Personality Disorders

Personality disorders involve long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate significantly from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment. These patterns typically begin in adolescence or early adulthood and are stable over time.

There are several types of personality disorders, grouped into three clusters. Cluster A includes odd or eccentric patterns (paranoid, schizoid). Cluster B includes dramatic, emotional, or erratic patterns (borderline, narcissistic, antisocial). Cluster C includes anxious or fearful patterns (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive).

Treatment for personality disorders has advanced significantly. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was specifically developed for borderline personality disorder and is highly effective. Other therapies like CBT, schema therapy, and mentalisation-based treatment are also used. While personality disorders are long-standing patterns, they can change with appropriate treatment.