceive such people as cold and aloof due to their inability to express their emotions. They are generally loners or introverts due to their lack of social skills.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
People with paranoid personality disorder are suspicious and distrustful of others. They frequently infer hidden meanings from seemingly innocuous and harmless statements. They tend to perceive themselves as blameless and innocent, blaming others for their faults and failings, even going so far as to accuse others of malicious motives. Such people are always anxious and "on guard," expecting deceit and hunting for clues to confirm their suspicions while ignoring all evidence to the contrary.
Dissociative Personality Disorder
A dissociative disorder is characterised by the presence of two or more distinct identities, or personalities, in a single individual. Each identity recurrently takes control of the individual's behaviour.
Treatment
Personality disorders are among the most challenging to treat. This is mostly because people with personality disorders do not consider their behaviour problematic and thus do not seek therapy. The appropriate treatment for an individual is determined by the particular personality disorder, its severity, and the circumstances.
Psychotherapy and medications go hand in hand in the treatment of different personality disorders. Through psychotherapy, an individual can learn more about his condition and discuss his moods, feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a mental health expert. He can learn to regulate his illness and cope with stress. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any drugs to treat personality disorders. Psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants, mood stabilisers, and anti-anxiety medications, on the other hand, may play a role in the treatment.
Personality disorders are a group of disorders that cause people a great deal of stress. Numerous factors contribute to a personality disorder that may or may not be under the control of an individual. The harm caused to the individual suffering from a personality disorder and their family is not realised. It is critical to recognize the harm caused by personality disorders, so that instead of constantly suffering, the individuals can seek treatment and get aid in securing a normal life.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1476179308000025
Butcher, James N, Susan Mineka, and Jill M. Hooley. Abnormal Psychology. Boston: Pearson, 2013.
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