1509 Personality Disorders

Now that over half of young women have or have had a clinically-diagnosed mental health issue, it’s important to know the acronyms of the most common ones. The first 4 are from “Cluster B,” characterized by dramatic, impulsive, self-destructive, emotional behavior and incomprehensible interactions with others. HPD Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of excessive attention-seeking behaviors, usually beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, including inappropriate seduction and an excessive desire for approval. They are lively, dramatic, vivacious, enthusiastic, extroverted, and flirtatious. BPD Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive, long-term pattern of significant interpersonal relationship instability, an acute fear of abandonment, and intense emotional outbursts. They frequently exhibit self-harming behaviors and engage in risky activities, primarily due to challenges regulating their emotions. NPD Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a life-long pattern of exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a diminished ability to empathize with other people's feelings. They are extremely Machiavellian in their attitudes, and are controlling and manipulative. APD Antisocial personality disorder is defined by a chronic pattern of behavior that disregards the rights and well-being of others. They exhibit behavior that conflicts with social norms, leading to issues with interpersonal relationships, employment, and legal matters. The condition generally manifests in childhood or early adolescence, with a high rate of associated conduct problems and a tendency for symptoms to peak in late adolescence and early adulthood. APD (from “Cluster C”) Avoidant, or anxious, personality disorder is characterized by excessive social anxiety and inhibition, fear of intimacy, severe feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, and an over-reliance on avoidance of feared stimuli as a coping method. They display a pattern of extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation and rejection, a belief that one is socially inept or personally unappealing to others, and avoidance of social interaction despite a strong desire for it. All of these personality disorders are relatively common. It can be entertaining to try and diagnose them yourself when confronted by someone who is afflicted.