Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that differ significantly from cultural expectations. These patterns are typically rigid, pervasive, and can impair daily functioning and relationships. Personality disorders are usually categorized into three clusters, each with specific characteristics: Cluster A: Odd or Eccentric Disorders 1. Paranoid Personality Disorder: Characterized by persistent distrust and suspicion of others, often without sufficient basis. Individuals may perceive others as threatening or deceitful. 2. Schizoid Personality Disorder: Marked by detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression. People with this disorder often prefer solitary activities and show little interest in close relationships. 3. Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Involves acute discomfort in social settings, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentric behaviors. It may include odd beliefs, magical thinking, or unusual speech. Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Disorders 1. Antisocial Personality Disorder: Characterized by disregard for the rights of others, impulsive behaviors, and often a lack of remorse. People with this disorder may engage in criminal behavior, lying, or deceit. 2. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Marked by instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions, with impulsivity and intense fear of abandonment. Individuals with BPD often experience emotional highs and lows, and may engage in self-harming behaviors. 3. Histrionic Personality Disorder: Involves excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. Individuals with this disorder often feel uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention and may act dramatically. 4. Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Characterized by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. People with this disorder may believe they are special and often feel entitled to special treatment. Cluster C: Anxious or Fearful Disorders 1. Avoidant Personality Disorder: Marked by extreme sensitivity to criticism and feelings of inadequacy, leading to social inhibition. People with this disorder avoid social interactions despite wanting close relationships. 2. Dependent Personality Disorder: Characterized by excessive reliance on others for emotional and decision-making support. Individuals often feel helpless and have a strong fear of separation. 3. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Involves a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Unlike OCD, OCPD involves a pervasive pattern of behavior rather than specific obsessions and compulsions. Causes and Treatment The exact causes of personality disorders are complex, involving genetic, environmental, and social factors. Treatment often includes therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for BPD or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and may also involve medication for co-occurring symptoms like depression or anxiety. contact us Arunoday counseling clinic Indore Madhya Pradesh Psychotherapist marriage councellor psychologist mental health Therapist