Personality
disorders
personality disorders
patterns of thinking, feeling, and
behaving that cause problems in daily
life. These patterns are hard to change
and can affect relationships, emotions,
and decision-making.
PERSONALITY TRAITS
Enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and
behaving that make each person unique.
PERSONALITY DISORDER
They are extreme, inflexible, and cause
problems in relationships, work, or daily life.
3 CLUSTERS OF PERSONALITY DISORDER
CLUSTER A CLUSTER B CLUSTER C
1. Paranoid Personality 1. Antisocial Personality 1. Avoidant Personality
Disorder Disorder Disorder
2. Schizoid Personality 2. Boarderline 2. Dependent
Disorder Personality Disorder Personality Disorder
3. Histrionic Personality 3. Obsessive-
3. Schizotypal
Disorder
Persoaltiy Disorder compulsive
4. Narcissistic
Personality Disorder
Personality Disorder
People may seem
distant, suspicious, or People may act dramatically, People may be very shy,
seek attention, or struggle with dependent on others, or overly
have strange beliefs.
relationships. focused on rules and order.
CLUSTER A
Schizoid Personality Schizotypal Personality
Paranoid Personality Disorder Disorder
Disorder Pervasive pattern of Pervasive eccentric
detachment from social behavior, unusual thinking,
Pervasive distrust and
relationships and and difficulty in forming
suspiciousness.
restricted expression of close relationships.
Early adulthood.
emotions. Early adulthood.
Commonly diagnosed in
Early adulthood. Genetics and physiological.
MALES.
Genetics and Commonly diagnosed in
Genetics and
physiological. MALES.
physiological.
Slightly more often
diagnosed in MALES.
Antisocial Personality
Disorder
CLUSTER b Borderline Personality
Disorder
Intense emotions,
Pervasive disregard for
Histrionic Personality unstable relationships,
and violation of the rights
Disorder impulsivity, and a fear of
of others.
Pervasive of excessive abandonment
individual must be 18 y.o.
emotionality, attention Adolescence, and early
Commonly diagnosed in adulthood.
seeking and a strong need
MALES. Genetics and
for approval.
Genetics and Adolescence, and early physiological.
physiological. adulthood. Mostly diagnosed in
M=F FEMALES
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a
deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
Adolescence, and early adulthood.
more prevalent in men
CLUSTER C
Avoidant Personality Dependent Personality Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder Disorder Personality Disorder
characterized by extreme characterized by an a preoccupation with order,
social inhibition, feelings of excessive need to be perfection, control, and rigid
inadequacy, and a deep taken care of, leading to rules, often at the expense of
fear of rejection or submissive, clingy flexibility, efficiency, and
criticism. behavior and a fear of relationships
Adolescence, and early separation. Early adulthood
adulthood. Early adulthood. Commonly diagnosed in
M=F Slightly more often MALES.
diagnosed in FEMALES.
DEFENCE MECHANISM
Projection → Blaming others for your own feelings or flaws.
Denial → Refusing to accept reality or facts.
Rationalization → Making excuses to justify bad behavior.
Splitting → Seeing people as either all good or all bad.
Regression → Acting childish to avoid dealing with problems.
Dissociation → Mentally disconnecting from a stressful situation.
Intellectualization → Focusing on facts instead of emotions.
Idealization & Devaluation → First worshiping someone, then seeing
them as worthless.
DEFENCE MECHANISM
Acting Out → Expressing emotions through impulsive actions instead of
words.
Avoidance → Staying away from situations that cause anxiety.
Fantasy → Escaping reality by imagining a better situation.
Reaction Formation → Acting the opposite of how you really feel.
Isolation of Affect → Talking about an emotional event without showing
feelings.
Distortion → Twisting reality to fit personal beliefs.
Withdrawal → Emotionally or physically pulling away from others.
TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy) – Main Treatment Approach
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps identify and change distorted thinking patterns that contribute
to negative behaviors.
Useful for Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive, Paranoid, and
Narcissistic Personality Disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving
relationships.
Especially effective for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy) – Main Treatment Approach
Schema Therapy
Helps change deep-seated negative beliefs formed in childhood.
Useful for BPD, Narcissistic, and Avoidant Personality Disorders.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Explores past experiences and unconscious conflicts influencing
personality.
Useful for all personality disorders, especially Cluster B (dramatic &
emotional types).
Group Therapy
Encourages social interaction and peer support in a structured setting.
Helpful for Avoidant, Dependent, and Borderline Personality Disorders.
TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Medication (If Needed for Symptoms)
Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs)
Help with mood instability, anxiety, and depression (common in BPD,
Avoidant, and Dependent PD).
Mood Stabilizers
Reduce impulsivity and emotional swings (helpful for BPD and Antisocial PD).
Antipsychotics
Used for severe paranoia or distorted thinking (in Paranoid, Schizotypal, and
BPD).
Anti-Anxiety Medications (used cautiously) → Can help with social anxiety
but may increase dependence in some individuals.
TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Lifestyle Changes & Self-Help Strategies
Mindfulness & Stress Management
Helps with emotional regulation and reduces impulsive reactions.
Journaling & Self-Reflection
Increases awareness of emotions and triggers.
Healthy Routine & Exercise
Improves overall mood and mental stability.
Building Supportive Relationships
Encourages personal growth and reduces isolation.
TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Family Therapy & Support
Helps family members understand the disorder and develop better
communication skills.
Setting boundaries and practicing healthy conflict resolution is key.
TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Thank
You