Personality is a unique set of characteristics, qualities, and traits that define a person and affect their thinking and behavior. A personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person’s personality traits make it hard for them to function in daily life, change their behaviors, or adapt to situations. People with personality disorders struggle to form healthy relationships with others, retain a job, and function in daily life.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that approximately 9% of American adults have a personality disorder. There are many different types of personality disorders, one of the most common being borderline personality disorder (BPD). Many of the symptoms of the different personality disorders overlap with other personality disorders and other conditions such as bipolar disorder or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Moreover, a large percentage of people with personality disorders also have one or more co-occurring mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, impulse control disorders, or substance use disorders. These factors make it challenging to diagnose and treat personality disorders.
Taking a personality disorder test can tell you whether you might have these mental health issues. However, the results of personality disorder tests do not serve as a diagnosis of a mental illness. A personality disorder can only be diagnosed by a mental health professional after a thorough evaluation.
Please continue reading to learn how a personality disorder quiz can help you understand your symptoms better and find treatment to address them.
What is a Personality Disorder?
A personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes a range of symptoms that make interpersonal relationships difficult. Personality disorders are associated with long-lasting patterns of thinking, reacting, and behaving that remain fixed and consistent over time. These behaviors are markedly different from accepted norms and can cause severe disruption to a person’s personal, professional, and social life. People with personality disorders typically do not realize that their thoughts and behaviors are problematic.
It’s important to distinguish between personality traits (such as being outgoing or shy) and personality disorders. Being diagnosed with a personality disorder carries a lot of stigma and can lead to discrimination. No one wants to be told there is something wrong with them, but personality disorders are actual mental health disorders that can and should be diagnosed and treated.
Types of Personality Disorders
Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric Disorders)
Paranoid Personality Disorder
People with paranoid personality disorder tend to be cold and distant towards others. They are overly suspicious and distrustful without adequate reason. Such individuals are always on their guard. They fail to see their thinking and behavior as problematic and tend to project their anger and paranoia on others. These patterns of thinking lead to difficulties developing close interpersonal relationships.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
People with schizoid personality disorder are introverted, cold, and distant. They have an intense fear of intimacy and the inability to form close relationships with others. Such individuals tend to be absorbed in themselves, frequently daydreaming and rejecting friendships and romantic relationships. Because of this, they can sometimes lose touch with reality and other people.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
People with schizotypal personality disorder are often described as eccentric. They are distant and introverted and have a fear of forming close relationships, similar to those with schizoid personality disorder. However, people with schizotypal personality disorder also have disordered thinking and perceptions as well as poor communication skills. Because of this, they tend to misinterpret other people’s behaviors and fail to understand how their own behavior affects others.
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Disorders)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most common and most studied personality disorders. People with this mental health condition are unable to manage their emotions and have unstable or inconsistent moods with intense mood swings. They are unsure of how to see themselves and often have a distorted self-image. Such individuals also tend to see things in extremes or as “black and white.” The loss of emotional control in BPD can lead to recklessness, impulsivity, and problems maintaining stable relationships.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
People with antisocial personality disorder consistently disregard the feelings of others. They tend to make people angry or upset on purpose and treat others with harsh indifference, without remorse for their behavior. Additionally, such individuals show no regard for right or wrong and may engage in violence or aggression against others for the sake of personal gain, without experiencing regret or guilt for their destructive behavior.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
People with narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated sense of self-esteem and superiority to others with an excessive need to impress. Such individuals frequently exploit others who fail to admire them or give them importance. They are overly sensitive to criticism and failure and often struggle with feels of defeat or rejection, putting their wellbeing and health at risk.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
People with histrionic personality disorder have a distorted self-image and unstable emotions. They are constant attention seekers and have an overwhelming desire to be noticed. Because of this, such individuals often behave dramatically or inappropriately to garner attention. People with this disorder are often perceived by others as exaggerated or superficial.
Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful Disorders)
Dependent Personality Disorder
People with dependent personality disorder tend to feel helpless and are overly reliant on others to fulfil their basic needs. They lack self-confidence, are submissive, and have trouble making simple decisions. Such individuals may be incapable of caring for themselves and reliant on close friends and family members for reassurance as well as meeting their physical and emotional needs.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
People with avoidant personality disorder are very sensitive to rejection. They avoid people and situations that can lead to possible conflict. This reaction is fear-driven. People with this disorder can become socially isolated, withdrawn, and unable to form close relationships.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder are preoccupied with organization and perfectionism. They have rigid beliefs, are averse to change, and unwilling to compromise. Such individuals have a need to control themselves, others, and situations. They can be excessively indecisive. Additionally, they tend to be bothered by disruptions in routine which can cause anxiety. Because of this, such individuals have trouble maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.
Signs and Symptoms of Personality Disorders
Common symptoms of personality disorders include:
- Emotional instability, such as emotional outbursts or extreme mood swings.
- Disturbed patterns of thinking and self-image.
- Strange, unexpected, or unpredictable behaviors.
- Impulsive or risk-taking behaviors.
- Suspicion and distrust of others.
- Need for instant rewards or gratification.
- Unstable relationships.
- Problems at school or work.
The symptoms of a personality disorder typically first appear during adolescence and become more obvious, distressful, and fixed as a person moves into adulthood. People with personality disorders are usually unaware that there is a problem with their thinking and behavior. However, their mental health issues can place family and friends under severe stress. As a result, loved ones are often the first people to seek help for a person with a personality disorder.
Causes of Personality Disorder
Genetics/Family History
Scientists believe that genetics plays a role in the development of personality disorders. However, there is no single gene that has been linked to these mental health conditions, and many genes are thought to be involved.
Environmental Factors
Experts in mental health believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors leads to personality disorders. For example, people with a history of childhood abuse, trauma, neglect, or an unstable or chaotic early family life have higher rates of personality disorders, especially certain types such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Researchers believe this is because a positive family environment and a healthy, secure bond with a parent or caregiver is critical to how a person’s personality develops.
Neurobiological Factors
Advances in neuroscience have helped researchers understand the role of brain circuitry, genetics, and neuromodulators in regulating normal behavior. Disruptions in neurobiological factors are believed to play a role in the development of personality disorders in some people. For example, researchers postulate that genes that regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine may be involved. These natural chemicals play an important role in regulating mood, impulsivity, and other changes in behavior which are commonly seen in people with personality disorders. Additionally, underactivity or overactivity in certain parts of the brain may lead to aggression, reduced inhibition, emotional lability, detachment, and other symptoms characteristic of personality disorders.
Diagnosis of Personality Disorders
A diagnosis of a personality disorder is made on the basis of symptoms listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which serves as a guideline for mental health professionals.
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+18442884672 To compare a person’s symptoms to these standard guidelines, mental health professionals interview the affected person. The interviews include questions about past issues with mental health, relationships, family background, drug or alcohol problems, and other health conditions.
Mental health professionals may also perform a physical examination and order blood tests, imaging, and other investigations to rule out other causes for a person’s symptoms.
The evaluation for a personality disorder can be lengthy and may involve appointments with a psychiatrist or psychologist to better understand how a person sees and interprets the world around them.
Self-Administered Personality Disorder Tests
There are many online and offline personality disorder tests that can serve as a preliminary tool to help you understand your or a loved one’s symptoms. The goal of a personality disorder test is to give you clues about whether you need additional evaluation, support, and treatment. However, personality disorder tests are not diagnostic of these mental health disorders.
Personality disorders are complex mental health disorders that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. That’s why it’s important to reach out for support to mental health professionals.
Some of the questions asked in a personality disorder quiz may include:
- Do you experience extreme or unpredictable mood swings such as anxiety, panic, irritability, sadness, or elation?
- Do you engage in impulsive or risky behaviors like gambling, spending sprees, or reckless driving?
- Do you have intense, unstable relationships or trouble maintaining stable, healthy relationships?
- Do you feel others are “out to get you”?
- Do you have a constant need for attention or admiration?
- Do you avoid people or social interactions due to a fear or rejection or criticism?
- Do you find it difficult to understand other people’s feelings?
- Do you struggle with knowing who you are (your identity)?
- Do you experience feelings of boredom or emptiness?
- Do you have a strong fear or being abandoned or alone?
- Do you find yourself excessively preoccupied with perfection, control, and order?
How Accurate are Personality Disorder Tests
Personality disorder tests are designed to give you a general idea about whether seeking care from a mental health professional might be beneficial for you. They are not diagnostic tools and should not be used as a substitute for a professional evaluation.
With that said, a personality disorder test can be a valuable first step in identifying whether there’s a problem and getting treatment for a personality disorder.
Treatment Options for Personality Disorders
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the mainstay of long-term treatment for a personality disorder. It involves developing a trusting relationship with a mental health care provider who can help you understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they affect your life and the lives of your loved ones.
The type of psychotherapy can vary with the type of personality disorder. Some of the common forms of psychotherapy recommended for people with personality disorders are briefly described below:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of talk therapy that can help with a wide range of mental health problems, including personality disorders. During CBT, you work with a therapist to identify unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior and replace them with healthy habits. The aim of cognitive behavioral therapy is to break negative thinking patterns. CBT is the basis for many other types of psychotherapy such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and schema therapy.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps people who have difficulties with emotional regulation learn how to manage their emotions and change negative thinking and behaviors. It can be particularly helpful for people with a borderline personality disorder (BPD) which is characterized by strong emotions, impulsivity, emptiness, intense mood swings, and unstable relationships.
Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP)
People with personality disorders struggle with emotional stability, self-image, and relationships with others. Transference-focused psychotherapy is designed to treat these issues by concentrating on the relationship between the patient and the therapist. Together, the patient and therapist explore how their relationship develops and how learnings from this evolution can be applied to the real world. TFP has been found to reduce self-harm in people with borderline personality disorder as well as reduce anxiety and depression and improve social adjustment.
Schema-Focused Therapy
The underlying principle of schema therapy is that people whose basic childhood needs such as love, safety, and acceptance are not met develop unhealthy ways of interacting with and interpreting others later in life. These are called maladaptive early schemas (schemas are broad patterns of thinking and behavior). Schema therapy focuses on identifying and modifying these unhealthy thought patterns that develop in early life. It includes elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy.
Mentalization-Based Therapy
People with personality disorders have a reduced capacity to mentalize (make sense of themselves and others). Mentalization-based therapy consists of interventions that promote better mentalizing, helping people with personality disorders develop a stable sense of self that is neither too detached nor too intense.
Supportive Psychotherapy
Supportive psychotherapy is designed to help individuals with personality disorders by providing validation and empathy. Rather than focusing on deep psychoanalysis, it helps in addressing pressing concerns, such as ongoing family conflicts, through emotional support, validation, and encouragement in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Medications
Some of the medications that may be prescribed to people with personality disorders include:
- Antidepressants to control feelings of depression, sadness, hopelessness, irritability, and impulsivity.
- Anti-anxiety medications to help with anxiety, insomnia, and agitation. However, these drugs can increase impulsivity and are not appropriate for certain types of personality disorders.
- Mood stabilizers to reduce mood swings, irritability, aggression, and impulsivity.
- Antipsychotic drugs to treat psychosis (losing touch with reality) as well as anxiety and anger.
Residential Treatment
Some people with severe personality disorders require hospitalization or inpatient (residential) treatment in a rehabilitation facility for mental health disorders. This is especially important if a person is unable to care for themselves at home or is a danger to themselves and/or others. Once stabilized, such patients can graduate to day hospital programs or outpatient treatment.
How Discover Recovery Can Help
Personality disorders are complex mental health disorders that don’t go away without treatment. But doctors have many effective methods of treating and managing these distressing and disruptive conditions.
The highly experienced team of mental health professionals at Discover Recovery Treatment Center in Long Beach, Washington, can help in diagnosing and managing a personality disorder in yourself or a loved one. Our programs are customized to the needs to each patient. They are designed to help you learn emotional regulation and stop bouncing between extreme patterns of thinking and behavior. The goal is to help you understand what’s going on in your head and control your confusing and overwhelming feelings. We achieve this by helping you understand the origins of your dysfunctional beliefs and eliminating them by revisiting and reinterpreting them in a safe and supportive environment.
If you have taken a personality disorder test and got a positive result, talk to us today. We can find out if you meet the criteria for diagnosis of a personality disorder and give you the care you need. We also offer inpatient (residential) programs for people with severe personality disorders requiring stabilization.
