10 Things You Didn’t Know About Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized types of mental illness, despite affecting millions of people in the United States alone. But what exactly are personality disorders? The simple answer is that they are long-term, deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behaving that cause a lot of problems in day-to-day life. Over time, these patterns have negative impacts on our relationships with other people and ourselves—and personality disorders can sometimes lead to substance abuse or even suicide attempts. Some common personality disorders include borderline personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and schizoid personality disorder.
1) Misunderstood
Even though personality disorders are very common in America, with studies estimating that as many as 16 percent of Americans may have one, there is still a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding them. Here’s what you need to know. Personality disorders are defined by their inflexibility; people who suffer from these conditions tend to exhibit behavior patterns or traits that cause problems in multiple areas of their lives. For example, someone who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder might be unable to control his or her impulses and fears, leading him or her to check doors over and over again until they feel certain no intruders have entered his or her home. This pattern can be exhausting for both sufferers and those around them.
2) Normal personality traits can be extreme in people with personality disorders
Take Borderline Personality Disorder, for example. This is characterized by extreme emotional swings and inappropriate behavior that changes with no apparent cause. (In other words, one minute your loved one could be crying about a perceived slight from a friend, and then another minute they’re angry at you for no discernible reason.) Most people who have BPD aren’t aware of it—and may view themselves as perfectly normal. That makes diagnosing BPD challenging, but getting treatment critical: The condition is treatable with therapy or antidepressants such as Prozac or Zoloft.
3) Their reactions are different from your reactions
Psychologists used to view personality disorders as distinct and unrelated, but they now know that they often exist together. For example, someone with Borderline Personality Disorder is twice as likely to also have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and three times more likely to have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Someone with Antisocial Personality Disorder is three times more likely to also have Avoidant or Dependent Personality Disorder. Different disorders don’t just happen in conjunction—they also tend to have overlapping symptoms . For example, people with Bipolar I are more than four times as likely to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
4) Not curable, but treatable
While personality disorders can’t be cured, they can be managed. In some cases, a person may have to manage their disorder for life. Yet that doesn’t mean there’s no hope for relief. Therapy is one way in which people can find healing—and it works best when combined with medications (when necessary). Of course, not everyone is able to find or afford quality therapy or care; while society has come a long way in making treatment accessible to those who need it most, there are still those who need help but aren’t getting it. If you know someone suffering from a personality disorder, encourage them to seek out professional help from a trusted mental health provider. It could literally change their life for the better!
5) There are a lot of misconceptions about personality disorders
There are many misconceptions that personality disorders don’t really exist, that they’re fake or made up, and that sufferers are all dangerous killers. But that’s simply not true. One of 10 Americans—approximately 60 million people—have a personality disorder, with 20% to 25% affected by borderline personality disorder alone. And while it is true that some personality disorders can be fatal if left untreated, most cases aren’t nearly as extreme as pop culture would have you believe. In fact, for most people with a PD, it doesn’t significantly interfere with their lives at all.
6) It’s rare for doctors to make the diagnosis
Only 1 in 200 adults meets all criteria for a personality disorder. But personality disorders remain one of psychology’s most important fields because they’re so common and impactful—estimates suggest that 5% to 10% of people are dealing with at least one at any given time. Plus, having a personality disorder might mean your life is more stressful or challenging, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doomed for failure or unhappiness. Most people with these conditions can still lead fulfilling lives—with treatment and by learning how to cope. The first step is learning about personality disorders and what makes them tick!
7) They hide their symptoms really well sometimes
Not all personality disorders are characterized by dramatic outbursts or conflict with others. It’s common for people with these conditions to hide their symptoms from friends and family members. Often, they don’t even realize they have a problem. Because of stigma surrounding mental health issues, many people keep quiet about their symptoms for fear of being labeled crazy. The truth is that personality disorders affect nearly one in five adults—and more than 50 percent of us know someone who has been diagnosed with one. Mental health is just as important as physical health; if you think you may have a disorder, it’s worth talking to your doctor about getting treatment. In fact, effective treatments do exist—and some can make a huge difference in your life right away!
8) There are very different types of personalities
There are several different types of personality disorders, many of which fall under larger classifications, such as mood disorders or psychotic disorders. They all tend to cause problems with social interactions and daily living. If you have a friend or family member with a personality disorder, it can be hard to understand what they’re going through. On average, they are more likely to live alone and have fewer friends than people without them. It can also be hard for them to hold down a job and develop close relationships because their symptoms prevent them from handling routine demands that most people take for granted.
9) There is no checklist for diagnosing a personality disorders
Personality disorders are sometimes thought of as out of date or archaic, but that couldn’t be further from reality. Today, some of our most innovative research is taking place in personality disorder treatment. The field may not have all its answers just yet, but as new information comes to light about how these disorders develop and why they persist despite psychological interventions, we gain a greater understanding of what causes them and how to treat them.
10) We learn more every day
One in every five American adults is living with a personality disorder. And yet, most people know very little about these disorders. That’s not just sad, it’s dangerous — we are more likely to learn how to better recognize and respond to personality disorders if we can dispel some common myths and misconceptions.
Treatment Options
Personality disorders can be challenging to treat and may not respond as well to traditional treatments like therapy or medication. Some disorders may respond better to medication, but doctors usually try therapy first; a combination of both is often helpful. In some cases, psychotherapy alone can be an effective treatment for personality disorders, but medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics may also be prescribed for certain types of personality disorders. Additionally, medical professionals are starting to look at specific gene changes that may affect behavior in order to develop new treatments for mental illnesses.
When to Seek Help
There’s no magic formula for when to seek professional help. If you’re not sure if you have a personality disorder, ask yourself: Are my personal struggles keeping me from living up to my potential? Do I feel overly guilty or responsible for what happens in my life? Does it seem like no matter what I do, I can’t escape feeling depressed and hopeless? If so, talk to your doctor.
Resources
How To Get Mental Health Help – MentalHealth.Gov Website
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help