Personality disorders form a class of mental disorders that are characterized by
long-lasting rigid patterns of thought and behavior. Because of the inflexibility and pervasiveness of these patterns, they can cause serious problems and impairment of functioning for the persons who are afflicted with these disorders. People with personality disorder are likely to have experienced great trauma in their childhood, and often have multiple and complex needs because of their difficulties fitting in with ordinary life and expectations. They may also have other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders, eating disorders, self-harm, substance misuse, and bipolar disorder. There are several different types of personality disorders, which are categorized under three main clusters: Cluster A: They have Suspicious, odd and aloof features. They are paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder. Persons with paranoid personality are characterized by long standing suspiciousness and mistrust of people in general. Schizoid personality is diagnosed in patients who display a lifelong pattern of social withdrawal. Person with schizotypal personality are strikingly odd or strange even to laypersons. Cluster B: They have dramatic, impulsive and erratic features. They are anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. Antisocial personality disorder is unable to conform to the social norm that normally governs many aspects of an adolescent or adult behavior. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by extremely unstable affect, mood, behavior and self-image. Person with histrionic personality tend to be excitable and emotional. They behave in a dramatic, colorful and extroverted fashion. Narcissistic personality tend to have high sense of self importance and grandiose feelings of uniqueness. Cluster C: They share anxious and fearful features. They are avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. Avoidant personality is characterized by extreme sensitivity to rejection and may lead a life of social withdrawal. They are commonly described to have inferiority complex. Dependent personality is characterized by a pervasive pattern of dependent and submissive behavior. Obsessive compulsive disorder is
characterized by emotional constriction, orderliness, perseverance, stubbornness
and indecisiveness. Personality disorders tend to be an integral part of a person, and therefore, are difficult to treat or "cure." Psychodynamic treatment emphasizes personality structure and development. It aims to help people understand their feelings and to find better coping mechanisms. Cognitive and behavioral therapies such as cognitive therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive analytic therapy can also be helpful. Most cognitive behavioral approaches address specific aspects of thoughts, feelings, behavior or attitude, and do not claim to treat the entire personality disorder of the person.