There are many types of personality disorders and each one has differentsymptoms and characteristics. Some characteristics are shared by differentdisorders. People who rebel against their culture or society or who haveoutbursts and rages or have trouble with social skills, how they see themselves,how they cope with being around other people, and how they control theirimpulses are characteristics all shared by those who suffer from personalitydisorders. Many people who suffer from one disorder usually suffer more than oneat a time but does not believe that they have a problem. It is said that,?Symptoms stem from basic personality traits that develop over a period oftime.
¦(Mental Health) There are a few basic treatments for people withpersonality disorders that work for some, but not for others. Psychodynamicpsychotherapy, or psychoanalytical therapy, focuses on past events and longrepressed feelings. Psychodynamic models integrate the past with thepatient-s current life. Behavior therapy is used to teach different kindsof social skills.
Cognitive therapy concentrates on changing of negativethinking. Cognitive-behavioral therapy combines cognitive and behavioral therapytechniques. Personality disorders affect ten to fifteen percent of thepopulation. Some affect certain populations more than others. Studies havesuggested that biology plays a part in these disorders. Personality disorderscan be inherited from generation to generation and are a primary result of theperson-s experience during childhood and adolescence.
BorderlinePersonality Disorder is the most common personality disorder and affectsapproximately 2% of the population (Mental Health). Those that suffer from thisdisorder may experience brief periods in which they separate from reality andoften are diagnosed with depression and psychotic disorders. They are unstablein personal relationships and have an unstable self-image and emotions and havelittle control over impulses. They can be self-destructive, but are rarelyviolent to other people or animals. Antisocial Personality Disorder is presentin 3% men and 1% women and between 70-80% of the prison population (MentalHealth). By definition, antisocial personality disorder, or ASP, is a lifelongpersonality disorder that affects many more men than women and begins before age15 (Black).
It has been studied more than any other personality disorder and canbe characterized by a pattern of disregarding and violating others- rightsand safety. Sufferers can be defiant, irresponsible, deceitful, irritable andaggressive. They may experiment with drugs, alcohol, and sex at a very youngage. As a spouse they may be abusive, unfaithful, dishonest and manipulative.
Histrionic Personality Disorder is present in 2-3% of the population and morecommon in women (Mental Health). Sufferers can be characterized by a pattern ofseeking attention in strange and unusual ways. They are excessively emotional,overly trusting and gullible, self-absorbed and are concerned with presentation. People with this disorder can function with relatively few problems in society. To be psychosocial implies that personality disorders are a result ofexperiences the person has had, particularly during childhood or adolescence. Physical, emotional and especially sexual abuse has all been implicated as acause of personality disorders.
Not all abused children develop a disorder andnot all people with a disorder have been abused. It just means that abuse leavesa person vulnerable to developing a personality disorder.
