Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Mike Robinson

There are several different types of personality disorders and mental illnesses; some are severe and persistent, while others are recurrent but moderate. Variations in consistency and severity differentiate the many types of mental disorders. The term “mental illness” refers to personality disorders. They have an effect on the person’s actions but also impact other areas of their life. Although most mental illnesses have multiple symptoms, they have different traits and severities.

Mental Illness and Personality Disorders

A group of mental illnesses known as personality disorders can be identified by patterns in people’s behavior.

A person with a personality disorder feels, thinks, perceives, and behaves differently from how most people would ordinarily behave in their society. Usually, this distinct behavior is noticeable due to its extremeness or absence of extremes. Although it won’t be simple, a person with this disability can work and develop relationships.

What is a personality disorder, and what causes it?

When someone has a personality disorder, their thoughts, behaviors, and overall personality are all affected. Their antisocial or self-destructive behavior follows a pattern. However, it is not until later in life that the signs and symptoms become apparent. In the workplace, where social interaction and various other forces, such as change, pressure, and criticism, are at play, signs are frequently visible.

Personality disorders’ telltale indications and symptoms are much more apparent in this setting. Most individuals in the society that they interact with find these characteristics unacceptable.

People develop these disorders when they are still adolescents when experiences are most formative and lasting. The majority of mental illnesses onset during this phase. Personality disorders start to emerge in adulthood after developing during childhood.

Because of their nature, most institutions and psychiatric organizations disagree on how to classify personality disorders.

People with personality disorders may live with the problem for the rest of their life, and research suggests that untreated or improperly treated cases slowly deteriorate the condition.

Along with suicidal thoughts and drug usage, people with personality disorders are more likely to develop other mental illnesses.

The Four Clusters of Personality Disorders

There are four clusters of personality disorders, with three to four conditions in each cluster. There are further subtypes of similar illnesses with distinctive behavioral patterns; however, this article will not address them.

A person with a personality disorder in cluster A will have trouble relating to others. The typical descriptors for individuals with personality disorders in this cluster are “weird,” “strange,” or “eccentric.” Others describe them as individuals who appear to be isolated.

Personality Disorder Cluster A: Paranoid-Schizoid-Schizotypal

When someone has paranoia, they are continuously suspicious of their surroundings. People who are paranoid tend to distrust others, and some will go to great lengths to protect their safety by making preparations like hoarding food or weapons inside the house.

People with this illness frequently have fears that something horrible is about to happen; some fears are real, while others are unfounded. One of the most extreme actions taken by paranoid individuals is a thorough study of their surroundings to prove their concerns or suspicions.

They constantly check for signs of danger and search for potential escape routes in case these hazards materialize. Additionally, paranoid people often have explosive tempers; this protective mechanism kicks in when the person is uneasy.

Each individual’s paranoia has a unique set of causes. Most instances begin with negative emotions, often stemming from poor parental role models, resulting in peer rejection and social uneasiness. Additionally, this illness has hereditary components. Paranoia can sometimes occur in people with schizophrenia and vice versa.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizoid personality disorder is frequently mistaken for schizophrenia but is more subtle and short-lived. This personality disorder causes a person to be socially and emotionally aloof. These individuals are reclusive and private.

They are also apathetic, even when it comes to friendships and love relationships. Ironically, these people are weak and indifferent. Because they are wary of emotional intimacy, they favor empathy. This condition is uncommon, and some psychologists contend that a location’s cultural norms can affect how it is diagnosed.

This behavior is acceptable in some cultures. It is not necessarily usual, but not far off from being deemed “sane.”
The leading causes of schizoid personality disorders are neglect as a youngster and overly ideal parenting. Other factors suggest genetic inheritance.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by the need for social seclusion, much like the schizoid. They might start engaging in bizarre habits that other people find abnormal, such as dressing strangely or talking to themselves.

Schizotypal individuals have a greater capacity for social interaction than schizoid individuals, but they do so in an abnormal manner, making it challenging for them to establish connections.

These people frequently hold fascinating beliefs, such as those related to the paranormal.
Schizotypal characteristics typically start to emerge in early childhood. The main reasons include negative events such as early parent-child separation, trauma, and carelessness. Another factor is genetic inheritance.

Personality Disorder Cluster B: Antisocial-Borderline-Histrionic-Narcissistic

Personality disorders in Cluster B include illnesses that lead to dramatic and erratic behavior. Emotional control is challenging for those with Cluster B illnesses. They frequently experience sharp mood swings, are extremely dramatic, are impulsive, and are usually unpredictable. Their instability is apparent in both their emotions and the connections they build.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Dissociative or antisocial personality disorder is another name for this mental disorder. Most people consider antisocial people to be deliberately immature and disturbing.

They have little concern for other people’s rights or private spaces. Criminal histories are common among those with antisocial personality disorder.

They try to move in opposite directions of what most consider to be normal. They also have a propensity for aggression and substance abuse.

A person can be antisocial for a variety of reasons. Social influences and the environment, in general, significantly impact the development of this behavior.  According to psychiatrists, hormonal imbalance is another factor.

Borderline Personality Disorder

One of the most well-known personality disorders is borderline personality disorder. Individuals with this disorder show unstable or intense character traits and have a history of impulsivity and unpredictable outbursts.
People with borderline personality disorder are more acutely aware of their emotions than ordinary people.

Whatever the circumstance, they experience stronger, quicker, and more prolonged feelings than normal people. They are also easily offended, rejected, neglected, and abandoned.

Borderline personalities are associated with unstable relationships. They put their partners in unanticipated scenarios while showing them tremendous pleasure or extreme disappointment.

This personality condition is marked by severe mood swings when not appropriately addressed.

In times of intense emotion, borderline people may turn to self-mutilation and are typically sad. They are susceptible to suicidal thoughts because they cannot cope with rejection and are readily swayed by negative emotions.

In contrast, some people may react to rejection differently and turn manipulative to retake control of a situation or a loved one.

When they feel lonely or think their partners aren’t showing any attention, love, or care for them, they become incredibly devoted to them.
They view self-harm as a way to combat feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Borderline people frequently “zone out” and withdraw into their thoughts in an unconscious effort to stop strong feelings.

There is no 100% consensus on the primary causes of borderline personality disorder. However, due to more advanced research that has taken place, patients with this disorder can look forward to better treatment options.

Each patient has unique circumstances; some have a history of childhood trauma or are dealing with post-traumatic disorder. Others demonstrate strong social and environmental impacts.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionics are often lacking in self-worth. They dramatize primarily to gain attention and frequently appear to be acting. People with this illness strive for other people’s acceptance or admiration, and they often display inappropriate behavior to get it.

Histrionics might be incredibly endearing, alluring, or flirting since they are attention seekers. These individuals use manipulative conduct to get the pleasure and excitement they seek and frequently find themselves in precarious positions because they desire stimulation and excitement.

They repeat this exploitation since histrionics also tend to be promiscuous.
Ironically, while having little sense of self-worth, histrionic people are conscious of their appearance. Involved as well are egocentrism and self-indulgence. To keep their ego alive, they feel the need for approval.

Relationships with histrionics are extremely unstable and transient, and the affected individual overestimates their level of intimacy. The expression “Praise me” is used to characterize a histrionic person and relates to their attention-seeking and selfish nature.

There isn’t enough information to date to determine the origins of the histrionic personality disorder. According to certain studies, vanity and excess can both result in hysterical behavior.

Some people believe that abnormal lustfulness is an important contributing factor to histrionic personality disorder. According to Freud’s psychoanalysis, the conditional love or emotional shallowness of the parents or guardians causes this lustfulness.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Overconfidence in oneself is a symptom of narcissistic personality disorder. The name of the condition comes from the Greek tale of Narcissus, who died as a result of his love for his own beauty after seeing himself in water (he never left nor stopped looking at his reflection).

People with narcissism believe that others are envious of them but are equally envious of those they perceive to be superior to or possess more. Narcissists are usually egotistical, self-absorbed, and manipulative. When they feel wronged, they could want to exact revenge.

With a narcissist, maintaining a relationship is essentially impossible. They could become upset or act out when they are made fun of. Narcissists believe that they are the only ones who can be right. People with narcissistic personality disorder may habitually keep track of who is right and wrong and are manipulative in romantic relationships.

These people frequently have unreasonable and unrealistic expectations from others, including praise, admiration, and attention. Additionally, they are egotistical, full of themselves, and unconcerned with others.

When a person is young, receiving excessive praise and adoration from parents and other family members contributes to this personality condition. Overvalued and indulged youngsters are more likely to develop a narcissistic personality disorder.

Having manipulative parents and experiencing emotional abuse as a child are additional risk factors.

Personality Disorder Cluster C: Avoidant-Dependent-Obsessive-Compulsive

Fearful and anxious personalities are traits of the illnesses that make up Cluster C, the third cluster of personality disorders. Withdrawal from society and avoidance because of heightened worries and anxiety are the main behavioral issues connected with this condition.

The person with this illness frequently struggles with chronic anxiety and fear. People with personality disorders in this cluster tend to be more reclusive or quiet, and they may find it difficult to sustain strong friendships because of insecurities or anxieties.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Another name for avoidant personality disorder is anxious personality disorder. People who have this condition shy away from social situations and have trouble taking criticism. Instead of broad anxiety, like paranoia, avoidant personality disorder is defined by social anxiety.

This disorder causes low self-esteem and social awkwardness in the sufferer. The anxiety of humiliation or being disliked by others is the cause of withdrawal from social situations.

Despite not trying to socialize, there is a widespread sense of being unwelcome. Some people struggle with trust and are also incredibly bashful. Others experience self-hatred and self-criticism as a result of ongoing reflection.
Both early adolescence and childhood are when this problem first appears. Frequent peer rejection and public humiliation will bring on this disorder.

Dependent Personality Disorder

As the name implies, people with dependent personality disorder tend to be subservient and depend on others for everyday tasks. People who suffer from this disorder believe that others are stronger, smarter, and better equipped to handle various situations than they are. The affected person prefers to let others take the lead, regardless of their abilities or skills, especially in romantic situations.
The problem with this illness is that the individual who has it doesn’t believe they can survive on their own. This individual believes that being alone and having no one to “care” for them and satisfy their occasionally excessive expectations is impossible, if not unbearable. People with this syndrome frequently get along with unpredictable or solitary people.

They lack personality and are meek,  subservient partners. They could be viewed as the relationship’s martyrs because they sacrifice everything for their partners, even putting up with their abuse. People who suffer from this condition are so terrified of being abandoned that they will do virtually anything to maintain their dependent connection.

If not treated or addressed, this ailment is chronic and may last the entirety of the person’s life. The presence of clingy parental conduct is the sole plausible explanation for this disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: OCPD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)  is not the same as this personality disorder. The person who has obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) strives for order and perfection. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder, however, view their own ritualistic behavior as unwanted or incorrect.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) patients frequently need control, order, and perfection in their personal lives and surroundings. Even when they sleep for hours, they often experience intrusive, uncontrollable thoughts, which prevent them from being quiet or relaxed.

People with OCPD have trouble building relationships because they constantly crave consistency and structure.
Although they can be excellent spouses and are often quite responsible, their desire for perfection might alienate their lovers.

There is constant anxiety about new experiences, circumstances, and changes in those with OCPD. They experience inward, overwhelming anxiety.

These emotions frequently lead to compulsive actions, like thorough body washing. Extreme cleanliness, in their eyes, will stop their health from declining. And keeping everything in order will guarantee the security and harmony of their mental and emotional well-being.

Because these individuals frequently feel helpless and powerless in various situations, OCPD falls under Cluster C. Unsuccessful efforts to regain control over oneself and their surroundings result in feelings of helplessness. Despite the brave and noble attempt, the outcome is frequently shaky and unhealthy.

The lack of trust makes relationships unstable. Additionally, people with OCPD are typically serious, frugal, doubtful, and humorless.

Most people with OCPD had psychological trauma from their childhood that was prompted by another traumatic incident in their lives. Childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse can result in psychological trauma. Additionally, according to psychiatrists, observing people close to you with OCPD may cause you to exhibit symptoms of OCPD. It’s possible to pick up and adopt ritualistic and repetitive behavior from other people.

Personality Disorder Cluster D: Depression-Anxiety-Paranoia-Antisocial

The personality disorders in Cluster D include those that share random traits with two or more of the disorders in the other three clusters. Since the symptoms of certain personality disorders are not as common or visible, they are challenging to predict.

The majority of the time, just one personality disorder, in its most severe form, has given rise to another personality disorder.
Borderline personalities, for instance, often manipulate when they feel rejected or insecure. They suffer from histrionic personality disorder and paranoia at the height of their uncontrollable emotions. Because of their shared symptoms, including insecurity, distrust, skepticism, and irregular or uncontrollable emotions, these diseases are closely related.

Sub-factors, Symptoms, and Signs of Mental Illness

Depression, anxiety, paranoia, insecurity, and retreat from society are typical warning signs and symptoms of a mental disorder, whether it is imminent or already present. These additional factors support the emergence of mental illness in an individual.

These signs or elements are typically present in timid or low self-esteem individuals. However, this does not suggest that they have a mental disorder. A person’s symptoms must be severe and above normal to be deemed a mental illness.

Depression

Depression is when a person is in a depressed state of mind due to a particular idea or circumstance and is one of the main indications and symptoms of a mental disorder. Most people with mental illnesses suffer from chronic depression, loneliness, and poor self-esteem. This creates more negative thoughts, which eventually risk becoming automatic.

Anxiety

Any one issue might cause someone anxiety for valid reasons. People with mental illnesses frequently have unreasonable or excessive fears and feelings of anxiety for no good reason.  They respond to the dreaded thing or circumstance with such ferocity that they risk injuring other people or themselves.

The only thing that matters is the urge to escape their source of anxiety, and they frequently ignore their surroundings and the people in them. In the case of anxiety, mentally ill individuals are so concerned that their continual fretting may cause them to develop sleeplessness, which then increases levels of anxiety.

Paranoia

In addition to being a problem in and of itself, paranoia can also be a symptom or indicator of a more severe mental illness. As with acute anxiety, paranoia’s concerns lack any basis in reality. People with the condition will use all means necessary to avoid the dreaded “thing,” or they will have panic episodes if they have to confront it.

Antisocial

Most cultures do not view loners and antisocial people as abnormal; instead, they view them as uncommon. Social withdrawal is typically a severe form of everyday loneliness and indicates mental illness.

The most vulnerable to developing personality disorders are avoidant persons who find it difficult to establish or maintain connections and are antisocial.

Social incapability signs are present in most personality disorders. The absence of social connection allows for more time alone, which is helpful for introspection but not ideal when combined with despair and anxiety.

People suffering from severe depression and anxiety won’t have someone to turn to for emotional support or social ties. Solace gives room for negative thoughts, which magnifies the situation by intensifying despair and escalating anxiety.

Preventing, Treating, and Defeating Personality Disorders

Having moral support during therapy or medical treatment is the best approach to recovering from mental illness, no matter how mild or severe it may be. Positive replacement would be beneficial since most personality disorders result from traumatic and unfavorable childhood experiences.

A person who has had their memory and thinking damaged by neglect, abuse, or mistreatment is prone to exhibit negative traits that may change who they are as a person. An event may eventually lead to the onset of a mental condition since people and life events are unpredictable.