Personality Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Personality disorders are long-lasting patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are very different from what society expects. These patterns usually begin in teenage years or early adulthood and can affect how a person sees themselves, relates to others, and responds to everyday situations. People with personality disorders often struggle in relationships, at work, or in social settings.
Many people ask:
What are the 10 personality disorders?
Let’s explore them in simple terms.
Detailed Overview of the 10 Personality Disorders
1. Paranoid Personality Disorder
People with paranoid personality disorder are extremely suspicious of others. They often believe people are plotting against them, lying to them, or trying to harm them—even when there’s no proof. This mistrust makes it hard for them to form close relationships.
Common signs:
🟦 Constant doubts about other people’s intentions
🟦 Holding grudges for a long time
🟦 Reading hidden threats in innocent comments
🟦 Reluctance to confide in anyone
Impact: They may struggle at work and in relationships due to their constant suspicion and guarded nature.
2. Schizoid Personality Disorder
This type of personality disorder is marked by a strong preference for being alone. People with schizoid personality disorder appear emotionally cold and are indifferent to praise or criticism.
Common signs:
🟦 No desire for close friendships or romantic relationships
🟦 Little interest in activities or hobbies
🟦 Emotional flatness or detachment
🟦 Choosing solitary jobs or hobbies
Impact: These individuals often live isolated lives, not because of social anxiety, but because they genuinely prefer solitude.
3. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
People with schizotypal personality disorder often come across as odd or eccentric. They may believe in magical thinking or have unusual ways of speaking or behaving.
Common signs:
🟦 Belief in special powers, superstitions, or telepathy
🟦 Speaking in vague or unusual ways
🟦 Emotional flatness or detachment
🟦 Discomfort in close relationships
🟦 Social anxiety and paranoia
Impact: They may be socially withdrawn and misinterpreted by others, leading to isolation.
4. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
Commonly associated with sociopathy, antisocial personality disorder involves ignoring social norms and the rights of others. These individuals often lie, manipulate, and break laws without feeling guilty.
Common signs:
🟦 Repeatedly breaking the law
🟦 Being deceitful or manipulative
🟦 Acting impulsively without planning
🟦 Aggressive behavior and fights
🟦 Lack of empathy or remorse
Impact: ASPD is often linked to criminal behavior, substance abuse, and unstable jobs or relationships.
5. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most well-known personality disorders. People with BPD feel emotions intensely and struggle with self-image and relationships..
Common signs:
🟦 Fear of abandonment
🟦 Intense, unstable relationships
🟦 Rapid mood changes and irritability
🟦 Impulsive behaviors (spending, risky sex, substance use)
🟦 Self-harming or suicidal actions
🟦 Chronic feelings of emptiness
Impact:Life can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, affecting work, family, and self-esteem.
6. Histrionic Personality Disorder
This disorder is about being overly emotional and attention-seeking. People with histrionic personality disorder often want to be the center of attention at all times.
Common signs:
🟦 Dramatic, theatrical speech and behavior
🟦 Dressing provocatively or flirtatiously
🟦 Being easily influenced by others
🟦 Thinking relationships are closer than they really are
Impact:Although they may appear charming, relationships are often shallow and full of conflict.
7. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
People with narcissistic personality disorder believe they are more important or talented than others. They seek admiration but lack empathy for others.
Common signs:
🟦 Sense of superiority or entitlement
🟦 Fantasies of unlimited success or power
🟦 Envy or belief that others envy them
🟦 Taking advantage of people for personal gain
🟦 Arrogant behavior
Impact:They often face problems in relationships and the workplace due to their self-centered nature.
8. Avoidant Personality Disorder
This disorder involves extreme fear of rejection or criticism. People with avoidant personality disorder want relationships but avoid them out of fear.
Common signs:
🟦 Avoiding social or work situations
🟦 Feeling inferior or unattractive
🟦 Reluctance to try new things
🟦 Sensitivity to rejection or criticism
Impact:They often face problems in relationships and the workplace due to their self-centered nature.
9. Dependent Personality Disorder
People with dependent personality disorder have a deep need to be taken care of. They rely heavily on others for decisions and fear being alone.
Common signs:
Difficulty making decisions without reassurance
Fear of disagreeing with others
Going to great lengths to get support
Feeling helpless when alone
Quickly seeking new relationships after one ends
Impact: These individuals may stay in unhealthy or abusive relationships to avoid being alone.
10. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Not to be confused with OCD, OCPD is about perfectionism, control, and orderliness to the point where it interferes with daily life.
Common signs:
Over-focus on details, rules, and lists
Struggling to finish tasks due to perfectionism
Being rigid about morality or values
Hoarding items with no value
Difficulty delegating or working with others
Impact: Relationships can be strained, and productivity may suffer due to inflexibility and over-control.
Other Conditions Related to Personality Disorders
Personality Change Due to Another Medical Condition
This happens when a person’s personality shifts because of a physical illness or brain injury. The person may become impulsive, aggressive, apathetic, or paranoid depending on which part of the brain is affected.
Other Specified or Unspecified Personality Disorders
This happens when a person’s personality shifts because of a physical illness or brain injury. The person may become impulsive, aggressive, apathetic, or paranoid depending on which part of the brain is affected.
Other Specified Personality Disorder (OSPD)
The person clearly meets the general definition of a personality disorder (long-term, inflexible, and distressing traits), but their symptoms don’t align exactly with any of the specific 10 personality disorders.
Unspecified Personality Disorder (UPD)
The person appears to have a personality disorder, but there isn’t enough clear information to make a more specific diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are long-term patterns of behavior, thinking, and feeling that are very different from what’s expected in a person’s culture. These patterns can make it hard to relate to others, manage emotions, or handle everyday life.
The 10 major types are:
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
BPD is marked by intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, and fear of abandonment. People with BPD may experience mood swings and may struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
The most effective treatment is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Other options include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication for mood symptoms, and emotional regulation strategies.
Antisocial personality disorder involves ignoring the rights of others, breaking rules, and showing a lack of empathy. It is commonly associated with deceitful, impulsive, and sometimes criminal behavior.
No. “Split personality disorder” is an old term often confused with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)—a rare condition where a person has two or more distinct identities. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is about emotional instability, not multiple identities.
Yes, it is real but now called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). It is not one of the 10 personality disorders but falls under dissociative disorders and is often linked to severe trauma.
Causes may include genetics, early childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, and environmental factors. Brain chemistry and personality development also play roles.
Personality disorders are long-lasting, but with proper treatment, many people can manage symptoms and improve their relationships and quality of life. Early intervention helps.
Other Specified Personality Disorder (OSPD): Symptoms don’t fit into one specific category, but the doctor explains the reason (e.g., mixed traits).
Unspecified Personality Disorder (UPD): Symptoms are present, but there’s not enough information to assign a specific diagnosis—often a temporary label.
If you or someone you know has trouble with emotions, relationships, or behavior that’s causing distress or affecting daily life, it’s a good time to speak to a mental health professional.
