Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality disorder can make most activities and interactions extremely difficult. While receiving treatment is already a challenge, it takes more courage to continue challenging yourself in your daily life. This includes pushing yourself to attend social gatherings, make conversation, and more. If you've been struggling with avoidant personality disorder, there are various ways to find motivation and challenge yourself.

The media often portrays various mental health diagnoses in a negative light, which perpetuates harmful stereotypes. One of the disorders that people are often confused by is dissociative identity disorder. Let's talk more about this disorder and dispel some of the myths that many people believe about it.

Personality disorders can be complicated, both for those experiencing them and the people around them. Several disorders fall within this category, and they can all manifest in different ways. It's important to learn about the symptoms of personality disorders so that you can watch out for them and provide support if someone in your life is struggling.

Personality disorders are a subset of mental health disorders that revolve around unexpected or illogical thought and behavioral patterns. They can alter the way that one handles personal and social situations. Personality disorders fundamentally change the way that an individual addresses and perceives the world around them, develops relationships, and/or copes with daily stresses.    One of the most difficult kinds of these disorders is narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD. It has an incredibly detrimental effect on one’s relationships and mental health state. Identifying traits of narcissistic personality disorder and taking the first deliberate steps toward addressing the condition is crucial to begin the journey of repairing relationships and creating a healthier, more secure worldview.

Have you ever noticed that you’re very particular about certain things, or that you like to be in control? Do things have to be a “certain way” for you to feel at ease? If so, you may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Millions of Americans struggle with OCD every year – and if it’s not treated early on, other problems could arise. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that involves an unhealthy cycle of obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repeated actions). For example, a person with OCD could find themselves needing to knock on the door a certain number of times before they wait for a person to answer it. They may also like things organized in a certain way and feel extreme anxiety if they’re not able to organize the way they need to.

A personality disorder is a form of mental illness that can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life; it can make relationships, careers, and daily life challenging if not treated appropriately. Many people who suffer from a personality disorder may show symptoms but may not recognize that they’re experiencing a disorder. By understanding the different characteristics that can take place, you can better assess if you or a love done needs help:

Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. Used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, nearly 44 million prescriptions of Xanax are written each year; this drug is used to suppress neurotransmitters in the body that release fear – and by eliminating some of the physiological symptoms that people tend to experience (such as sweaty palms, racing thoughts, hyperventilation and more), a person is likely to be more relaxed. Despite the benefits of using Xanax, it’s still incredibly addictive. By understanding more of the underlying mechanisms of this drug, we can hopefully begin taking additional precautionary measures so that we don’t become addicted – or, at the very least, so that we can seek help immediately if warning signs arise. Dr. Elizabeth Hartney, a psychologist, professor and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University in Canada, explained to Very Well Mind earlier this year that Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which means that when taken as prescribed, this medication can assist with anxiety and sleep – and many people do find relief from it. Over time, however, it can become easy to abuse the medication and take it in higher doses or for a longer period of time – and this potential for abuse is what can lead to severe addiction. Last year, The Guardian published the story of a young man in the UK who fell into selling drugs, but unintentionally became addicted to Xanax. He explained, “I gradually withdrew from the drugs and felt ill for a few weeks. I felt depressed and physically sick. I managed to get through it and most people I know have managed to. But it is very easy to relapse and that’s happened a few times.” The chemicals in Xanax boost a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA), which is what brings about those euphoric sensations. If not taken carefully, however, the risks for addiction are high.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder that involves unstable moods, self-perceptions, and behavior. Typical symptoms of BPD involve efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, instability regarding relationships, distorted sense of self, impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, self-harm, suicidal ideation, persistent feelings of emptiness, inappropriate and often intense anger, difficulty trusting people, and feelings of dissociation. When untreated, BPD can cause a lot of disruption to a person’s daily life, affecting their school, work, family, and interpersonal relationships. If you are seeking treatment for BPD, there are several effective therapies that can be used, including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy that has been shown to help those with BPD develop the skills they need to effectively manage their emotions and perceptions. DBT helps clients identify “all or nothing” thoughts that may be holding them back and making life more difficult as well as helping clients identify their own strengths so that they can build on them. Lastly, DBT involves collaboration, as it often involves working with a therapist and completing take-home assignments, role play, and practicing healthy coping skills for when a person is upset. A 2017 study conducted by researchers from Nova Southeastern University sought to explore the perspectives and experiences of individuals with BPD in recovery who underwent DBT. Six individuals were interviewed, and several themes emerged:

Author Alexandra Katehakis wrote in her book titled, “Mirror of Intimacy: Daily Reflections on Emotional and Erotic Intelligence” explained dissociation as this: “The problem with checking out so thoroughly is that it can leave us feeling dead inside…the process of repair demands a re-association with the body, a commitment to dive into the body and feel today what we couldn’t feel yesterday because it was too dangerous.” Dissociation, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), is defined as “problems with memory, identity, emotion, perception, behavior, and sense of self.” Often when people experience dissociation, they experience a period of disconnect from themselves and/or the world around them. In a sense, they “check out” – it may seem like they’re daydreaming, lost in a book or movie, and more. Dissociation often kicks in to help a person get through a very traumatic event, such as being the victim of a crime or enduring a natural disaster. A review study conducted by researchers from Germany described the experience of trauma and dissociation as “Freeze-Flight-Fight-Fright-Flag-Faint”, referring to the 6-step process of fragments in which a person responds to an upsetting event until they get to dissociation.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is often characterized by a sense of grandiosity, lack of empathy, and a need for admiration. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 16 Americans has NPD at some point in their lives, leading many people to believe that their opinions and interests should taken precedence over others’. Those with NPD may have a tough time forming close relationships because of their exaggerated sense of self-importance. As noted in a review of NPD published by EBSCO Information Services, there are two subtypes of NPD: overt and covert. Those with overt NPD display entitlement, denial of weakness and exploitive behavior, whereas those with covert NPD display hypersensitivity to insult, feelings of shame, helplessness or inadequacy, and social withdrawal. There is no known cure for NPD, but it is possible for those with the disorder to seek treatment and develop tools to better relate to others in a more positive way. Treatment may include medication, but should first and foremost involve psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy”. It may take quite some time for those with NPD to find breakthrough in therapy because it is focused more on their personality traits, but those who are willing to learn more about their disorder and how they come to view themselves and the world, as well as how these perceptions dominate their behaviors are likely to see improvement. The following are likely going to be some key focal points of therapy:

On the surface, these two terms sound similar – mood and personality – in the world of psychology and mental disorders, they must be related, right? Somewhat, yes. While there are some overlapping symptoms associated with each, there are some key differences that are important to recognize if optimal treatment is to be received. If you haven’t been diagnosed but you think you may have a mood or personality disorder, learning some key differences may help you explain your experiences to your doctor. Mood disorders are based on the relationship a person has with their emotions. While all of us experience ups and downs when it comes to mood, a person with a mood disorder may experience these ups and down in much more severity and for longer or shorter durations. For example, one common mood disorder is bipolar disorder (BPD), which is often characterized as having manic and/or depressive episodes. Mania consists of feelings of elatedness – feeling “on top of the world” and a person with BPD may make large financial decisions or engage in risky behaviors while feeling this way. Depression, on the other hand, involves feelings of utter sadness and hopelessness, causing people who have this to no longer enjoy activities they once loved. Personality disorders are characterized as major differences between an individual person and other people regarding how they deal with emotion, how they interact with others, how they think about problems and how they interpret situations. There are 3 main subcategories of personality disorders: Type A, Type B, and Type C: Type A: The individual relates to others in a way that is considered odd. For example, paranoid personality disorder is based on a person’s mistrust and suspicions of others. Type B: Has difficulty regulating moods, often switching rapidly between high and low moods. For example, borderline personality disorder often involves unstable moods and at times, self-harm. Type C: Feelings of fear and anxiety dominant this person’s perception. For example, a person with avoidant personality disorder may avoid any situation that may cause them anxiety of rejection. It’s understandable how one could have confused mood with personality disorders. However, these differences place focus on whether a person should be diagnosed simply on the way they relate to their emotions, or whether they exhibit this relation in social aspects as well. If you have been struggling with a mental disorder, make the decision to seek out help at a reputable treatment center today.

Approximately 51 million people worldwide have schizophrenia, a type of mental disorder involving a breakdown between thoughts, emotions, and behavior. With this disorder, individuals may have a faulty perception, may exhibit inappropriate actions and feelings, and more. The American Psychiatric Association notes that many people with schizophrenia experience delusions, hallucination, difficulty with thinking and concentrating, and lack of motivation. Recent research is leading to new medication that could help even further reduce symptoms that individuals with schizophrenia experience. Paul M. Grant, a research professor of psychology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania explained for the U.S. News that many people with schizophrenia don’t get a high quality of life. He stated, “For some people, they go through that cycle and they just don’t ever get the life that they wanted – they live solitarily, they keep to themselves”. Many others wind up homeless or abuse drugs and alcohol because of not only their symptoms but also due to stigma. If you have schizophrenia, you may have experienced some of these challenges. According to Science Daily, newest research is showing promise for a medication that may be able to directly target antipsychotic drug effects such as weight gain, anxiety, dizziness, severe digestive problems, agitation, and more. For scientists, they are particularly focused on the D2 receptor in the brain to see how certain medications bind to it. Before now, scientists were unable to find a way to isolate the D2 receptor – many medications also bind to many different dopamine, serotonin, and histamine receptors, causing serious side effects. If researchers can find a medication that doesn’t spark unwanted side effects, individuals with schizophrenia may be able to enjoy a higher quality of living while on medication. Hopefully soon, we will have something to help further alleviate distressing symptoms that many are experiencing. If you have schizophrenia, understand that you are not alone. Treatment is becoming more advanced and is opening more avenues – a future that we can become excited for. Seek the help you need today.