Personality Disorders – Simple Summary Guide
What is a Personality Disorder?
A personality disorder is a long-term pattern of thinking, feeling, and
behaving that is unhealthy and causes problems in relationships, work,
emotions, or daily life.
People with personality disorders often:
• Think differently from others
• Have trouble controlling emotions
• Struggle in relationships
• Find it hard to adjust to situations
Psychologists group personality disorders into 3 clusters.
Cluster A – Odd or Eccentric Disorders
Paranoid Personality Disorder – Always suspicious and distrustful of
others.
Signs:
Thinks people want to harm or trick them
Finds it hard to trust others
Holds grudges
Overreacts to criticism
Example: A worker believes coworkers are secretly talking badly about them.
Unlike schizophrenia, they do not usually lose touch with reality.
Schizoid Personality Disorder – Prefers being alone and avoids
relationships.
Signs:
Little interest in friends or romance
Emotionally cold or distant
Enjoys solitary activities
Example: A student spends most of the time alone.
They avoid people because they prefer isolation, not because of fear.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder – Has unusual thoughts and strange
behavior.
Signs:
Strange beliefs or magical thinking
Odd speech or behavior
Feels uncomfortable with close relationships
Example: Someone believes they can read minds.
More unusual and eccentric than schizoid disorder.
Cluster B – Dramatic or Emotional Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder – Breaks rules and hurts others without
guilt.
Signs:
Lies or manipulates others
Aggressive behavior
No guilt after hurting others
Breaks laws or rules
Example: A person scams others for money.
Focused on manipulation and lack of conscience.
Borderline Personality Disorder – Has strong emotions and unstable
relationships.
Signs:
Fear of abandonment
Mood swings
Impulsive actions
Unstable self-image
Self-harm may happen
Example: Someone gets very upset when ignored.
Main problem is emotional instability and fear of being left.
Histrionic Personality Disorder – Always wants attention.
Signs:
Very dramatic or emotional
Wants to be the center of attention
Easily influenced by others
Uses appearance to gain attention
Example: A person becomes upset when not noticed.
Main goal is gaining attention and approval.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder – Feels superior and wants admiration.
Signs:
Thinks they are special or more important
Needs praise
Lacks empathy
Feels entitled
Example: A student thinks they deserve special treatment.
Main focus is superiority and admiration, not just attention.
Cluster C – Anxious or Fearful Disorders
Avoidant Personality Disorder – Avoids people because of fear of
rejection.
Signs:
Very shy
Sensitive to criticism
Wants relationships but fears embarrassment
Example: Someone avoids group activities.
Unlike schizoid disorder, they actually want friends.
Dependent Personality Disorder – Depends too much on others.
Signs:
Difficulty making decisions alone
Fear of being alone
Very dependent in relationships
Example: A person cannot make decisions alone.
Main problem is dependence and fear of separation.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) – Obsessed with
perfection and control.
Signs:
Perfectionist
Rigid rules and schedules
Difficulty relaxing
Wants control over situations
Example: A worker spends too much time fixing small details.
Unlike OCD, these behaviors feel “correct” to the person.
Quick Differences
• Paranoid = Distrustful
• Schizoid = Likes being alone
• Schizotypal = Strange beliefs
• Antisocial = No guilt
• Borderline = Emotional instability
• Histrionic = Attention-seeking
• Narcissistic = Wants admiration
• Avoidant = Fear of rejection
• Dependent = Too reliant on others
• OCPD = Perfectionist