Types of personality disorder

Outlining the different types of personality disorder, their characteristics and what to do if you're struggling.

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Page medically reviewed by Dr Oluwagbenga Odeyemi (MBBS, MPH, MRCPsych), Consultant Psychiatrist at Priory Wellbeing Centre Birmingham, in April 2023.

What is a personality disorder?

Personality disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect multiple areas of a person’s life, including behaviour, thoughts and feelings, on a daily basis. They can also affect how you understand and relate to other people, as well as your general health and wellbeing.

There are many types of personality disorder and they can range from being mild and relatively manageable, to having a severe and enduring impact on your ability to function.

What are the 10 types of personality disorder?

There are 10 recognised types of personality disorder. It’s likely that the symptoms you experience will vary depending on the specific type of personality disorder you're struggling with. Symptoms will also vary from person-to-person.

The 10 types are:

  • Dependent personality disorder
  • Paranoid personality disorder
  • Schizoid personality disorder
  • Schizotypal personality disorder
  • Avoidant personality disorder
  • Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)
  • Histrionic personality disorder
  • Narcissistic personality disorder
  • Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
  • Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), sometimes known as borderline personality disorder (BPD)
  • Impulsive personality disorder (a subtype of EUPD)

How are personality disorders diagnosed?

Managing a personality disorder can be difficult without the right support and treatment. To get the correct care, you need to get a diagnosis for your personality disorder so that the right treatment plans can be put into place.

To get a diagnosis, there are a few things you need to do.

  1. Talk your GP and tell them all of the symptoms you're experiencing
  2. Get a GP referral to a personality disorder specialist for an assessment
  3. Discuss treatment options with a specialist after your diagnosis

What are personality clusters?

Different personality disorders have different symptoms. For example, it's very unlikely that someone with EUPD would experience the same symptoms as someone with paranoid personality disorder.

To help us understand some of the symptoms and characteristics a little better, personality disorders can be categorised into three different clusters.

Cluster A – includes personality disorders that are characterised by unconventional behaviour. This group includes paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.

Cluster B - groups together disorders with dramatic and unpredictable symptoms. This group includes ASPD, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. EUPD and impulsive personality disorder also fit into cluster B.

Cluster C – a grouping that includes disorders where people typically experience fearful and anxious symptoms. This group includes avoidant personality disorder, OCPD and dependent personality disorder.

When you visit your GP or specialist for a personality disorder assessment, they'll be able to explain each cluster in more detail to you and where you may fit in.

types of personality disorder clusters

Types of personality disorder explained

Paranoid personality disorder

This type of personality disorder is usually characterised by a difficulty in trusting others and believing they'll take advantage of you in some way. If you have paranoid personality disorder, you may interpret danger in everyday situations which other people don’t observe, and you'll always be watching other people closely in case they become hostile.

Schizoid personality disorder

You may feel that relationships get in the way of your day-to-day life, and that other people will only cause you problems. This means you tend to have a general disinterest in forming relationships, even with other family members. It can be difficult to experience pleasure from everyday life, with little interest in emotional connection or intimacy.

Schizotypal personality disorder

This type of personality disorder is often characterised by eccentric behaviour, which can make it difficult for you to find and maintain close relationships with others. You may use words and phrases that other people find unusual, while delusional thoughts and beliefs, such as believing you have special powers, can lead to you feeling anxious or tense when others don’t share these ideas.

ASPD

People with ASPD may behave dangerously and sometimes illegally, and generally act in ways that are seen as unpleasant to others. You may already have a criminal record and feel little or no sense of guilt when mistreating or upsetting other people.

EUPD

Sometimes referred to as borderline personality disorder (BPD), you may find that you experience intense emotions, which can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. You might fluctuate between being extremely happy to feeling extremely low, often in the same day. You may also find it hard to maintain stable relationships, and you might experience thoughts of suicide or harming yourself.

Impulsive personality disorder

This is a subtype of EUPD, and is different from other types of the disorder in that it's likely that you'll appear charismatic to others. People with impulsive personality disorder may feel the need to be the focus of people's attention. You may also be adventurous to the point of engaging in dangerous activity.

Histrionic personality disorder

Similar to impulsive personality disorder, with histrionic personality disorder, you might feel uncomfortable if you aren't the focus of other people's attention at social events or in the workplace. You may have an overwhelming urge to entertain people, and can be easily emotionally influenced by other people and their opinions towards you.

Narcissistic personality disorder

If you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may appear selfish and as though you regularly put your needs above others. You might believe there are unique reasons that make you different or better than other people, although you may also have delicate self-esteem which is built upon others’ recognition of your value and attributes.

OCPD

OCPD can make you feel the need to keep everything in order and be in control of your surroundings. This can lead you to have high expectations of yourself and other people in work and other ability-focused settings. You might believe that awful things will happen if something doesn’t go your way, and you may dwell on the mistakes of yourself and others.

Avoidant personality disorder

Also known as anxious personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder often causes people to avoid situations where they have to spend a significant amount of time with others, such as at work or social gatherings. It's likely that you'll feel overly sensitive to disapproval and will constantly worry about being rejected in social settings. You may feel inferior to others, and avoid developing relationships for fear that you may be ridiculed or rejected.

Dependent personality disorder

This type of personality disorder causes you to be dependent on others to make decisions in your daily life. You may also let others take responsibility for you in many areas. You may have low self-confidence and appear submissive or passive to others. In work meetings, for example, you might agree to things even if you dislike a thought or opinion, so that you don’t lose the support of others.

What to do if you suspect you have a personality disorder

If you suspect you have a personality disorder, you need to visit your GP or another type of medical professional. They'll be able to talk you through any symptoms you may be experiencing, and provide a general observation from your initial meeting.

Once you've had your first meeting, you'll be able to get clear answers as to whether you do have a personality disorder as well as what kind of disorder you may have.

It’s important to understand that having a personality disorder doesn't make you untreatable and that different treatments are available depending on the type of personality disorder you have.

Treatment for personality disorders at Priory aims to reduce the impact of the condition on your life and there are several psychotherapies that can help to achieve this. Medication can also help you to manage your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your personality disorder and your stage in treatment, we can offer residential, day care and outpatient based treatment for personality disorders.

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