Not necessarily mental illnesses per se, but personality disorders are psychological conditions that affect people and their relationships.
From wikipedia:
Personality disorders are defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as “an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the culture of the individual who exhibits it”. These patterns, as noted, are inflexible and pervasive across many situations, due in large part to the fact that such behavior is ego-syntonic (i.e., the patterns are consistent with the ego integrity of the individual), and therefore, perceived to be appropriate by that individual. The onset of these patterns of behavior can typically be traced back to late adolescence and the beginning of adulthood, and, in rare instances, childhood.
Similar Minds has a good summary of personality disorders:
The first group are the Eccentric Personality Disorders. These people often appear strange or peculiar to others.
- Paranoid Personality Disorder – individual generally tends to interpret the actions of others as threatening.
- Schizoid Personality Disorder – individual generally detached from social relationships, and shows a narrow range of emotional expression in various social settings.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder – individual is uncomfortable in close relationships, has thought or perceptual distortions, and peculiarities of behavior.
The second group are the Dramatic Personality Disorders. These people have intense emotional mood swings and distorted perceptions of themselves and impulsive behaviours.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder – individual shows a pervasive disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others.
- Borderline Personality Disorder – individual shows a generalized pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and observable emotions, and significant impulsiveness.
- Histrionic Personality Disorder - individual often displays excessive emotionality and attention seeking in various contexts. They tend to overreact to other people, and are often perceived as shallow and self-centered.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder – individual has a grandiose view of themselves, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy that begins by early adulthood and is present in various situations. These individuals are very demanding in their relationships.
The third group are the Anxious Personality Disorders. These people are often fearful and anxious of one or many things.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder – individual is socially inhibited, feels inadequate, and is oversensitive to criticism
- Dependent Personality Disorder – individual shows an extreme need to be taken care of that leads to fears of separation, and passive and clinging behavior.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder – individual is preoccupied with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency.
Similar minds also has a test for personality disorders you can take here.
Hi,
I think many mental health professionals now consider PDs to be mental illnesses. There is now support for biological processes that are correlated PDs, and many (for example, borderline personality disorder) are often so severe as to be the primary presenting problem.
Interesting and thanks.
I have high expectations that as time passes and more studies are conducted, medical science will find biological processes behind most disorders that are currently inexplicable.
Likely similar to how common diseases were once considered mystical during the medieval eras–which we are now moving ever away from.
I have borderline personality disorder, and I have started a blog to document my journey. Thanks for listing the various disorders.
I admire and applaud your courage to document your experiences Kali. I wish you well on your journey.
i have all of them…..
[...] featured the list of personality disorders on the blog before and I thought it might be a fun idea to categorize some of the prominent members [...]
I have a friend who I am extremely worried about, however I cannot bring this issue to their attention because of the personality disorder that he/she presents. Also this person is already doing enough to me behind my back and who knows what other damage could arise from this person. I have the authorities investigating this and it has not been pleasant. My personality would rather help someone than kick a “so called friendship” to the curb. Everyone has asked me to cut this person loose, but I can’t keep them out of my computer or other things. Long story…….
It is a fairly new, or newly observed disorder. I believe it starts with a S. I am hoping you could provide the name & information about this disorder.
Person portrays true undying friendship, but is a backstabber and will take every known opportunity to sabotage another if given the tools, such as personal information, health issues, names of doctors, jobs, etc.
Will use this information to make up stories to try to have associates/friends fired from jobs, dismissed from doctors, use people in job situations such as banks, credit unions, social services, police stations, etc… to be nosy or start trouble. Basically will be thrilled with the downfall, bad luck or anything negative that can happen.
There is a medical show on television affiliate station ABC called The Doctors who briefly discussed this condition, but I did not catch the name of the disorder.
Is there any information you can provide on this? I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank You,
Sandra
P.S.
Just to add for above reference: Above said person has “supposedly” job, married, should not have financial worries that are major. Above average health, speaks of many friends, not homebound or disabled or on medication that could cause this behavior.
Is this person just hateful with a heart and soul from the devil or can certain vitamins/minerals be lacking, or medication and or counseling given?
Or does this person have to redeem themselves before going to heaven with a satisfied soul…….
They have also stolen from me and my whereabouts in the past.
What can this be?
There are a lot of proposed personality disorders and psychological conditions, although from quick reading, your friend sounds like a Narcissist at heart. Check this link and see if it matches.
I had a person in my life who did all that to me and many others. She has a criminal mind. She is narcistic, paranoid and a Type two Bully. Those are the people who are not comfortable unless other people are suffering. They move from target to target but someone is always the hapless victim. Many times the other people around who arent the current target wont know whats going on. Only the victim. Thats the payday for Miss Bully number two. She is swallowed up of Jealousy and rage and I dont know what it would take to fix her.I moved away. My opinion is a little bad genes mixed up with bad growing up environment and she is swimming in an unbleievably empty abyss. Putting the poison in the target though doesnt ease her pain. To really turn her loose on someone is for that person to become successful. She cant handle that. Shes worse off than me. I escaped.
Thanks for sharing your story, and I’m happy that you have been able to extricate yourself from that destructive relationship.
I have a question: are you dealing with a psychopath? Check out this article for some interesting views on these kinds of people.
I take on the personality of any main character after I watch a movie. I also didn’t ever really think that I had a personality disorder but I’d made up personalities to help me get through life. I’m not even out of middle school yet.