Personality

Personality disorders are deeply ingrained maladaptive patterns of behaviour manifested by the time of adolescence or earlier, which continue throughout adult life. The personality is abnormal either in the balance of its components, their quality and expression or in its total aspect. Because of this, the individual suffers or others have to suffer and there is an adverse effect on the individual or society.

Types of Personality disorders

• Paranoid personality disorder: persons with paranoid personality disorder are characterized by long-standing suspiciousness and mistrust of persons in general. They refuse responsibility for their own feelings and assign responsibility to others. They are often hostile, irritable and angry.
• Schizoid personality disorder: a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression. A person with schizoid personality disorder typically does not seek close relationships, chooses solitary activities and appears indifferent to praise or criticism from others. These persons are often seen by others as eccentric, isolated or lonely
• Schizotypal personality disorder:  there is a pervasive pattern of acute discomfort in close relationships, distortions in thinking or perception, and eccentric behaviour. A person with a schizotypal personality disorder may have odd beliefs or magical thinking, odd or peculiar behaviour or speech, or may incorrectly attribute meanings to events.
• Antisocial personality disorder: this disorder is more common in men. A pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others. A person with an antisocial personality disorder may not conform to social norms, may repeatedly lie or deceive others, or may act impulsively.
• Borderline personality disorder: a pattern of instability in personal borderline personality disorder may go to great lengths to avoid abandonment (real or perceived), have recurrent suicidal behaviour, display inappropriate intense anger or have chronic feelings of emptiness.
• Histrionic personality disorder: a pattern of excessive emotion and attention seeking. A person with a histrionic personality disorder may be uncomfortable when he/she is not the centre of attention, consistently use physical appearance to draw attention or show rapidly shifting or exaggerated emotions.
• Narcissistic personality disorder: a pattern of need for admiration and lack of empathy for others. A person with a narcissistic personality disorder may have a grandiose sense of self-importance, a sense of entitlement, take advantage of others or lack empathy.
• Avoidant personality disorder: a pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and extreme sensitivity to criticism. A person with an avoidant personality disorder may be unwilling to get involved with people unless he/she is certain of being liked, be preoccupied with being criticized or rejected, or may view himself/herself as being inferior or socially inept.
• Dependent personality disorder: a pattern of needing to be taken care of and submissive and clingy behaviour. A person with a dependent personality disorder may have difficulty making daily decisions without reassurance from others or may feel uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of fear of inability to take care of himself or herself.
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism and control. A person with an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may be preoccupied with details or schedules, may work excessively to the exclusion of leisure or friendships, or maybe inflexible in morality and values.

Treatment

Psychotherapy and behaviour therapy are the main modes of treatment. Drugs are given only to treat short-acting mental illnesses which occur in between.