Do you or a loved one have unhealthful mental patterns or unexpected behaviours? People with personality disorders think, conduct, and function differently from others. Although it can be difficult to discern if someone is suffering from a mental illness, certain symptoms might serve as red flags.

What are personality disorders?

Personality disorders (PDs) are a diverse set of mental illnesses that can have a negative impact on our thought and behaviour patterns. Sufferers have rigid and harmful beliefs, feelings, and behaviours that affect many parts of their lives, including education, profession, relationships, social interactions, and so on. They also struggle to deal with daily tensions and problems.

According to a recent study, “personality disorders are widespread, maladaptive, and chronic patterns of behaviour, cognition, and emotion.” It causes us to have a mistaken perspective of reality, causes us to respond strangely, and impairs our functioning.

Sufferers are also more likely to experience emotional, behavioural, and interpersonal dysregulation, intimate partner violence, and concomitant psychiatric disorders, according to research. PDs (personality disorders) have been described as “a disease in disguise,” and they are linked to poor health, a lower quality of life, and premature death.

PDs can affect the following aspects of our lives – 

• How we perceive and think about ourselves & others
• How we emotionally react to internal and external factors
• How we manage and regulate our emotions
• How we relate to, connect and interact with others

According to studies, this complicated mental health disorder affects approximately “10% of the general population.” Onset usually occurs throughout adolescence or early adulthood. However, it can be difficult to recognize that you or a loved one has this illness because your thoughts, behaviours, and actions will appear normal to you. This is why it is critical to learn how to recognize the early indicators of personality disorders.

Types of personality disorders

Before delving into the warning signs of PDs, we must first obtain a better knowledge of the various forms in which this group of mental diseases can appear in someone. Personality qualities are usually found on a scale. There are various sorts of personality disorders, each of which manifests differently in different people.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), PDs are classified into three clusters and ten separate categories, which are as follows:

1. Cluster A personality disorders

People in this group are thought to be quirky, suspicious, and weird. They have difficulty trusting people, perceive daily problems as dangers, and are unable to trust others. Cluster A disorders include the following:

• Paranoid personality disorder (distrust & suspicion)
• Schizoid personality disorder (disinterest in interpersonal relationships)
• Schizotypal personality disorder (odd & eccentric thoughts & behaviors)

2. Cluster B personality disorders

Cluster B is distinguished by chaotic, dramatic, and excessively emotional behaviour. Sufferers often have a negative self-image and intense, yet fluctuating emotions. They act impulsively, are unable to handle relationships, and have difficulty controlling their emotions. These conditions include:

• Antisocial personality disorder (manipulation, disregard for other people & social irresponsibility)
• Borderline personality disorder (emotional dysregulation, emptiness & unstable relationships)
• Histrionic personality disorder (overly emotional & attention seeking)
• Narcissistic personality disorder (manipulation, excessive self-importance & lack of empathy)

3. Cluster C personality disorders

Because sufferers tend to be scared or nervous in general, these diseases are classified as anxious/avoidant PDs. They are typically shy, have low self-esteem, avoid relationships owing to insecurities, are perfectionists, and may allow others to dominate them. Cluster C contains the conditions listed below –

• Avoidant personality disorder (rejection sensitivity, avoidance of relationships)
• Dependent personality disorder (neediness and submissiveness)
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (stubbornness, rigidity & perfectionism)

Do you have symptoms of a personality disorder?

A person suffering from a personality disorder may be oblivious to the fact that they are experiencing psychological or behavioural issues. They often seem bewildered, shaky, and irritated with others around them. They may likewise battle to draw individual lines for them and to comprehend individual limits set by others. They have either unusually high or low confidence, which enormously affects their direct and connections. People with PDs may be disconnected, overly emotional or dramatic, manipulative, abusive, or have an inappropriate parenting style. As a result, their relationships with their partners and children are frequently toxic. Furthermore, it might cause medical and psychological problems in the sufferer’s spouse and/or children.

The following primary symptoms are commonly used to identify personality disorders.

1. Issues with self-image

People with PDs may struggle with self-image issues and an inconsistent sense of self. If you have a personality disorder, you may find it difficult to decide if you are cruel or nice. You will have self-contradictory and unpredictable appearances, behaviours, ambitions, and values as your self-perception swings.

2. Impaired interpersonal functioning

Interpersonal functioning relates to our ability to empathize with others, have pleasant interactions with them, and deal with interpersonal problems. When you have PDs, you may struggle with social interactions, be unable to form or sustain strong relationships, lack empathy, and be insensitive to others.

Signs of personality disorders

This Is How A Personality Disorder Looks: Symptoms To Look Out For:

Because personality disorders encompass a wide range of illnesses, the best strategy to find early warning indicators is to examine the disorders individually rather than as a group of disorders. The symptoms of each illness are described in depth below. It is not required to relate to all of the symptoms of a given condition in order to be diagnosed. Furthermore, keep in mind that while we all have behavioural challenges and unhealthy ideas from time to time, people with personality disorders experience the symptoms in a destructive way on a regular basis.

Here are the symptoms of each specific personality disorder from the 3 different clusters (Cluster A, Cluster B & Cluster C) –

1. Paranoid personality disorder

The basic symptoms of this disease are paranoia, suspicion, and distrust. Some of the other most common symptoms of paranoid personality disorder are as follows:

• Intense paranoia
• Persistent suspicion and mistrust of others, including loved ones
• Irrational belief that people are trying to deceive, hurt or harm you
• Hesitance and reluctance to talk openly with others due to doubt & fear 
• Perceiving non-threatening gestures and remarks as personal attacks
• Holding grudges for a long time
• Believing or doubting that intimate partner or spouse is unfaithful
• Aggressive behaviors or hostile emotional reactions to perceived threats
• Inability or disinterest to consider others’ perspectives 
• Constantly distrusting others’ motives and intentions
• Shifting blame on others even in the presence of contradicting evidence
• Overthinking & jumping to conclusions

2. Schizoid personality disorder

If you have this illness, you may become detached, uninterested, and distant in your relationships. People with a schizoid personality disorder may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Preference for solitude and spending time alone
• Disinterest in personal or social relationships
• Inability to enjoy social or other daily activities
• Inability to understand general social cues
• Indifferent or cold towards other people
• Difficulty managing intimate relationships
• Lack of libido or interest in sexual activities
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Inability to express a wide range of emotions
• Prone to daydreaming
• Inability to accept criticism or compliments 
• Lack of motivation

3. Schizotypal personality disorder

This personality disorder is characterized by abnormal ideas, behaviours, and appearances. Schizotypal personality disorder can also be identified by the following symptoms:

• Superstitious or odd beliefs and delusional thoughts
• Peculiar behavior
• Unusual manner of dressing
• Incoherent speech
• Limited and inappropriate emotional responses
• Social anxiety or discomfort with intimate relationships
• Strange perceptual experiences, like hearing whispers
• Magical thinking or believing that you can influence the outcome of events simply by thinking
• Indifference or inappropriate reaction to other people
• Believing particular events carry secret messages targeted only at you
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Paranoia and suspicion

4. Antisocial personality disorder

This syndrome causes people to be reckless, impulsive, deceitful, aggressive, and violent. The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of antisocial personality disorder:

• Repeatedly disregarding or violating others’ rights, feelings or needs
• Inability to abide by social norms
• Lack of remorse for behaviors or actions
• Prone to criminality and illegal behaviors
• Violent or aggressive behavior
• Persistently irresponsible
• Prone to pathological lying, being deceitful & conning others
• Difficulty maintaining a stable career
• Constant issues with close personal relationship 
• Frequent problems with the law or authority
• Inability to learn from mistakes
• Shifting blame on others for their own mistakes

5. Borderline personality disorder

Poor self-image, mood swings, powerful emotions, extreme anxiety, impulsive behaviour, and disordered relationships are all symptoms of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD). Borderline personality disorder symptoms include the following:

• Instability in personal relationships
• Hypersensitivity to rejection 
• Strong emotions & unstable moods
• Distorted self-identity and poor self-image
• Impulsive behaviors, such as substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, overspending, gambling etc
• Persistent feelings of emptiness
• Intense and inappropriate display of anger
• Repeated self-harm and suicidal tendencies
• Severe anxiety and depression
• Loss of contact with reality
• Intense emotional reactions to stressors
• Trouble with self-regulation

6. Histrionic personality disorder

Individuals with this illness are continuously seeking attention and are too preoccupied with their appearance. They prefer to be the centre of attention and become anxious when they are ignored. Among the symptoms are the following:

• Excessive attention and emotion seeking
• Overly emotional, dramatic and childish
• Emotional or sexually provocative behavior to get noticed
• Shallow and manipulative 
• Constantly shifting mood and emotions
• Overly concerned with physical appearance
• Sensitive to criticism 
• Lacks concern for others
• Easily swayed or influenced by others
• Suicidal tendencies
• Considers relationships & friendships as more intimate than they truly are
• Expresses self in exaggerated, dramatic or theatrical ways

7. Narcissistic personality disorder

People with narcissistic tendencies lack empathy and are always seeking others’ admiration. They have a strong sense of entitlement, grandiosity, and self-importance. The following are some of the most common symptoms of this personality disorder:

• Inflated sense of self-importance
• Desperately seek admiration, praise and attention constantly
• Manipulative, self-centered and selfish
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of empathy and inability to acknowledge others’ needs or feelings
• Arrogance and belief of being special or entitled
• Exaggeration of talents or accomplishment to uplift reputation
• Envious of others or thinking that others envy them
• Unrealistic expectations from others 
• Abusive behavior, such as constant criticism, bullying, gaslighting etc.
• Grandiose thinking & fantasies about attractiveness, fame, achievements, wealth and power
• Exploiting others without remorse or guilt

8. Avoidant personality disorder

This is a sort of personality disorder in which you are terrified of being rejected, criticized, or ridiculed. People suffering from this mental disease are often quiet, self-conscious, and experience thoughts of inadequacy. The following are some of the signs of this disorder:

• Avoidance of social interactions or connections due to fear of rejection 
• Excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval
• Extreme shyness and social inhibition
• Difficulty making relationships or friendships 
• Inability to try new things due to fear of embarrassment before others
• Intense feelings of inadequacy and inferiority
• Low self esteem
• Prone to excessive self-criticism
• Lack of social abilities
• Constant worries about being judged or negatively criticized
• Seeks affection but afraid of rejection
• Frequently feel inept and isolated

9. Dependent personality disorder

People with this personality trait are prone to becoming overly reliant on others. They rely on others to look after them and make decisions for them. These people are usually clinging and submissive. The following are some of the most common symptoms of this condition:

• Extreme dependence on other people
• Clingy, needy and submissive behaviors
• Low self-confidence and poor self-esteem
• Fear of abandonment & separation
• Constantly seeks reassurance from others
• Inability care for self and needs to be taken care of
• Inability to disagree with others
• Tendency to avoid responsibilities
• Prone to tolerating abuse, bullying and mistreatment 
• Highly sensitive to criticism, disapproval and even positive feedback
• Pessimistic outlook on life
• Inability to make decisions for self or do things by self

10. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Obsessive-compulsive (anankastic) personality disorder is distinct from obsessive-compulsive disorder. This disorder is characterized by an obsession with control, orderliness, and perfection. This personality type has unrealistic expectations of themselves. Here are some warning indicators to look out for:

• Preoccupation with orderliness, control, schedules, rules and details
• Excessive perfectionism causing stress and dysfunction 
• Strong need to be in control
• Stubbornness, rigidity and anger
• Extremely strict about values, morality or ethics 
• Hoarding or inability to discard useless items
• Excessive control over finances and expenditures
• Extreme commitment to work leading to avoidance of loved ones or pleasurable activities 
• Refusal or unwillingness to accept help from other people
• Extreme attention to detail
• Formal and rigid mannerisms and behavior
• Inability to have a flexible mindset or attitude

Seek Help

If you recognize the generic symptoms of personality disorders or the indicators of a specific condition in yourself or a loved one, obtaining professional help is strongly advised. If you recognize a few or the majority of the symptoms listed above, seeing a doctor will help you get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Personality disorders, if left untreated, can have long-term negative consequences and impede your capacity to operate in daily life. However, with the right treatment, you may conquer your symptoms, enhance your mental health, strengthen your relationships, and live a healthier life.