It is a severe disturbance in the characterological constitution and behavioural tendencies of an individual; it usually involves several areas of the personality, and is nearly always associated with considerable personal and social disruption. It tends to appear in late childhood or adolescence and continues to manifest into adulthood. However, personality disorders exist on a continuum and so they can be mild or severe depending on the characteristics and the way that a persons thinking/ behaviour is effected by the condition. Many people who have mild personality disorders ie personality traits, can lead very independent and successful lives, but during times of crisis or stress may display behaviour that is typical of the personality disorder.

In general, the term personality disorder is used to describe the more severe end of these disorders, where peoples thinking/ behaviour and perception of the world around them is greatly effected by the disorder. It generally includes several distinct characteristics:

• Severe disturbances in self-image
• Reduced ability to have successful interpersonal relationships
• Inappropriate range of emotions
• Disturbances in the way that they perceive themselves, others and the world in which they live
• Poor impulse control

These characteristics combine together to create a pervasive pattern of behaviour and inner experiences that is very different to how others perceive the culture and world in which they live. The behaviour is often expressed in ways that other people and society as a whole find difficult to understand and or tolerate.

The diagnostic criteria also emphasise that:

• The enduring pattern of behaviour is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of social and personal situations
• That this enduring pattern leads to clinically significant distress/ impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning
• The pattern is stable and of a long duration and can be traced back to adolescence or young adulthood.
• That the pattern of behaviour is not better accounted for by any other mental disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of drug use, or head injury for example.

There are various different types of Personality Disorder:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Histrionic Personality Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
• Paranoid Personality Disorder
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Click on this link to find out more information about the different types of personality disorder Mental Health Net

It is not known exactly what causes these disorders, but it is thought to be a combination of parental upbringing, the personality of the individual and factors that have influenced the development of the individual. For instance it is recognized that many people diagnosed with personality disorders have experienced abuse and/ or emotional neglect during their early childhood years. However it is also thought that there may be genetic and biological components to these disorders. It is noticeable though that the extremes in behaviour often become more apparent in times of stress/ crisis, new situations and in trying to cope with interpersonal relationships. As such, treatment and support often tend to try and work on an individuals coping strategies and their ability to relate to and with other people.

To gain more information about Personality Disorder please follow the link to the National Mind Information leaflet called Understanding Personality Disorder