High Conflict Person

The High-Conflict Personality Pattern

(as described by Bill Eddy, author of High Conflict Personalities: Understanding and Resolving Their Costly Disputes):

1. Rigid and Uncompromising, Repeating Failed Strategies

2. Difficulty Accepting and Healing Loss

3. Negative Emotions Dominate their Thinking

4. Inability to Reflect on their Own Behavior

5. Difficulty Empathizing With Others

6. Preoccupied with Blaming Others

7. Avoids Any Responsibility For the Problem or the Solution

Now, in my view, it isn't important that you classify your Sex Addict under a particularly diagnosis, because it's not likely you will convince him to get evaluated, and even so, a diagnosis won't be of much use to you in couples therapy or in court. What IS important is that you understand the mindset of your Addict so that you can learn to deal with those extremely frustrating patterns of behavior. Reading more about ALL the Cluster B personality disorders will help you do that.

Cluster B - Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Disorders

Anti-social Personality Disorder

• Lack of empathy.

• Lack of remorse for damaging behavior (no conscience).

• Impulsive behavior.

• Failure to consider the consequences of their actions.

• Aggressiveness and irritability that may lead to physical assaults.

• Problems with authority.

• May be cruel to animals or set fires.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Intense episodes of anxiety, depression and irritability lasting from a few hours to several days.

• Impulsive behavior.

• May direct anger outward in the form of physical aggression, but may also engage in self-destructive behaviors such as drug abuse, eating disorders or suicidal gestures. These behaviors are often intended to manipulate others.

• Usually have poor self-identity that leads to overly intense relationships with others. These interactions are generally filled with conflict, and the individual with borderline personality will vacillate between idealizing other people and undervaluing them.

• Tend to become angry and frustrated when other people fail to meet unrealistic expectations.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Display excessive but shallow emotions and attention-seeking behaviors. These individuals are constantly “performing” in order to gain attention.

• Experience fleeting moods, opinions, and beliefs. They are also very suggestible and quick to respond to fads.

• Generally need others to witness their emotional displays in order to gain validation or attention.

• Often display exaggerated symptoms of weakness or illness and may use threats of suicide to manipulate others.

• May use sexually provocative behaviors to control others or gain attention.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• An exaggerated sense of one's own abilities and achievements.

• A constant need for attention, affirmation and praise.

• A belief that he or she is unique or "special" and should only associate with other people of the same status.

• Persistent fantasies about attaining success and power.

• Exploiting other people for personal gain.

• A sense of entitlement and expectation of special treatment.

• A preoccupation with power or success.

• Feeling envious of others, or believing that others are envious of him or her.

• Lack of empathy.