Personality Disorders
The word ‘personality’ refers to the pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviour that makes each of us the individuals that we are. WE don’t always think, feel and behave in the exactly the same way – it depends on the situation, the people around us and many other things. but mostly, we tend to behave in fairly predictable patterns.
Generally speaking, personality doesn’t change much but it does develop as we go through life and experience different things. over time our thinking, feelings and behaviours all change over time as we change our behaviour to cope with life more effectively.
HOWEVER, if you have a personality disorder you are likely to find this change more difficult. Your patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving are harder to change. You may have a limited range of emotions, attitudes and behaviours in which to cope with everyday life. This can make things more difficult for you or others around you.
If you have a personality disorder you may find that your thoughts and attitudes are different to most other people. They may find your behaviour unusual or unexpected.
Listen to Episode 2 of chat chit to hear about Helen and her diagnosis of BPD
Symptoms
What you experience will vary depending on which type of personality disorder you have but here are just a few:
- Find it hard to form relationships
- Find it hard to relate to people
- Find it difficult to be in social situations
- Others may find your behaviour eccentric or odd
- Lack some emotions or be consumed by them
- Not knowing who you are
- Act on impulse or have manic episodes
- Have inappropriate relationships
- Have a reputation for being dramatic
- Have compulsions to hurt yourself
- Avoid social activities
- Worry constantly
- Feel needy, weak or submissive and passive
Causes
Family Circumstances – there is some evidence to suggest that a traumatic childhood can lead to a personality disorder.
Trauma – not everyone who experiences trauma will have a personality disorder but it can make some people vulnerable to it.
Genetics – some elements of our personality are inherited, we are born with. Some personality disorders are linked to inheritance like obsessive compulsive personality disorder.
Treatments vary greatly depending on what condition you have, the symptoms you experience and what you need help with. See your GP for the best and most suited treatment for you. Medication and talking therapies are NICE recommended.