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Personality Disorders

Personality is the way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that makes a person different from other people. An individual’s personality is influenced by experiences, environment (surroundings, life situations), and inherited characteristics. A person’s personality typically stays the same over time. A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time.1

There are 10 specific types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are long-term patterns of behavior and inner experiences that differ significantly from what is expected. The pattern of experience and behavior begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and causes distress or problems in functioning. Without treatment, personality disorders can be long-lasting. Personality disorders affect at least two of these areas:

  • Way of thinking about oneself and others
  • Way of responding emotionally
  • Way of relating to other people
  • Way of controlling one’s behavior

Types of Personality Disorders

  • Antisocial personality disorder: 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.
  • Avoidant personality disorder: a pattern of extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and extreme sensitivity to criticism. People with an avoidant personality disorder may be unwilling to get involved with people unless they are certain of being liked, be preoccupied with being criticized or rejected, or may view themselves as not being good enough or socially inept.
  • Borderline personality disorder: a pattern of instability in personal relationships, intense emotions, poor self-image, and impulsivity. A person with a borderline personality disorder may go to great lengths to avoid being abandoned, have repeated suicide attempts, display inappropriate intense anger, or have ongoing feelings of emptiness.
  • Dependent personality disorder: a pattern of needing to be taken care of and submissive and clingy behavior. People 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 themselves.
  • Histrionic personality disorder: a pattern of excessive emotion and attention-seeking. People with a histrionic personality disorder may be uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention, may use physical appearance to draw attention to themselves, or have rapidly shifted 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.
  • Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfection, and control. A person with an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may be overly focused on details or schedules, may work excessively and not allow time for leisure or friends, or may be inflexible in their morality and values. (This is NOT the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder.)
  • Paranoid personality disorder: a pattern of being suspicious of others and seeing them as mean or spiteful. People with a paranoid personality disorder often assume people will harm or deceive them and don’t confide in others or become close to them.
  • Schizoid personality disorder: being detached from social relationships and expressing little emotion. A person with schizoid personality disorder typically does not seek close relationships, chooses to be alone, and seems to not care about praise or criticism from others.
  • Schizotypal personality disorder: a pattern of being very uncomfortable in close relationships, having distorted thinking, and eccentric behavior. A person with a schizotypal personality disorder may have odd beliefs or odd or peculiar behavior or speech or may have excessive social anxiety.

Diagnosis of a personality disorder requires a mental health professional to look at long-term patterns of functioning and symptoms. Diagnosis is typically made in individuals 18 or older. People under 18 are typically not diagnosed with personality disorders because their personalities are still developing. Some people with personality disorders may not recognize a problem. Also, people may have more than one personality disorder. An estimated 9 percent of U.S. adults have at least one personality disorder.2

Treatment

Certain types of psychotherapy are effective for treating personality disorders. During psychotherapy, an individual can gain insight and knowledge about the disorder and what is contributing to symptoms and can talk about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Psychotherapy can help a person understand the effects of their behavior on others and learn to manage or cope with symptoms and to reduce behaviors causing problems with functioning and relationships. The type of treatment will depend on the specific personality disorder, how severe it is, and the individual’s circumstances.

Commonly used types of psychotherapy include:

  • Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Psychoeducation (teaching the individual and family members about the illness, treatment, and ways of coping)

There are no medications specifically to treat personality disorders. However, medication, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or mood-stabilizing medication, may be helpful in treating some symptoms. More severe or long-lasting symptoms may require a team approach involving a primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, and family members.

In addition to actively participating in a treatment plan, some self-care and coping strategies can be helpful for people with personality disorders.

  • Learn about the condition. Knowledge and understanding can help empower and motivate.
  • Get active. Physical activity and exercise can help manage many symptoms, such as depression, stress, and anxiety.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol. Alcohol and illegal drugs can worsen symptoms or interact with medications.
  • Get routine medical care. Don’t neglect checkups or regular care from your family doctor.
  • Join a support group of others with personality disorders.
  • Write in a journal to express your emotions.
  • Try relaxation and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation.
  • Stay connected with family and friends; avoid becoming isolated.

Family members can be important in an individual’s recovery and can work with the individual’s health care provider on the most effective ways to help and support. But having a family member with a personality disorder can also be distressing and stressful. Family members may benefit from talking with a mental health provider who can provide help coping with difficulties.

Testimonials

I realized I had bipolar disorder when my son was about 6 months old. I was feeling very good at one time, able to accomplish so much. I slept little and still had so much energy. My mind was constantly going. I would get upset easily at my husband for small things and be a different me infact unusual me. I finally was reading an article about bipolar and what the symptoms were. I recognized that this was me. I went to my friend and she suggested me to prefer Shanti Home. Then Shanti Home gave me with the right guidance and medication to help me be balanced.

Keerthi

I am Garima Bajaj daughter of Mrs. Santosh Kapoor My mom is the best mother a person can ever dream of. She is a kind soft-spoken, humble and loving lady. My mother had 2 daughters me and my younger sister Meenu Kapoor, who is in the USA. As a child my whole world revolved around her, she was there for me every time I needed her. She taught us to be good human beings, and never to give hope before trying. Whatever I am today, I am because of her. It is difficult for me to find words to express what she is to me. She ran a primary wing school, that school was doing quite well, looked after us, her husband and she did all her tasks with perfection. My father died when she was 56 years, and that was a major setback in her life. From the outside she looked strong as she had to take care of her younger daughter, she had to marry her, but inside she took a lot of tension, which I think affected her memory loss problem. After my sister got married, she was left all alone, that thought that all have gone leaving me alone was a major cause of her Dementia problem. I sold her house in Amritsar and bought her a flat in Gurgaon near my house so that she does not feel lonely, she never complained but she missed Amritsar, which also triggered her memory loss problem. She was not able to take care of her house, so I brought her to live at my place. Initially, I was not aware of the disease and the problems related to them, as the disease progressed problems related to the disease came up, and her behavior changed, she became hyper, was restless the whole day, and repeated the same thing again and again. Then I came to know about Shanti Home. It was a place for dementia patients. I talked to the doctors they were all very helpful to me. They suggested I keep her there for some period as these patients need a lot of care and monitoring which is not possible at home, so I kept her there, she was given good care at Shanti Home, her behavior also improved, there the patients are made to do a lot of activities which keep their mind involved which is very helpful for them, they have a specific area for these brain activities, this is a boom for these patients, I especially thank all the doctors at Shanti Home for their help and support, it has been a great help to me, I think Govt must also take some steps to help fight against this deadly disease. Regards Garima Bajaj

Mrs. Santosh Kapoor (Garima Bajaj)

I have been their patient for one year. They are always thorough and great listeners.

Fatima Sheikh

Easy to talk to and thorough, making for a really good experience overall.

Sanket K

The doctor was very thorough and spent time listening to me as well as conducting a complete exam. She clearly cares about her patients. I am very confident in her

Swati Verma
Swati Verma

In November 2014, I had the privilege to visit Shanti Home Psychiatric Care and Rehabilitation Center. I was very keen on this visit and it was a very pleasant experience for me. The Rehab home is very well equipped with trained staff, a fully functional kitchen serving nutritious meals (planned by nutritionist) to residents, surrounded by a well-maintained garden. The center has lots of activities and the daily schedule is carefully planned to provide stimulation to enhance cognition, expedite healing, teaching vocational skills so that after discharge from home the person is able to fulfill a useful role in society. Activities also included personality and linguistic skills development along with yoga, aerobics, etc. skillful use of music therapy; physiotherapy, etc. has also been incorporated. I was very happy to see the availability of doctors round the clock which ensured proper medical care. Skilled psychologists, psychotherapists, and Occupational Therapists are providing their best under the guidance of learned and eminent psychiatrists from Delhi. But the thing which made the biggest impact on my mind and heart was the human touch at the center which could be seen in the overall attitude of the staff and the environment of the rehab home. I was pleasantly surprised that even the supporting staff was attending to residents with respect and was trying their best to put a smile on residents’ faces. And then I realized why it can truly be called a (rehab) HOME. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit this home and spending a few hours with its loving family

Dr Rashmi Moghe Hirave

Our son was suffering from Schizophrenia, and depression and was a chain smoker. We had been to many psychiatrists, psychologists, and healers over the last six years. Finally, we admitted him in Shanti Home, Greater Noida. His recovery has been phenomenal in just three months and our son seems a ‘totally new person to us. We owe deep gratitude to the team under Dr. Rupali for providing us hope when all around us was gloomy. We have cherished our relationship with Shanti Home and with each of the doctors, psychologists, and all. While we will still be coming back regularly for counseling, the bond of trust will be everlasting. Thanks again to the entire team and with best wishes.

Sanjay
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