Personality disorders

A personality disorder or character disorder is a type of personality where a person thinks, feels and behaves differently from how society expects them to; where these traits would be flexible in most people, these traits are rigid and unworkable in someone with a personality disorder and create lasting patterns and often lasting problems. These thoughts, feelings and behaviours can cause problems for the person, and for other people around them. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, personality disorders are classed as a kind of mental disorder and are treated by medical professionals.

Types

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a book about mental illness written by the American Psychiatric Association, there are ten personality disorders. They are split into three "clusters" or groups.

Cluster A: Odd or eccentric

• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder

Cluster B: Dramatic or emotional

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder

Cluster C: Anxious or fearful

• Avoidant personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder