Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorder

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Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorder From the second someone is born, his or her personality starts to take shape. In early life, and then later on to their teenage years, the person explores many kinds of behaviors. Of all the behavior, or personalities, the person experiences, one of them will stick with them forever. Some of these behaviors can form personality disorders. “A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and to people. This causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social encounters, work and school” (“Definitions”). This is the definition of personality disorders described by Mayo Clinic. Studies have shown that many personality disorders develop in childhood or early adulthood, and often people that struggle with these disorders have difficult time learning, and an even greater difficulty in changing their behavior. People with personality disorders often have a hard time functioning or fitting into society. There are many different kinds of personality disorders; two of the most unique personality disorders are Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders. A person with Avoidant Personality Disorder is someone who feels very shy, inadequate, and is extremely sensitive to rejection. Individuals with this disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health it is said to be prevalent in about 5.2 percent of the U.S. adult population. It is not an overwhelming amount of people however it is a major personality disorder that should not be take... ... middle of paper ... ...dealing with and treating individuals who suffer from them. Over the next few years technology will help us begin to learn more about them and we can then learn more efficient ways of dealing with these disorders. Not only do these disorders have a harmful effect on the individuals who suffer from them, but everyone around them they are affecting as well. That is why these disorders have such a damaging effect on people’s lives. Hopefully one day we know enough about these disorders to prevent them from happening in the first place. Citations "Personality Disorders." Definition. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Jan.-Feb. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. "Dependent Personality Disorder." Http://www.apa.org. American Psychological Association, Aug.-Sept. 07. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydisorders/a/avoidant.htm

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