Signs and Symptoms for Personality Disorder

The signs and symptoms of personality disorders are different in different types. They are given in the form of the following clusters. It is also not necessary that the person exhibits the signs and symptoms of only one disorder but they can mention the symptoms of two at a time also.

Cluster A

The person with this disorder is having odd and abnormal behaviors. paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder falls under this category.

Paranoid personality disorder

• They are suspicions of others
• They have a belief that others may harm them
• They do not find others trustworthy.
• They do not disclose their things to others because they think that the other person may use their information.
• They perceive the non threatening remarks as insults.
• They get angry on insults.
• They hold grudges.
• They think that their partners will deceive them.

Schizoid personality disorder

• There is a lack of social relationships
• They don’t show emotional expression.
• They cannot take pleasure in most activities.
• They cannot pick normal social cues.
• They appear to be cold to others.
• They don’t have interest in sex with the other person.

Schizotypal personality disorder

• They have strange dressing, thinking, beliefs, speech or behaviors.
• They feel that someone is whispering their names of emotional expressions.
• They fa social anxiety.
• They are suspicion of others
• They believe that they influence other people with their thoughts.

Cluster B

The person who falls under this category may be dramatic in nature. they may be overly emotional also. Antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder falls under this category.

Antisocial personality disorder

• They Disregard others' feelings.
• They are lying, stealing etc.
• They have problem with the law.
• They repeat violation of rights.
• They are aggressive or have violent behavior.
• They disregard the safety of others.
• They have impulsivity in their behavior.
• They are irresponsible.

Borderline personality disorder

• They are involved in impulsive behavior.
• They have unstable self image.
• Their relationships are unstable.
• Mood swings due to personal relationships.
• They are suicidal in nature.
• They have a fear that they are alone.
• They have a feeling of emptiness.
• There is frequent display of anger.
• There is a stress related paranoia in them.

Histrionic personality disorder

• They seek attention.
• They are having Excessive emotions; they are dramatic to gain attention.
• They are easily influenced by others.
• Their emotions change rapidly.
• They are excessively concerned about their appearance.

Narcissistic personality disorder

• They think that they are more special than others.
• They have fantasies that they are having power, success and attractiveness.
• They fail to recognize the needs and feelings of other people.
• They exaggerate their achievements or talents in front of other people.
• They expect constant praise from others.
• They are arrogant.
• They think to find advantage from others.
• They are either jealous of other or think that other people are jealous of them.

Cluster C

Avoidant personality

• They avoid social contacts.
• They are too sensitive to criticism or rejection
• They feel  inadequate, inferior or unattractive
• They are shy in social situations
• They have fear of rejection, embarrassment and ridicule
• They avoid work that require interpersonal contact, remain isolated

Dependent personality

• They are clingy in behavior
• They have difficulty in starting something new on their own
• They depend too much on others, they fear when left alone, its difficult for them to self care
• They find it difficult to leave abusive relationship, if ends immediately look for another relationship

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

• They show perfectionism, if things are not perfect as per them they feel distressed
• They may hoard things or object as they are unable to discard them
• They may be rigid or stubborn and committed to their work excessively
• They are pre occupied with thoughts related to clininess, rules and orderliness