Mental health articles

Types of personality dysfunction Characteristic aspects of personality dysfunction are grouped into types of personality disorder. The symptoms of different personality disorders listed in systems, such as the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994), describe behaviours used by individuals to manage or control severe anxieties. The personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on descriptive similarities. This clustering system is useful in some research and educational situations, but has serious limitations in clinical situations because individuals frequently present with co-occurring personality disorders from different clusters. The clustering system has not been consistently validated. • Cluster A includes the Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypical Personality Disorders. Individuals with these disorders often appear odd or eccentric. • Cluster B includes the Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. Individuals with these disorders often appear dramatic, emotional or erratic. • Cluster C includes the Avoidant, Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders. Individuals with these disorders often appear anxious or fearful. Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is a category provided for two situations: (1) the individual’s personality pattern meets the general criteria for personality disorder and traits of several different personality disorders are present, but the criteria for any specific personality disorder are not met; or (2) the individual’s personality pattern meets the general criteria for a personality disorder, but the individual is considered to have a personality disorder that is not included in the classification (for example, passive-aggressive personality disorder). Where there is a personality disorder, one can say that a catastrophe has occurred in early life, so that the individual’s development has been compromised, leaving her vulnerable to stress and anxiety, that is, with a poor capacity for self-regulation of affect. This pattern has serious implications for infants when adults with personality disorder become parents.

Tags: personality