Personality Disorders

1665 Words4 Pages

Personality disorders are a group of mental conditions that are characterized by maladaptive patterns of behavior. An individual with a personality disorder will have an unhealthy and rigid pattern of functioning, thinking, and behaving. In addition, he/she has a difficulty perceiving and relating to people and situations. Because of all these, these individuals encounter problems and limitations in dealing with personal issues, relationships, school and even work. Personality disorders are prevalent in teenage years all the way through early adulthood. The etiology of personality disorders remains unknown, nonetheless, childhood experiences and genes are said to play a role in causing these mental illnesses. This is from a traditional belief point of view whereby, it is believed that, personality disorders stem from a dysfunctional early environment whereby one is prevented from evolving the adaptive patterns of response, perception, and defense. There are a number of factors that are linked to personality disorders in childhood, for instance sexual abuse, emotional abuse, negligence, physical abuse, and when a child is bullied. In addition, there are emotional/behavioral factors that are also linked to personality disorders which are; bullying others, truanting, prolonged periods of misery, being suspended or expelled from school, and deliberate self harm. All the se factors are linked to personality disorders however; there is an evidence based link between genetic factors and personality disorders that is growing over time (Reichborn-Kjennerud 2010). Personality disorders are conditions whereby an individual differs significantly from an average person. This is in terms of how they perceive, feel, think, or relate to others. ... ... middle of paper ... ...l personality disorder whereby a qualified psychotherapist is involved. Most therapies focus on the patient’s emotions and how he/she is to be helped to live like other normal people in the society. All patients need mental health from qualified professionals in order to be able to live a normal life, or else, they remain dangerous to their family members, and the community at large. Works Cited Reichborn-Kjennerud T. (2010). The genetic epidemiology of personality disorders. Dialogues Clin Neuroscience, 12(1):103-14. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Psych Central. (2013). Antisocial Personality Disorder Treatment. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 5, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/antisocial-personality-disorder-treatment/

Open Document