PERSONALITY DISORDERS – An overview
Abstract:
Introduction
We humans are all unique. Different in the way we think, behave, react and act in situations and in our surroundings.
In simple terms, Personality can be understood as the way one normally or typically behaves.
Example, when exposed to stress some of us want to stay aloof from the rest of the world, others may be binge-eat to destress and few others may want to talk it out with someone.
So, we all have these traits of our personality which may appear weird or uncommon. Don’t we?
But, if we all have distinctive personality traits, is the presence of uncommon traits a disorder? If not, then when will someone be called as suffering from personality disorder(PD)
The answer is, Personality disorders result when these personality traits become abnormal, that is, become inflexible and maladaptive, and cause significant social or occupational impairment, or significant subjective distress.
Also, it has been observed that more often than not symptoms of more than one personality disorder are present in one person. In fact, it is now believed that the occurrence of mixed personality disorders is commoner than single personality disorder.
These disorders interfere with everyday life and contribute to significant suffering, functional limitations, or both. They are common and are frequently encountered in virtually all forms of health care. PDs are associated with an inferior quality of life (QoL), poor health, and premature mortality. The aetiology of PDs is complex and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The clinical expression varies between different PD types; the most common and core aspect is related to an inability to build and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships.(2)
Much of a modern classification of these disorders is based on the works of German psychiatrist Kurt Schneider, Who was one of the earliest researchers into what was then known as psychopathy and published a treatise on the study in 1923. Today, the DSM 5 contains 10 distinct personality disorders which are classified in three clusters namely, cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C.
All PD of cluster A are ego-syntonic. That is, a patient has a lack of insight and is unable to perceive his or her illness.
As a result, treating these PD is quite difficult as patients do not seek treatment of their own and also resent treatment.
Perhaps the most studied of all PDs is the Borderline PD. The last PD from B cluster.
True to its name, in this personality disorder there is marked impulsivity and instability.
This is mainly known as emotionally unstable personality disorder. This disorder is further characterised by two types: impulsive type (impulsivity is the hallmark feature) and borderline type (emotional instability is the hallmark feature). The borderline type is more specifically referred to as borderline personality disorder. Well known characteristics of Borderline PD are anger outbursts, feeling of emptiness and boredom, attempts to self harm and suicidal gestures,there is instability in personal relationships, and impulsiveness.
Lastly, Cluster C has disorders considered “anxious and fearful” and characterised by “introversion”. These include Anxious (Avoidant), Dependent and Obsessive Compulsive (or Anankastic) personality disorders.
Last of all PDs is the Obsessive compulsive PD. This is most commonly identified in males and is common in the premorbid personality of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.
Sufferers of this PD have feelings of excessive doubt, preoccupation with details, perfectionism that interferes with task completion, excessive conscientiousness, excessive pedantry and adherence to social conventions, rigidity and stubbornness, unreasonable insistence that others submit to exactly their way of doing things.
Conclusion
PD can significantly disrupt the lives of both the affected person and those who care about that person. As already mentioned, most of these disorders affect the relationships of a patient. They may also cause significant morbidity in terms of work, studies etc. The fact that they are ego-syntonic only adds up to the trouble.
Nevertheless, PDs are a fascinating study and each PD has mysteries that still need to be unravelled.
About the Author
Dr. Sarah Malik
Currently pursuing MD ( part-2) in Psychiatry from Bakson Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, U.P.
BHMS – Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, DU.
Avid reader, blogger and passionate about mental health.
REFERENCES
- Ahuja Neeraj. A short textbook of psychiatry.Jaypee Brothers Med Pub.7th ed;2011.
- Ups J Med Sci. 2018 Dec; 123(4): 194–204.Published online 2018 Dec 12. doi:10.1080/03009734.2018. Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6327594/#__ffn_sectitle
Searching Tags for This Article: Homeopathic Remedies for Personality Disorders, Medicine for Personality Disorders, Treatment for Personality Disorders, Antisocial or Dissocial Pd, Narcissistic Pd, Obsessive Compulsive Pd
