The DSM-IV recognizes ten types of personality disorders, classified into three categories: Clusters A, B, and C. Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders. Cluster B includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic disorders. Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Personality disorders are psychological disorders involving maladaptive personality traits and/or behavior patterns that cause impairments in an individual’s daily life. The DSM-IV®, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition® characterizes personality disorders. This handbook recognizes ten types of personality disorders and classifies them into three categories: Clusters A, B, and C.
Cluster A is characterized by odd or erratic behavior and includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders. People with paranoid personality disorders are wary of others, including family members, friends, or strangers, and may even be suspicious of these individuals. They often expect to be taken advantage of or abused and believe that someone might harm them. Frequently, those with this disorder display hostile behavior and are thought to have severe anger shift.
People with schizoid personality disorder show disinterest and detachment from social relationships and lack strong emotional expression. Someone who is considered schizoid is avoidant and seeks out solitary activities. Schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders share similar traits due to the individual’s preference for social isolation. Those with schizotypal disorder demonstrate eccentric behaviors, such as a clouded sense of reality, inaccurate sensory perceptions called delusions, or unclear speech patterns.
Personality disorders in which dramatic or erratic behavior occurs are listed in Cluster B. This group includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic disorders. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by the sufferer’s total contempt and disrespect for the rights and well-being of other individuals. Antisocial individuals can be physically aggressive, irritable, or impulsive.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) causes unpredictable behavior, impulsive moods, and unstable relationships. To receive a diagnosis of BPD, one must experience a dramatic change in attitude and emotions. Impulsive behavior and erratic mood swings can lead to chronic depression, substance abuse, abandonment fears, and suicidal thoughts.
Individuals diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder (HPD) are attention-seeking and emotionally shallow with abnormal obsessions about their physical appearance. They are usually self-centered and uncomfortable if they are not the center of attention. Similar to HPD, narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by self-centered and attention-seeking behaviors. These individuals have great ideas about themselves and are obsessed with success in everything. They often have strong feelings of envy and lack empathy for others.
Cluster C contains anxious and fearful personality disorders: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive. Those with avoidant and dependent disorders exhibit submissive behaviors, feelings of inadequacy, and social inhibition. Individuals with both diagnoses are highly sensitive to criticism and rejection, lack self-confidence, and are usually very dependent and passive. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD) produces individuals who are perfectionistic, detail-oriented, and concerned with order and structure. Often inflexible and rigid, those with OCD may be unable to complete tasks due to their obsessive attention to detail.
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