Personality disorders affect long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to others. These patterns are persistent, often begin early in life, and can make daily life or relationships more difficult.
Personality disorders are medical conditions — not character flaws — and support can help.
Personality disorders involve enduring patterns that differ from cultural expectations and cause distress or difficulty functioning.
These patterns may affect:
How emotions are experienced and expressed
How relationships are formed and maintained
How situations are interpreted and responded to
Change is possible, but it usually takes time and support.
Personality disorders are often grouped by shared features.
Some common types include:
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) — intense emotions, fear of abandonment
Narcissistic Personality Disorder — difficulty with empathy, need for validation
Avoidant Personality Disorder — fear of rejection, social inhibition
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) — rigidity, perfectionism
Antisocial Personality Disorder — disregard for rules or others’ rights
Not everyone fits neatly into one category.
Patterns may include:
Strong emotional reactions
Difficulty maintaining stable relationships
Rigid thinking or behaviors
Sensitivity to rejection or criticism
Trouble adapting to change
Symptoms can vary in intensity over time.
Personality disorders involve differences in brain systems that regulate emotion, impulse control, and social processing.
This may include:
Heightened emotional reactivity
Differences in stress and threat responses
Patterns reinforced over time through experience
Brain biology and life experiences both play a role.
Evaluation usually includes:
Detailed clinical interviews over time
Discussion of long-term patterns, not just current symptoms
Screening tools and behavioral observations
Diagnosis focuses on persistence and impact, not isolated events.
Treatment focuses on building skills and stability.
Common approaches include:
Long-term therapy (such as DBT or CBT-based approaches)
Skills for emotional regulation and relationships
Medications in some cases to support mood or anxiety
Treatment is collaborative and individualized.
Helpful supports may include:
Learning emotion-regulation skills
Clear boundaries and routines
Consistent therapeutic support
Addressing co-occurring anxiety or mood symptoms
Progress is often gradual and meaningful over time.
Seek immediate help if symptoms include:
Thoughts of harming yourself or others
Severe emotional distress
Feeling unsafe or out of control
In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Understanding personality patterns can reduce shame and support growth.
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With support, healthier patterns can be learned and strengthened.