Personality Disorders: Types, Symptoms & Treatment Guide
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
TL;DR
Personality disorders are mental health conditions in which a person has a lifelong pattern of seeing themselves and reacting to others in ways that cause problems. People often have a hard time understanding emotions and tolerating distress, and they may act impulsively, which makes it difficult to relate to others and affects family life, social activities, work and school performance, and overall quality of life. There are 10 recognized types, organized into three clusters: Cluster A (suspicious or detached thinking — paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal), Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or unpredictable — borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial), and Cluster C (anxious thinking and behavior — avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive). The main treatment is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a form of talk therapy; medicines may help specific symptoms, though none are approved specifically for these disorders. Some people may not know they have a personality disorder, because how they think and behave feels natural — which makes seeing a mental health professional the key first step.
Quick Answer: What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are mental health conditions with a lifelong pattern of thinking, feeling, and reacting that causes problems in relationships, work, and daily life.
There are 10 recognized types, grouped into 3 clusters based on shared patterns: Cluster A (suspicious/detached), Cluster B (dramatic/emotional), Cluster C (anxious).
Personality forms early in life from a blend of genes (temperament) and environment (life events, relationships, and experiences).
In some cases, people do not realize they have a personality disorder — their way of thinking and behaving seems natural to them.
The main treatment is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a talk therapy that typically involves weekly sessions for about a year.
No medicines are approved specifically for personality disorders, but antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medicines may help specific symptoms.
Untreated personality disorders can cause serious relationship and mood problems, social isolation, addiction, and occupational or legal issues.
What Is a Personality Disorder?
Everyone has a unique personality made up of a complex combination of traits. Personality traits affect how people understand and relate to the world around them, and how they see themselves. Ideally, these traits allow people to flexibly adapt to a changing environment, leading to healthier relationships and better coping strategies.
When personality traits are less adaptive, they lead to inflexibility and unhealthy coping. A person may manage stress by drinking or misusing drugs, have a hard time managing anger, or find it hard to trust and connect with others.
Personality disorder: a mental health condition in which people have a lifelong pattern of seeing themselves and reacting to others in ways that cause problems.
Three features commonly appear. People with personality disorders often have a hard time understanding emotions and tolerating distress, and they act impulsively. These patterns make it hard to relate to others and cause serious issues that affect family life, social activities, work and school performance, and overall quality of life.
Personality forms early in life, shaped through a blend of:
Shaping factor | How it works |
Genes | Parents may pass down some personality traits, sometimes called temperament |
Environment | Surroundings, events that have happened, and relationship and interaction patterns with family members and others |
The 10 Personality Disorders in 3 Clusters
There are many types of personality disorders, each with important differences. These disorders are organized into three groups, or clusters, based on shared features and symptoms. An important note: in some cases, you may not know you have a personality disorder, because how you think and behave seems natural to you. You also may think others are responsible for your challenges.
Cluster A: Suspicious or Detached Thinking
Group A personality disorders follow a dysfunctional pattern of thinking and behavior reflecting suspicion or lack of interest in others.
Disorder | Core features |
Paranoid | Lacks trust and is suspicious of others and their motives; believes others are trying to do harm with no reason; doubts the loyalty of others; hesitates to confide for fear the information will be used against them; takes innocent remarks as insults; holds grudges; often suspects a spouse or partner is unfaithful without reason |
Schizoid | Appears cold or uninterested in others; almost always chooses to be alone; limited emotional expression; cannot take pleasure in most activities; cannot pick up typical social cues; little or no interest in sexual relationships |
Schizotypal | Unusual thinking, beliefs, speech, or behavior; feels or thinks strange things, such as hearing a voice whisper their name; flat or socially unusual emotional responses; social anxiety and discomfort with close relationships; "magical thinking" (belief that thoughts can affect people and events); believes casual events carry hidden messages |
Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Unpredictable Behavior
Group B personality disorders follow a dysfunctional pattern of dramatic, overly emotional thinking or unpredictable behavior.
Disorder | Core features |
Borderline | Strong fear of being alone or abandoned; ongoing feelings of emptiness; sees self as unstable or weak; unstable deep relationships; up-and-down moods often tied to interpersonal stress; threatens self-harm or behaviors that could lead to suicide; often very angry; impulsive, risky behavior (unsafe sex, gambling, binge eating); stress-related paranoia that comes and goes |
Histrionic | Always seeks attention; overly emotional or dramatic, or stirs up sexual feelings to get attention; speaks dramatically with strong opinions but few facts; easily led by others; shallow emotions that change quickly; very concerned with physical appearance; thinks relationships are closer than they are |
Narcissistic | Believes they are special and more important than others; fantasies about power, success, and attractiveness; does not understand the needs and feelings of others; stretches the truth about achievements; expects constant praise and admiration; feels superior and brags; expects favors without reason; often takes advantage of others; jealous of others or believes others are jealous of them |
Antisocial | Little or no concern for the needs or feelings of others; lies, steals, uses false names, and cons others; repeated run-ins with the law; often violates the rights of others; aggressive and often violent; little concern for personal safety or the safety of others; impulsive and often reckless; little or no regret for how their behavior affects others |
Cluster C: Anxious Thinking and Behavior
Group C personality disorders follow a dysfunctional pattern of anxious thinking or behavior.
Disorder | Core features |
Avoidant | Very sensitive to criticism or rejection; does not feel good enough, important, or attractive; avoids work activities with contact with others; isolated; does not try new activities or meet new people; extremely shy; fears disapproval, embarrassment, or being made fun of |
Dependent | Relies on others too much and feels the need to be taken care of; submissive or clingy; fears having to care for self if left alone; lacks confidence in abilities; needs lots of advice and comforting even for small decisions; finds it hard to disagree with others; endures poor treatment or abuse even when other options exist; feels an urgent need for a new relationship when one ends |
Obsessive-compulsive (OCPD) | Focuses too much on details, orderliness, and rules; insists everything must be perfect and gets upset when it is not; cannot finish projects because perfection is not possible; needs control of people, tasks, and situations; cannot delegate; ignores friends and enjoyable activities for work; cannot throw away broken or worthless objects; rigid, stubborn, and inflexible about values; holds tight control over budgeting and spending |
One clarification matters here. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is an anxiety disorder.
Finally, overlap is common. Many people with one type of personality disorder also have symptoms of at least one other type, and the number of symptoms a person has may vary.
What Causes Personality Disorders?
It is believed that personality disorders are caused by a blend of genetics and environment. Your genes may make it more likely that you develop a personality disorder, and what happens to you in life may set a personality disorder into motion. The specific causes of personality disorders are not known, but several factors appear to increase risk:
Risk factor | Details |
Specific personality traits | Includes always trying to stay away from harm, or the opposite — a strong need to seek out adrenaline-pumping activities; also includes poor impulse control |
Early life experiences | Includes a home environment that is not stable, predictable, or supportive; also includes a history of trauma — physical neglect or abuse, emotional neglect or abuse, or sexual abuse |
What Happens If Personality Disorders Go Untreated?
Personality disorders can seriously disrupt your life and the lives of those who care about you. Possible complications include:
Complication area | Impact |
Relationships and mood | Serious issues in relationships; ongoing mood problems |
Social life | Social isolation |
Mental health | Other mental health issues, with addictions |
Work and school | Occupational and legal issues |
If you have any symptoms of a personality disorder, see your doctor or a mental health professional. When personality disorders are not treated, they can cause serious issues in relationships and mood, and the ability to function and pursue personal goals may get worse without treatment.
How Are Personality Disorders Diagnosed?
Finding out if you have a personality disorder may involve several steps:
Diagnostic step | What happens |
Physical exam | Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health; in some cases, symptoms are linked to an underlying physical concern. The evaluation may include lab tests and a screening test for alcohol and drugs. |
Mental health evaluation | A referral to a mental health professional. The evaluation includes a discussion of your thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and may include a questionnaire to help pinpoint a diagnosis. With your permission, information from family members or others may help. |
Comparison to standard guidelines | Your mental health professional may compare your symptoms to the guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), published by the American Psychiatric Association. |
Neuropsychological testing | A referral to a neuropsychologist or clinical psychologist for personality or cognitive testing, to better understand how you see and interpret the world around you. |
Diagnosis takes care and patience. Sometimes it is hard to identify the type because there is a lot of overlap between personality disorders. Other mental health conditions — such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, or substance abuse — may make it harder to know which disorder a person has, or whether they have one at all. It is worth the time and effort to get a correct diagnosis so that you get the proper treatment.
How Are Personality Disorders Treated?
The best treatment depends on your personality disorder, how serious it is, and your life situation. Often, a team approach is needed to meet your mental, medical, and social needs, and you may need to be treated for months or years. Your team may include your doctor plus a psychiatrist, a psychologist or other therapist, a psychiatric nurse, a pharmacist, and a social worker.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) — a form of psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy — is the main way to treat personality disorders. DBT focuses on treating dangerous behavior, including behavior that can lead to suicide, as well as behavior that can get in the way of treatment or affect quality of life.
DBT feature | What it looks like |
Session format | Weekly one-on-one sessions with a therapist; treatment can last for about a year |
Therapist support | Therapists attend regular consultation groups; they are also available by phone or other means to coach you in applying treatment in real life |
Core skill modules | Controlling your emotions; handling distress; practicing mindfulness; effectively relating with other people |
Who it helps | Shown to be effective for adolescents and adults — working with a DBT-certified group is essential |
Medicines
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medicines to treat personality disorders specifically. However, several types of psychiatric medicines may help with symptoms:
Medicine type | May help when symptoms include | Important caution |
Antidepressants | Depression, anger, impulsivity, irritability, or hopelessness | None of these medicines are approved specifically for personality disorders |
Mood stabilizers | Mood swings, irritability, impulsivity, and aggression | None approved specifically for personality disorders |
Antipsychotics (neuroleptics) | Losing touch with reality (psychosis); some anxiety or anger issues | None approved specifically for personality disorders |
Anti-anxiety medicines | Anxiety, agitation, or inability to sleep | In some cases, they can make you more impulsive — they are not used with some types of personality disorders |
Hospital and Residential Treatment
In some cases, a personality disorder may be so serious that you need to stay in a hospital for mental health care. This is generally recommended only when you cannot care for yourself properly, or when you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else. After you become stable in the hospital, your mental health professional may recommend a day hospital program, a residential program, or outpatient treatment.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies: What Helps Day to Day
Along with your treatment plan, these steps support long-term recovery:
Self-care step | Why it matters |
Take part in your care | Do not skip therapy sessions, even if you do not feel like going. Therapy can take 6 to 12 months. Think about your goals and work toward achieving them. |
Take medicines as directed | Even if you feel well, do not skip medicines. If you stop, symptoms may come back, and stopping too quickly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms. |
Learn about your condition | Knowing more motivates you to follow your treatment plan. |
Get active | Physical activity can help manage depression, stress, and anxiety. Walk, jog, swim, garden — or take up an activity you enjoy. |
Stay away from drugs and alcohol | Alcohol and street drugs can make symptoms worse or affect how a medicine works. |
Get routine medical care | Do not ignore checkups, especially if you are not feeling well — you may have a new health concern or be feeling medicine side effects. |
Coping and Support
Having a personality disorder makes it hard to take the actions that may help you feel better. Doctors and mental health professionals can help you learn better coping skills and get the support you need.
If your loved one has a personality disorder, work with their mental health professional to find out how you can offer support and encouragement. You may also benefit from talking with a mental health professional about your own worries. A professional can help you set limits and learn ways to care for yourself so that you can enjoy life more.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Because personality disorders often need care from a specialist, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Taking a family member or friend along can help you remember something you might have missed or forgotten.
What You Can Do
Prepare for your appointment by making a list of your symptoms (including any that may not seem related to the reason for the appointment), key personal information (including major stresses or recent life changes), all medicines (including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal preparations, or other supplements — and their doses), and questions to ask.
Basic questions to ask your healthcare professional:
Question | What it clarifies |
What type of personality disorder do I have? | Your specific diagnosis |
How do you treat my type of personality disorder? | The treatment approach |
Will talk therapy help? | The role of psychotherapy |
Can medicines help? | Whether medication is appropriate |
How long will I need to take medicine? | Medication duration |
What are the major side effects of the medicines you recommend? | Medication risks |
How long will treatment take? | The expected timeline |
What can I do to help myself? | Your role in recovery |
Are there brochures or recommended websites? | Reliable resources |
What to Expect From Your Doctor
During your appointment, your doctor or mental health professional will likely ask questions about your mood, thoughts, behavior, and urges:
Question you may be asked | Why they ask |
What symptoms have you or others noticed? | To map your symptom picture |
When did you or they first notice symptoms? | To establish the timeline |
How do your symptoms affect your daily life? | To gauge impact |
What other treatment, if any, have you had? | To build on prior care |
What have you tried on your own? | To understand self-management attempts |
What things make you feel worse? | To identify triggers |
Have family or friends commented on your mood or behavior? | To gather outside perspective |
Have any relatives had mental health conditions? | To assess family history |
What do you hope to gain from treatment? | To align goals |
What medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements do you take? | To check for interactions |
Do not hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.
Conclusion
Personality disorders are mental health conditions marked by a lifelong pattern of seeing yourself and reacting to others in ways that cause problems — often driven by difficulty understanding emotions, tolerating distress, and acting impulsively. Ten recognized types fall into three clusters: Cluster A disorders (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal) reflect suspicious or detached thinking; Cluster B disorders (borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial) follow dramatic, emotional, or unpredictable patterns; and Cluster C disorders (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) center on anxious thinking and behavior. These patterns form early in life through a blend of genes and environment, and some people do not realize they have a personality disorder because their way of thinking feels natural.
The good news is that effective care exists. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) — weekly talk therapy often lasting about a year — is the main treatment, and medicines such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics may help specific symptoms even though none are approved specifically for personality disorders. Day-to-day self-care, from attending therapy consistently and taking medicines as directed to staying active and avoiding alcohol and drugs, supports long-term recovery. If you recognize these patterns in yourself or a loved one, seeing a mental health professional is the most important first step: a correct diagnosis opens the door to proper treatment, and untreated personality disorders only tend to worsen over time.
If any of these patterns sound familiar — or if someone you love is struggling — reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 personality disorders?
The 10 recognized types are paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. They are grouped into three clusters: A (suspicious or detached), B (dramatic or emotional), and C (anxious).
How do you know if you have a personality disorder?
Personality disorders involve a lifelong pattern of seeing yourself and reacting to others in ways that cause problems in relationships, work, and daily life. Because the patterns can feel natural to you, only a mental health professional — using a full evaluation and comparison to standard diagnostic guidelines — can make the diagnosis.
What causes personality disorders?
They are believed to be caused by a blend of genetics and environment. Genes (temperament passed down from parents) may increase likelihood, while life events — such as an unstable home environment or a history of trauma including neglect or abuse — may set a disorder into motion.
What is the difference between Cluster A, B, and C personality disorders?
Cluster A disorders involve suspicious or detached thinking (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal). Cluster B disorders involve dramatic, emotional, or unpredictable behavior (borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial). Cluster C disorders involve anxious thinking and behavior (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive).
Can personality disorders be treated?
Yes. The main treatment is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a talk therapy with weekly sessions that can last about a year. Medicines may also help specific symptoms. Treatment may take months or years, and a team approach is often needed.
What is the difference between OCPD and OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a personality disorder focused on order, perfection, and control of people and situations. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder. They are not the same condition.
Are there medicines for personality disorders?
No medicines are approved specifically for personality disorders. However, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medicines may help specific symptoms such as depression, mood swings, losing touch with reality, or anxiety — though anti-anxiety medicines can increase impulsivity in some cases.
What happens if a personality disorder is not treated?
Untreated personality disorders can cause serious relationship and mood problems, social isolation, other mental health issues including addiction, and occupational and legal problems. The ability to function and pursue personal goals may worsen over time.
How can I support a loved one with a personality disorder?
Work with their mental health professional to learn how to offer support and encouragement. You may also benefit from talking with a professional about your own worries, setting limits, and learning self-care so that you can enjoy life more.
Sources
Personality disorders — Symptoms & Causes. Clinical reference page, dated July 14, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463
Personality disorders — Diagnosis & Treatment. Clinical reference page, dated July 14, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354468
This article is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medical condition. If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else, seek emergency care right away.
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