Personality Blog

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is the 8th personality disorder in our series. You don’t want to miss any of them. People with OCPD have impossibly high standards for themselves and others. Personal relationships are a challenge for them because of their tendency to be critical of others who do not share their inflexible standards. They are convinced of the rightness of their beliefs, therefore they can be contentious. There are few gray areas as far as OCPD individuals are concerned. They perceive everything as …

Individuals who are diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD) are frequently diagnosed with Dependent Personality Disorder too. They can become very dependent on the few people in their support system. Only 0.5% to 1.0% of the general population is likely to receive this diagnosis. This is another of the personality disorders that may become less evident with age.

These individuals may respond well to anti-depressants (when indicated) and psychotherapy. Both Social Phobia and Avoidant Personality Disorder are very treatable, my advice to individuals who have …

Narcissists are found at all economic levels and in many and diverse careers. Naturally, politics, acting, recording, higher education and religion have a ready audience to admire and pamper them. Though, physicians, teachers, attorneys and executives are not without their Narcissists, in fact, these careers could lure an individual with an overachieving ego. Narcissists can have a wonderful façade, much like the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. He was just a lonely little man behind a curtain …

The 4th article and quiz in our series on the Personality Disorders focuses on Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD). We don’t know what causes the disorder, though we must assume that both genetics and environmental factors are involved. As with individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder it is challenging to treat these solitary individuals. They may consider therapy either intrusive or threatening - or both. Some therapeutic techniques and medications have proved to be beneficial in treating some of the symptoms associated with this disorder. …

Two percent of the population, more women than men, suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Even mental health professionals are challenged in attempting to help these emotional individuals while maintaining their professional detachment and compassionate manner. Also, individuals who have been abused sometimes present with similar symptoms and their symptomology may be due to a trauma reaction or even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

People with BPD are likely to have highly unstable patterns of social relationships. They may develop very passionate but unstable attachments; their …