List of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders remain in many ways a mystery. They are frequently misunderstood and often thrown around as armchair diagnoses, without a real understanding of what they are what their symptoms are.The following is a list of personality disorders, in entirety with a brief overview of each. Before getting into the specific list of personality disorders, however, there is an overview of what personality disorders are and what we know about them at this point.

What Are Personality Disorders?

A personality disorder is a serious mental health disorder characterized by inflexible and unhealthy ways of thinking, behaving and relating to others. Someone with an untreated personality disorder often has functional impairments in relationships, and at school or work, as well as in general social situations.

Personality disorders are difficult to diagnose and treat because it seems normal to the person who has the disorder. They don’t see their behavior or emotions as problematic. Instead, they often see other people as the problem.

If someone is diagnosed with a personality disorder and they receive treatment, it can help improve their functionality and the quality of their relationships.

When looking at a list of personality disorders, you’ll see they’re divided into three categories also known as clusters. Each of the clusters is divided based on the general characteristics of the personality disorders included in the group.

These clusters include:

• Cluster A personality disorders are defined by odd, eccentric behaviors and ways of thinking
• Cluster B disorders are defined by overly dramatic or erratic responses and behaviors
• Cluster C disorders are fearful and anxious in nature

So what is the full list of personality disorders?

Cluster A Personality Disorders

First on the list of personality disorders are cluster A disorders. Cluster A disorders are defined by strange behaviors or thinking that are outside of cultural norms.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Paranoid personality disorder is one in which the affected person has an ongoing sense of distrust and suspicion for other people. Paranoid personality disorder includes the perception of innocent behaviors or remarks as something insulting or as a personal attack.

This disorder on the list of personality disorders is also defined by the belief that other people are trying to harm you or deceive you, but this isn’t rooted in reality. Other signs of paranoid personality disorder include holding grudges and unjustifiably hostile reactions.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Next on the list of personality disorders is schizoid disorder. Schizoid personality disorder causes someone to appear as being indifferent or cold. A person with this disorder won’t have interest in having relationships or sexual interactions with another person.

Other signs of schizoid personality disorder include a preference for being alone, a lack of emotional expression and problems recognizing social cues.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Next on this list of personality disorders that fall into cluster A is schizotypal personality disorder, which is relatively rare. Signs of this disorder include strange ways of thinking, speaking and behaving. Someone with schizotypal personality disorder may hear voices or have other perceptual experiences. Their emotions may seem flat, and they have a sense of discomfort about close relationships with other people.

So-called magical thinking is also a symptom of schizotypal personality disorder. This means someone with this disorder may think they can influence other people or events using their thoughts.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Cluster B personality disorders are the next grouping on the list of personality disorders. Cluster B disorders are defined by overly-emotional, dramatic and erratic responses and behaviors.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is one of the most troubling on the list of personality disorders. It’s often a term you’ll hear linked to serious criminals and murderers. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for the feelings and needs of other people. Signs include lying, stealing, and conning and manipulating other people.

Someone with antisocial personality disorder will often display behaviors that are aggressive and impulsive, and they won’t have a sense of remorse for the effects of their actions.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most common on the list of personality disorders. Symptoms of this disorder include risky, impulsive behavior such as compulsive gambling or engaging in unsafe sex. Someone with borderline personality disorder may have a poor or delicate self-image and very tumultuous, intense relationships.

Other symptoms of borderline personality disorder are fear of abandonment, a sense of paranoia particularly regarding potential rejection, and frequent displays of intense anger.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is one in which a person may seem extremely dramatic and overly emotional. Someone with histrionic personality disorder will always be seeking attention and may be very sexual or provocative to do so. Histrionic personality disorder symptoms can include being easily influenced, obsessed with appearance and having shallow emotions.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder leads you to feel as if you’re more important or more special than you really are. Someone with narcissistic personality disorder might think they are more intelligent, attractive, or powerful than other people. Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms include the need for constant praise and admiration and a sense of arrogance.

It’s difficult for someone with narcissistic personality disorder to recognize others’ needs, thus leading to serious problems in relationships.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Next on the list of personality disorders are cluster C disorders. Cluster C disorders have a common thread of fear and anxiety.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality disorder is defined by extreme shyness and avoidance of situations that require interpersonal interaction. Someone with avoidant personality disorder will usually isolate themselves because they are incredibly shy and fear embarrassment or disapproval.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Dependent personality disorder occurs when someone depends on the presence of another person to take care of them and make even simple daily decisions for them. Someone with dependent personality disorder may seem outwardly clingy and submissive. There is a fear of taking care of oneself with this disorder.

Someone with dependent personality disorder will have a lack of self-confidence, and there is a constant need to be in a relationship. Sometimes this can lead someone with this disorder to be in abusive or toxic relationships.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Someone with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is obsessed with rules, order, and perfectionism. A person with this disorder will forego relationships to work or do projects, yet they have a hard time finishing them because they strive for perfection. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder can lead someone to want to control situations and other people.

Other signs of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are rigidity, a strict sense of morals and ethics, and tight control of money and spending.