Personality Disorders And Treatment

Counselors and Therapists Specializing In Personality Disorders

Understanding Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are a class of mental health problems defined as an enduring pattern of maladaptive thinking and behavior which causes trouble with social, family, romantic and work relationships. The thoughts and behaviors that are troubling are not typically considered problematic by the person suffering from the disorder but the consequences of their behavior are considered troubling.

There are 3 different broad types of personality disorders- clusters A, B and C.

Cluster A personalities can be seen as odd, bizarre, or eccentric.

Cluster B personalities are thought of as dramatic and erratic personalities.

Finally, Cluster C personalities are anxious and fearful.

CLUSTER A
1. Paranoid personalities have an enduring pattern of believing people dislike them, want to hurt them or shame and embarrass them. They tend to withdraw from relationship and become defensively angry with little actual evidence for this ongoing conclusion.
2. Schizoid personalities tend to dramatically withdraw from life and others until some stressor or problem evokes a need for others and to be helped, which amplifies their conflict and forces them to leave their isolation.
3. Schizotypal personalities are typically withdrawn as well but often demonstrate odd beliefs and/or an odd appearance and sometimes ‘magical beliefs” in their prowess, intelligence or “God gifted” abilities.

CLUSTER B
4. Antisocial personalities often lack true empathy for others and may demonstrate hurtful, rejecting or exploitive behaviors with little or no remorse towards others. They seem to lack guilt and shame for their misbehaviors.
5. Borderline personalities often have tumultuous relationships with loved ones and co-workers. These troubles often lead them into psychotherapy for some sort of relief.
6. Histrionic personalities exaggerate troubles and pains in their lives for emotional contact and sympathy, which often causes others others to turn away from them after a time as friends and family become fatigued with their “injuries” and troubles.
7. Narcissistic personalities tend to have a depleted sense of self and compulsively need to attract attention to themselves to bolster their self-deficits. Lacking in true self love they are in dire need of filling their lack with the attention of others.

CLUSTER C
8. Avoidant personalities avoid emotional and social engagement with others. They need constant reassurance from others in relationship or their fear causes them to avoid and withdraw.
9. Dependent personalities lack self-identification. They always need others to direct them and give permission for basic decisions about their life and their self-care. They easily give in or fail to take a position they believe in for fear they will be rejected if others do not approve.
10. Obsessive compulsive personalities are often driven by irrational feelings and impulses which make them want to control life, situations, and others in such a way that they can avoid their troubling feelings, which in turn causes relational problems.

Many times personality disorders are mild enough that they never lead an individual into treatment. Perhaps those with more distress from their personality disorders may find themselves in therapy and a better long term adjustment than those who live with milder forms of the illness.

Treatment Centers Near You

If you are struggling with a personality disorder, we want you to know that we are here to help.  We have psychotherapists available that can help you at each of our locations throughout Michigan.  Click on the office nearest you for more information.

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