Personality Disorders

Summary

Personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses. They involve long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy and inflexible. The behaviors cause serious problems with relationships and work. People with personality disorders have trouble dealing with everyday stresses and problems. They often have stormy relationships with other people.

The cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, genes and childhood experiences may play a role.

The symptoms of each personality disorder are different. They can mild or severe. People with personality disorders may have trouble realizing that they have a problem. To them, their thoughts are normal, and they often blame others for their problems. They may try to get help because of their problems with relationships and work. Treatment usually includes talk therapy and sometimes medicine.

National Institute of Mental Health

Specifics

• Antisocial Personality Disorder Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Avoidant Personality Disorder Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Borderline Personality Disorder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Borderline Personality Disorder National Institute of Mental Health
• Dependent Personality Disorder Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Histrionic Personality Disorder Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Paranoia and Delusional Disorders Mental Health America
• Schizoid Personality Disorder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Patient Handouts

• Antisocial personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Avoidant personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Borderline personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Dependent personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Histrionic personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Narcissistic personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Paranoid personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Personality disorders Medical Encyclopedia
• Schizoid personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Schizotypal personality disorder Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Borderline Personality Disorder: Psychotherapy Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center
• Mental Health Medications National Institute of Mental Health
• Psychotherapies National Institute of Mental Health

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Antisocial Personality Disorder National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Borderline Personality Disorder National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Personality Disorders National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Find a Psychiatrist American Psychiatric Association
• FindTreatment.gov Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Help for Mental Illnesses National Institute of Mental Health
• NAMI NAMI
• National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health

Statistics and Research

• Personality Disorders National Institute of Mental Health

Start Here

• Personality Disorders Mental Health America

Journal Articles

• Personality Disorders