Most of us can cope with life most of the time. People with personality disorders have chronic, pervasive problems managing life’s ups and downs. People with personality disorders suffer life-altering, negative, consequences in social, career and family arenas. There are a range of personality disorders which include: Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder and finally, Schizoidal Personality Disorder. We will not go into a description of each type of disorder but will give a general description of the common manifestations of personality disorders.

 

If, after reading this material, you believe yourself of someone you know is suffering from a personality disorder seek professional medical attention. Only a health care professional can positively diagnose mental illnesses. While we may have strong suspicions of mental illness it is always recommended that one seek medical input and treatment plans.

 

Personality disorders have historically thought to be untreatable. People with personality disorders were thought to be high-risk, high-needs clients whom family doctors and psychiatrists deemed difficult to deal with. Thankfully, these ideas are changing rapidly, and we see that there is hope and health for those diagnosed with personality disorders. Interestingly longitudinal studies indicate that as one ages the symptoms of personality disorders decrease; as we age we seem to spontaneously begin to heal whether treated or not. Also noteworthy is that, like all other mental illnesses or mood disorders, there are degrees of severity; some will experience milder symptoms than others. Also like other illnesses, during times of stress or change, people with personality disorders will experience increased symptoms.

 

Some of the characteristics in common with all personality disorders are trouble maintaining relationships, disturbances in self image, difficulty with impulse control, and with managing strong emotions in a healthy way. People with personality disorders can seem over-the-top emotionally; often their emotions and behaviour seem way out of proportion to the situation and can lead to conflict with others. People with personality disorders can seem rigid in their thinking and often denigrate themselves; often people with personality disorders do not accept themselves, their reactions and their situations.  
 

Some of the symptoms of personality disorders are:

 

·         Stormy relationships

·         Frequent mood swings

·         Social isolation

·         Angry outbursts

·         Difficulty making friends

·         Suspicion and mistrust of others

·         Problems with impulse control

·         Substance abuse problems