Personality Disorders: 10 Main Types

Personality disorders are a group of psychological conditions. They involve rigid and persistent patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings that differ from what is expected in a specific culture.

In general, personality disorders can make it harder to understand and interact with situations and people. This can lead to problems or limitations in relationships and social interactions.

These disorders are usually diagnosed and managed by a psychiatrist. Treatment typically involves therapy sessions and, in some cases, medications prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Main categories

According to the DSM-5-TR, personality disorders are grouped into three clusters:

• Odd or eccentric: paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders

• Dramatic, emotional, or erratic: antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic disorders

• Anxious or fearful: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive disorders

It is important to consult a psychiatrist if there are signs of a personality disorder, so that a thorough assessment can be carried out and an accurate diagnosis made.

Different types

The main personality disorders are:

1. Narcissistic personality disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and grandiosity, as well as a strong need for recognition and a tendency to devalue other people.

Narcissists are self-centered and believe they are special, unique, and superior to others. They feel they should be admired and treated in a special way, take advantage of others to reach their own goals, lack empathy, and do not understand other people’s feelings or needs. They may often feel envious or believe that others envy them.

2. Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, constant feelings of emptiness, sudden mood changes, and marked impulsivity.

In general, a person with this type of personality disorder makes great efforts to avoid abandonment and has a pattern of intense, unstable relationships. They may see people as good one moment and quickly judge them as bad.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people with borderline personality disorder have a higher rate of self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than the general population. Read more about borderline personality disorder symptoms and how they are managed.

3. Antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality disorder, also known as sociopathy, can appear very early, even in childhood. It is characterized by disrespect for and violation of other people’s rights, disregard for right and wrong, dangerous and/or criminal behavior, and an inability to adapt to social norms.

In general, a sociopath may be very skilled at deceiving, lying to, or misleading others to gain personal advantages or pleasure.

In addition, they may be impulsive and aggressive and often resort to physical aggression and disrespect toward others. They may not feel remorse and may appear indifferent after hurting or mistreating someone.

4. Avoidant personality disorder

Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by excessive shyness and avoidance of social situations and interactions, along with feelings of inadequacy and strong sensitivity to negative evaluation from others.

A person with this type of personality disorder generally avoids interpersonal activities due to fear of criticism, rejection, or disapproval. They may be afraid to become involved in intimate relationships or meet new people and may feel inferior to others.

In addition, fear of taking personal risks and getting involved in new activities is also very common.

5. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is characterized by behaviors such as excessive concern with organization, extreme perfectionism, and a need for control. People with this disorder may be inflexible and have difficulty delegating responsibilities.

6. Paranoid personality disorder

Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by excessive distrust and suspicion of others, in which other people’s intentions are constantly interpreted as malicious.

This disorder usually appears in early adulthood and may be linked to hereditary factors and childhood experiences.

In this type of personality disorder, the person usually does not trust others and is suspicious of them. They may often feel they are being deceived, even when there is no reason to believe this.

For this reason, it is common for them to constantly question the loyalty of friends and colleagues, not trust others, and feel that other people’s intentions are humiliating or threatening.

In addition, a person with paranoid personality disorder may be seen as cold and distant, may not express affection, and may tend to hold grudges. They may not forgive easily and may often interpret other people’s attitudes as attacks, reacting with anger, irritation, and hostility.

7. Schizoid personality disorder

Schizoid personality disorder is a relatively rare condition that is more common in men. It is characterized by a preference for being alone and avoiding social or close relationships, including family connections. People with this disorder are often perceived as distant, detached, or emotionally indifferent.

In general, a person with this type of disorder tends to be introspective, may spend a lot of time fantasizing, and usually prefers solitary activities. They often avoid intimate and social contact, do not have close friends, and seem indifferent to praise or criticism.

8. Schizotypal personality disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by difficulty forming intimate relationships, discomfort with social and interpersonal contact, a feeling that other people may be harmful, and distrust and lack of affection toward others.

In general, a person with schizotypal personality disorder may have eccentric behavior, speech, and appearance. They may also have bizarre beliefs that do not align with the cultural norms they live in, as well as unusual thoughts, perceptions, and speech similar to those seen in schizophrenia.

9. Histrionic personality disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by low self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism and rejection, and a tendency to depend on other people’s attention and approval for one’s own well-being.

A person with this disorder typically feels uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention. Their interactions with others are often marked by dramatic and inappropriate behavior that may be sexually provocative, along with rapid changes in emotional expression.

In addition, they may use their physical appearance to draw attention and use overly impressionistic speech and exaggerated emotional expressions. However, a person with histrionic personality disorder is easily influenced by others or by circumstances and may consider relationships to be more intimate than they really are.

10. Dependent personality disorder

Dependent personality disorder is characterized by low self-confidence, a limited view of oneself and others, and an excessive need to be cared for. This can lead to submissive behavior and fear of separation or abandonment.

A person with this disorder typically has difficulty making decisions without help from others. They may rely on others to take responsibility for major areas of their life and avoid disagreeing out of fear of losing support or approval, which can make them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

In addition, they may struggle to start projects or do things on their own due to low confidence, energy, or motivation. They may also have a strong need for affection and support and feel uncomfortable or helpless when alone.

For this reason, they may urgently seek a new relationship as a source of affection and support when a current relationship ends.