Health Encyclopedia

Personality disorders

Definition

Personality disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions marked by chronic behavior patterns that cause serious problems with relationships and work.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

People with personality disorders have difficulty dealing with everyday stresses and problems, and they often have stormy relationships with others. These conditions vary from mild to severe and tend to be difficult to treat.

The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, numerous genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific type of personality disorder.

Signs and tests

Personality disorders are diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms. Currently, mental health professionals categorize these disorders into the following subtypes:

Treatment

People with these disorders usually do not seek treatment for their personality disorder on their own. They tend to seek help once their behavior has caused severe problems in their relationships or jobs, or when they are diagnosed with another psychiatric problem such as mood or substance abuse disorder. Although personality disorders are notoriously difficult to treat, there is increasing evidence that both medications and various forms of talk therapy have been able to help many people.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outlook varies. Some personality disorders diminish during middle age without any treatment, while others persist throughout life despite treatment.

Complications

Problems with interpersonal relationships
Problems with career
Other psychiatric disorders

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or mental health professional if you or someone close to you has symptoms of a personality disorder.

Review Date:11/15/2006
Reviewed By:Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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