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Personality disorders - what are they and how to recognize them?15 sierpnia 2025 |
Personality disorders are persistent patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that significantly deviate from social norms and impair functioning in relationships and daily life. They are not temporary emotional problems but deeply ingrained traits that shape a person's identity. Common types include borderline, narcissistic, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, and antisocial personality disorders.
The most effective treatment is psychotherapy, particularly long-term therapy, which helps gradually change rigid thought patterns and behavioral habits. Depending on the disorder, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) may be used. In some cases, a psychiatrist may recommend supportive medication, mainly to reduce anxiety or depression symptoms, which often co-occur with personality disorders. Psychoeducation and working on building stable relationships and healthy habits are also essential.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of disorder but often include difficulties maintaining stable relationships, impulsivity, excessive need for control, mood swings, intense fear of rejection, or conversely, lack of empathy and disregard for social norms. Individuals may also experience a chronic sense of emptiness, low self-esteem, and rigid ways of thinking and reacting, leading to recurring conflicts in work and personal life.
Yes, personality disorders are recognized as mental disorders and are classified in international diagnostic systems (ICD-10, ICD-11, and DSM-5). Although they differ from illnesses such as depression or schizophrenia, they require professional diagnosis and often long-term therapy. They are not a sign of "weak character," as some might believe, but the result of complex biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
The key is to offer understanding and patience without judgment or trying to "fix" the person. Support involves encouraging them to seek therapy, helping them find a suitable specialist, and creating a stable and predictable environment. It is also important to set personal boundaries to avoid emotional burnout. Family or group therapy can be helpful in understanding the dynamics of personality disorders and improving relationships.
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