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Are you Sure?

How do you know for sure that you or someone you love has a personality disorder or are simply being a jerk?  According to Mayo clinic, “personality disorder is a general term for a type of mental illness in which your ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are dysfunctional”.
 
So, do you seem out of step with the rest of society?  Do you know someone who fails to see reason, cannot seem to understand any other point of view, is paranoid, or affixes blame and responsibility to everyone but self?  People with a personality disorder often blame negative circumstances on everyone else.  It makes it very difficult to have good working relationships. Then, you, your friend or family member may be exhibiting signs of personality disorder. According to Mayo Clinic’s list of symptoms, personality disorder is:

• Frequent mood swings
• Stormy relationships
• Social isolation
• Angry outbursts
• Suspicion and mistrust of others
• Difficulty making friends
• A need for instant gratification
• Poor impulse control
• Alcohol or substance abuse

Categories of Personality Disorder

Although there are hundreds of specific personality disorders, there are basically three main categories of dysfunctional personalities. First, there are those that have odd or eccentric behavior.  For example, an individual may not trust others, have a tendency to be hostile, or indifferent to others needs and emotions.

The second group of personality disorders tends to be those that over-dramatize everything and tend to behave accordingly.  For instance, a person may be excessively emotional, try to commit suicide, always trying to seek attention, or believing he/she is better than everyone else on the planet.

The third category of personality disorders includes those people who live in constant fear, and are always anxious. If you or someone you love exhibits signs of social isolation, extreme perfectionism, or submissive to abuse, he/she has a problem that may be a personality disorder.

Of course, these are only a few of the signs, but you get the general idea.  Everyone has personality flaws.  But, if it adversely affects the ability to hold down jobs, maintain relationships, or cope with normal aspects of living, it is time to seek help.

Why?

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a personality disorder, you may wonder what could have caused such problems.  Unfortunately, you may have inherited a personality disorder.  If you have a mental disorder, there is a good chance you have a relative with similar problems.

However, it is really sad when you can attribute a personality disorder to your environment.  For instance, if you grew up being abused, it is no wonder that you now have severe trust and fear issues.  When a person grows up in an unhealthy situation, it is bound to mess with your mind and how you associate with others.

At Risk

If you or a loved one has a personality disorder, you are not alone.  Did you know that approximately 13% of people have a disorder?  But, there are certain risk factors that can come into play.  If you have a family history of mental illness, you are more like to have a personality problem.

Sadly, if you have been abused, in any way, as a child, you will be lucky if you have not developed a personality disorder. If you grew up in an unstable environment that is also probably a contributing factor.  You also may have a personality disorder, if you had personal conduct problems as a child.  Inappropriate behavior as a child can follow you into adulthood.  Unfortunately, kids who have lost a parent(s) to death or divorce are more likely to have a problem as grownups.

Consequences

Unfortunately, if you or a loved one has a personality disorder, the consequences of your thoughts and actions can be long-lasting and make life totally miserable for you or those that love you.  In a list composed by the Mayo Clinic, you may have:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Suicidal behavior
• Self-injury
• Reckless behavior
• Risky sexual behavior
• Child abuse
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Aggression or violence
• Incarceration
• Relationship difficulties
• Social isolation
• School and work problems
• Strained relationships with health care providers

In conclusion, if you or someone you love has a personality disorder, it can make life a lot more difficult and miserable.  But, help is available, if you mental health issues can be diagnosed and treated. Then, a better quality of life can be realized, with better relationships on the job, at home, and in social situations.