What Is a Personality Disorder?

Your personality is one of the things that makes you unique. It’s the ongoing pattern of how you think about yourself, how you relate to others, and how you interact with the world around you. 

Your personality tends to stay somewhat the same no matter where you are — or the type of situation and environment. 

Everyone’s personality can get them in trouble from time to time. But in some cases, people have personality traits that cause major problems in their personal and professional lives — to the point where they have trouble functioning in their daily lives. 

When this happens, it could be the sign of a mental health condition called a “personality disorder.” A personality disorder (PD) is a psychiatric disorder. And just like other psychiatric disorders, PDs have specific diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatments. 

Read on for more information about what personality disorders are, the 10 types of PDs, and treatments for PDs. 

What is a personality disorder? 

A personality disorder is an ongoing pattern of dysfunction in how you think about yourself and your world as well as how you interact with other people and your environment. 

There are 10 different types of PDs, each with their own unique thought and behavior patterns (see below). Depending on the PD you have, these patterns can show up in many different ways. 

General clues that someone might have a personality disorder include: 

• Frequent mood swings

• Angry outbursts

• Problems making (and keeping) friends

• A need to always be the center of attention

• Poor impulse control

• Not feeling like there’s anything wrong with their behavior

• Blaming other people, or the world around them, for their behaviors and feelings

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Could You Be Experiencing Maladaptive Daydreams?

9 Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

View more

While it’s normal to experience some of these things once in a while, people with PDs think and behave this way almost all of the time — to the point where they have problems handling relationships, achieving personal goals, or even participating in society. 

What causes personality disorders?

We don’t know for sure. Like some other mental illnesses, the cause of PDs is probably a combination of your genes (family history) and life experiences. 

There’s also evidence that experiencing childhood trauma or abuse could increase your risk of developing certain PDs. 

The 10 types of personality disorders

There are 10 different types of personality disorders. All 10 have these things in common:

• Ongoing patterns in how you think 

• Ongoing patterns in how you behave 

To be diagnosed with a PD, these patterns need to show up consistently in two or more of the following areas:

• How you think about yourself, other people, events, and the world around you

• How you react emotionally to different situations

• How you relate to other people

• How well you’re able to control your behavior

These patterns must also: 

• Be noticeably different from how most people think and behave in your culture

• Have been around for a long time — at least since you were a teenager or young adult

• Make it hard for you to function in society

• Not be caused by another mental health condition, including substance use

• Not be caused by a medical condition

In addition, each of the 10 different types of personality disorders has its own unique patterns:

1. Antisocial personality disorder 

People with antisocial personality disorder disregard or violate other people’s rights. They don’t have much interest in what’s morally “right or wrong.” They frequently engage in reckless, illegal, or irresponsible behavior — but don’t feel any remorse. People might see them as “detached” or “lacking a conscience.”

2. Avoidant personality disorder 

People with avoidant personality disorder are extremely shy and hypersensitive to what other people think. They feel uncomfortable in situations where they have to be around others. They worry that other people will criticize or reject them — or that they will embarrass themselves. Others might see them as “painfully shy” or “insecure.”

3. Borderline personality disorder 

People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have a history of problems with relationships and often have trouble controlling their behavior. They are frequently overwhelmed by their emotions and tend to experience the world as either “all good” or “all bad.” They’re afraid other people will abandon or forget them. Others may describe them as “overemotional” or “unpredictable.” (Keep in mind that BPD is not the same as bipolar disorder.) 

4. Dependent personality disorder 

People with dependent personality disorder feel uncomfortable or helpless when they’re alone. They have a hard time making decisions without a lot of support, and they need other people to help manage their responsibilities. They worry that they can’t take care of themselves. Other people may see them as “clingy” or “needy.”

5. Histrionic personality disorder 

People with histrionic personality disorder have a lot of emotional ups and downs. They feel uncomfortable when they’re not the center of things, and they may use sexual or provocative behavior to get people’s attention. Other people might see them as “dramatic” or “theatrical.” 

6. Narcissistic personality disorder 

People with narcissistic personality disorder feel entitled to special treatment in life and expect other people to admire and appreciate them. They are preoccupied with their own self-importance, to the point where they have a hard time recognizing other people’s needs. Others might see them as “arrogant” or “self-absorbed.”

7. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) are preoccupied with order, perfectionism, and control. They have a hard time getting things done because the results have to be perfect. Even though they work hard, they don’t usually feel satisfied with their accomplishments. Other people see them as “type A” or a “perfectionist.” (Keep in mind that OCPD is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder). 

8. Paranoid personality disorder 

People with paranoid personality disorder distrust others and feel certain that people are conspiring against them. They might interpret other people’s behavior as deceitful, threatening, or condescending. Others see them as “suspicious” or “guarded.”

9. Schizoid personality disorder 

People with schizoid personality disorder have no interest in close relationships with other people. They prefer to be alone and don’t care much what other people think about them. Other people might see them as “distant” or as a “loner.”

10. Schizotypal personality disorder 

People with schizotypal personality disorder have a lot of odd or magical beliefs. They might dress, speak, or act in an eccentric way — to the point where they have a hard time being at ease around other people. Others may see them as “strange” or “eccentric.”

How can I tell if I have a personality disorder?

It can be hard to tell if you have a personality disorder. 

If you have ongoing thoughts and behaviors that cause significant problems in your life, it could be helpful to check in with a healthcare provider. 

Your provider can help you understand whether you have a PD — or whether you might have a different mental or physical health condition.

How are personality disorders treated?

There’s no cure for personality disorders — but there are treatments that can help. 

Personality disorders can be treated with therapy. Certain types of therapy are especially helpful — like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Some people also find it’s helpful to connect with a peer group or supportive community.

Medication can’t cure or directly treat PDs. But doctors sometimes use medications to help with certain PD symptoms, like anxiety or mood swings. 

Medications can be especially helpful if a person also has another mental health condition, like depression or anxiety. Examples of medications providers recommend for someone with a PD might include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and atypical antipsychotics. 

What to do if a friend or family member has a personality disorder

It can be challenging to have a friend or family member with a PD. Their behavior can have a significant impact on your life, mental health, and even your physical safety. 

For many people, having a friend or family member with a PD can lead to feelings of fear, obligation, and guilt (“FOG”). You may even feel like you have to “walk on eggshells” all the time.   

It can be especially challenging because many people with PDs aren’t diagnosed. They may not even understand that they have a PD. 

If you believe someone in your life might have a PD, start by educating yourself about PDs. It’s also important to get support for yourself — either through a peer community, by working with a therapist, or reaching out to your friends and family. 

The website Out of the FOG is a great place to start. They have helpful tools that you can begin using immediately, as well as a large community forum where you can connect with other people in a similar situation. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts