Guide To The Major Types Of Personality Disorders

Dependent Personality Disorder

Dependent personality disorder is an extremely anxious one. Patients with this condition exhibit an inability to be left alone. If they are alone, they will display significant anxiety, distress, panic attacks, and hopelessness. Other symptoms include an intense fear of rejection, increased sensitivity to criticism, and a fear of being abandoned. Patients will also display a significant reliance on others for decisions, need for constant reassurance, and submissive behavior.

The cause of dependent personality disorder, unfortunately, is unclear. However, many experts claim that developmental and biological factors are involved. Some risk factors for its development include having overprotective parents, neglectful parents, and abusive relationships. A family history of anxiety disorders can increase the risk of an individual developing it as well. Patients benefit from psychotherapy as a short-term treatment. It must be short-term. Otherwise, there is a risk of the patient becoming dependent on their therapist. Medication may also help. However, it is a last-resort treatment.

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Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder is on the spectrum that includes schizophrenia. However, patients with this condition do not typically experience psychosis. Instead, this personality disorder involves paranoia, derealization, eccentricity, and a lack of close personal relationships. Symptoms include excessive social anxiety, flat emotions, lacking close friends outside immediate family, and suspicious thoughts and doubts about others and their loyalty. Patients often display peculiar mannerisms, thinking, or beliefs, and may believe in special powers as well. They may dress in a strange way and speak in vague or unusual ways.

Unfortunately, the cause of this condition is not known. However, many professionals believe that genetics, environmental factors, and learned behaviors are all significant factors in its development. Another factor is shifts in how an individual's brain functions. Individuals are also at a greater risk of this condition if they have relatives with schizophrenia or a similar disorder. This condition has many potential complications, including depression, anxiety, and the development of schizophrenia. Treatment often includes therapy. Patients may also receive medication to relieve some symptoms.