Identify Personality Disorders
About 9 percent of the U.S. population is affected by 10 different and distinct personality disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
If you know someone who you suspect has a personality disorder, it’s important to assist him or her in getting diagnosed and treated so that he or she can lead as normal of a life as possible.
What Is a Personality Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), personality disorders are mental illnesses that are “associated with the ways of thinking and feeling about oneself and others that significantly and adversely affect how an individual functions in many aspects of life.”
10 Types of Personality Disorders
- Antisocial personality disorder: Sufferers of this personality disorder have a complete and utter disregard for others.
- Avoidant personality disorder: This disorder is characterized by a lifelong pattern of feeling very shy, inadequate and sensitive to rejection.
- Borderline personality disorder: Features of this disorder include impulsivity and instability that affects interpersonal relationships as well as perception of self image.
- Dependent personality disorder: This disorder is characterized by a pervasive psychological dependence on other people.
- Histronic personality disorder: People with this condition are extreme attention-seekers, which includes inappropriate seductive behavior.
- Narcissistic personality disorder: An individual with this disorder is excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, prestige and vanity.
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: This disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism.
- Paranoid personality disorder: Affected individuals have paranoia and a pervasive, long-standing suspiciousness and mistrust of others.
- Schizoid personality disorder: This disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, with a tendency towards a solitary lifestyle.
- Schizotypal personality disorder: People affected with this condition have the need for social isolation and also exhibit odd behavior and thinking, often with unconventional beliefs.
Sources: NIMH and APA
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.