Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are mental disorders characterized by inflexible, deeply ingrained, maladaptive patterns of adjustment to life that cause either subjective distress or significant imnpairment in functioning.  Generally recognizable by adolescence, these disorders can not be formally diagnosed before the age of 18.  The various types are Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial, Borderline, Avoidanct, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive.  The symptoms and behaviors typical of these disorders are greatly varied, and while various medications may be used to treat some of the associated symptoms such as depression or anxiety, medications do not "cure" personality disorders.

People with personality disorders may be receptive to various kinds of therapies, although some schools of thought classify personality disorders as untreatable.  For example, a type of therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been proven effective with Borderline Personality Disorder and can be modified to work for other disorders as well. The success of treatment will depend on many factors, including the level of insight of the client,  individual circumstances, motivation of the client, and severity of symptoms.

For more information about personality disorders, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/personality-disorders/DS00562