How Many Types Of Personality Disorders Are There?
There are generally 10 diagnosable personality disorders, typically divided into three categories or clusters. Each of these disorders can be characterized by different symptoms and traits. These characteristics can help you recognize personality disorder symptoms in yourself and others, although only licensed mental health professionals can diagnose these disorders. Any personality disorder may result in difficulties living your daily life. If you think you have a personality disorder, it can be vital to ensure you get the help you deserve. Online therapy can be one way to connect with a licensed mental health professional who may help you work through symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Cluster A personality disorders
Cluster A personality disorders often include odd, bizarre, or eccentric traits.
Three disorders generally make up this cluster: paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. Any of these disorders may make the person living with them seem to be a bit of an outcast among their peers, especially if they're experiencing severe symptoms or more than one personality disorder concurrently.
Paranoid personality disorder
Paranoid personality disorder is primarily characterized by extreme distrust for others. This condition may affect a person’s perception of strangers, but it often affects their perception of everyone they interact with, including their friends and family. They may constantly be suspicious of others and generally have an extreme sensitivity to any kind of setback or criticism.
Schizoid personality disorder
An individual with schizoid personality disorder usually has little to no interest in interacting with others. People with this disorder tend to be highly introverted, but unlike many other personality disorders, they tend to be happy being alone and do not generally have feelings of extreme loneliness or depression. They may also have difficulty with emotional responses and tend to feel and act detached from their own lives.
Schizotypal personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder can be slightly different from schizoid personality disorder in that the individual may be out of touch with reality. These individuals may have strange ways of acting, dressing, or speaking and can believe in strange things or magical ideologies. They generally fear interacting with others, often feeling suspicious of others and the potential harm they could cause them.
Cluster B personality disorders (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic)
Cluster B personality disorders are often considered dramatic or erratic. The four disorders in this cluster generally include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder.
People with these conditions may be considered a little different from their peers because they can be perceived as overly dramatic or may seem to jump from one thing to another.
Antisocial personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is generally found in those who completely disregard not only the thoughts and feelings of others, but also the rules and obligations of society, friendship, and family. They may struggle with impulse control and feel little to no sense of guilt. Someone with antisocial personality disorder can form relationships and friendships, but usually does not hide their true nature for long.
Borderline personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder can result in very low self-esteem or sense of worth. Those with BPD generally fear abandonment to the degree that they can form unstable relationships, feel suicidal*, and act out self-harming behaviors. These individuals tend to have low impulse control and intense outbursts of emotion.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.
Histrionic personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder is another condition typically characterized by a low sense of self-worth, but in this disorder, an individual may seek attention from others. They typically do this by acting out in many ways, generally being perceived as overly dramatic, seductive, or highly emotional. They can be extremely sensitive when criticized or rejected.
Narcissistic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder often looks much different than the other disorders in this cluster. An individual with narcissistic personality disorder typically has an overly inflated sense of self-worth and capabilities. These individuals may have a strong need for admiration, similar to histrionic and borderline personality disorders. Like antisocial personality disorder, those with NPD generally lack empathy and tend to exploit others to achieve their goals and desires.
Cluster C personality disorders (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive)
Cluster C disorders typically include anxiety and fear disorders, such as avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. These individuals generally have a fear or anxiety about something in their lives, whether it is other people, order, cleanliness, or something else.
These disorders can occur in multiples, as some fears can lead directly to new fears, potentially resulting in even more difficulty in overcoming the root of the fear. These individuals are likely to know that something is wrong and that they don't want it to continue, but they usually cannot stop the fear and anxiety on their own.
Avoidant personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder usually manifests in a lack of social skills and a fear of the outside world. Those with this disorder generally have difficulty interacting with others because of extreme fear of rejection or embarrassment. They may have problems with anything where approval is not guaranteed and tend to live with other anxiety disorders concurrently.
Dependent personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder can manifest mainly as an excessive lack of confidence. The individual tends to form intense relationships very quickly and become highly dependent on the object of their affection. They often feel incapable of making critical or minor decisions unless someone else tells them what to do or approves. They can be terrified of abandonment and view themselves as inadequate, potentially resulting in them leaving many aspects of their lives to someone else.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is generally not the same thing as obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is typically characterized by an obsession with rules, details, organization, or other aspects of someone’s life. The individual may experience obsessions and compulsions in different ways, but they can take over their life to a degree where they cannot deviate from certain patterns for fear of the terrible things that may happen if they fail to follow their usual procedures.
Diagnosing your type of personality disorders
Diagnosing personality disorders generally starts with a complete physical workup from your doctor. They can determine if a physical problem may be causing your symptoms. Your doctor may also look at any medications that could be causing side effects and evaluate any symptoms you’re experiencing to determine a diagnosis. It can be important to note that symptoms are usually only considered indicative of a personality disorder if they interfere with the daily life of the individual and are an enduring part of their life.
Taken individually, these symptoms may appear in just about anyone. When these symptoms continue for an extended period or take over someone’s life, they can be a stronger indicator of a more severe problem. For example, those with schizoid personality disorder tend to prefer being alone to being with others. This trait can be so common that most people experience it from time to time, but most people prefer to be alone for only short periods. Similarly, those with histrionic personality disorder tend to feel uncomfortable if they're not the center of attention. Anyone may want attention at some point, but it’s not usually a persistent need in their life.
Help is available for personality disorders
There can be a stigma around personality disorders due to a general lack of understanding and some not-so-helpful media portrayals. You deserve to live a more balanced, healthy life regardless of your symptoms or diagnosis.
Seeking out therapy can seem like a challenge, but it may alleviate the symptoms you’re facing and help you find clarity.
How online therapy can help
If you are experiencing the symptoms of any of these personality disorders or know someone who is, online therapy can be a great way to start improving your quality of life. By being paired with a licensed therapist who meets your needs and preferences, you can find someone whose style and schedule work with yours. With online therapy, you can get started in as little as 48 hours by attending sessions from the comfort of your own home, which can make it more comfortable to discuss potentially vulnerable topics.
A 2022 scoping review investigated the potential efficacy of online therapy for personality disorders. It stated, “This scoping review found that internet interventions for PD are still under-researched, although initial outcomes show promise.” A growing body of evidence suggests that online therapy is usually as effective as in-person therapy.
Takeaway
What are the ten major personality disorders?
The ten major personality disorders are organized into three groups by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders according to their similarities and how their personality traits/symptoms manifest outwardly:
Cluster A Disorders
Some symptoms of cluster A disorders may include inappropriate speech and behaviors, unusual dress, inappropriate affect, paranoia, and delusions. Conditions in this category include:
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Cluster B Disorders
Cluster B disorders include symptoms that can make individuals appear erratic, melodramatic, and highly demonstrative. Cluster B disorders include:
Antisocial personality disorder
People with antisocial personality disorder have a disregard for the rights of others which can be seen through aggression at animals, destruction of properties, reckless behavior, and manipulation of others.
Borderline personality disorder
People with borderline personality disorder show instability in their interpersonal relationships, and self-image which affects their ability to manage emotions, marked impulsivity, and relationships with others.
Histrionic personality disorder
People with histrionic personality disorder have patterns of excessive emotionality & attention-seeking. They may also feel uncomfortable if they’re not the center of attention.
Narcissistic personality disorder
Having NPD means that you have grandiose beliefs and a need for admiration from others. Often, people with NPD also have the lack of empathy
Cluster C disorders
People with these disorders may experience intense fear and anxiety. They may have poor coping strategies for rejection or criticism, a blunted ability to experience pleasure, a fear of disappointing others, and they may avoid activities with a lot of social interaction or where they might meet new people. These include:
Avoidant personality disorder
Pertains to having the characteristics of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy & hypersensitivity to negative evaluation
Dependent personality disorder
People with DPD have the excessive need to be taken care of by their significant person, which often leads to being submissive, and not being able to make their own choices. Aside from that, clingy behavior & fears of separation are also present.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
People with OCPD are preoccupied with maintaining orderliness and perfectionism. They have rigid beliefs to have mental & interpersonal control of themselves, others, and situations.
What are the four types of BPD?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by symptoms that can dramatically affect daily life. While individuals may experience symptoms associated with multiple types of BPD, some may have more dominant traits than others:
Discouraged Borderline Personality Disorder
Also known as quiet BPD, people with this type of borderline personality disorder may have a significant fear of abandonment, and they will likely take drastic action to prevent it— regardless of whether the threat is real or imagined. For example, keeping negative emotions hidden or taking the blame for things they haven't done. People with discouraged BPD may have low self-confidence, are often codependent in relationships, and can appear clingy and needy.
Impulsive Borderline Personality Disorder
People with impulsive BPD often engage in behaviors without regard for consequences. These may include intense aggressive behaviors such as throwing things and physical fights. Some engage in binging behaviors such as binge eating. Others may engage in irresponsible, self-destructive behaviors like excessive consumption of illicit substances or alcohol, driving while under the influence, and illegal behaviors.
Petulant Borderline Personality Disorder
This type of BPD is characterized by severe mood swings-- for example, individuals may seem irritable and defiant, then abruptly change to sad and passive-aggressive. People with petulant BPD are often deeply insecure and feel unworthy in relationships. As a result, they may try to control and manipulate their partner.
Self-Destructive Borderline Personality Disorder
People with this type of borderline personality disorder may have extremely low self-esteem or even self-hatred. These ongoing feelings may result in aggressive mood and behavior. Individuals with self-destructive BPD may engage in self-harm, suicidal ideation, high-risk activities, and excessive substance use.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
What are the top 3 worst types of personality disorders?
There are a couple of ways one can label a personality disorder as among the "worst," and there has been some disagreement among the psychological community about how they should be classified.
From the perspective of friends and loved ones, the worst might apply to how the symptoms affect their close relationships and quality of life. From the standpoint of people with personality disorders, the "worst" may refer to how severely the symptoms affect functioning in daily life. A mental health professional may classify the "worst" as how difficult the disorder is to treat.
While the viewpoint is still somewhat subjective, some personality disorders feature significantly complex traits from any perspective:
Antisocial Personality Disorder— Symptoms feature dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors that often damage relationships due to the individual's disregard for others. Someone with antisocial PD might lie, cheat, and steal without empathy or regret. They may feel superior and entitled to manipulate others for personal gain.
Borderline Personality Disorder— Characterized as an emotionally unstable personality disorder, people with BPD typically experience severe mood fluctuations, self-destructive behavior, and a long-term pattern of severely unstable relationships. It's one of the more anxious personality disorders and can sometimes be misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder— People with this disorder may have grandiose feelings of superiority and arrogance but need constant validation and admiration from others. They may have a lack of self-confidence, making it difficult to accept criticism. This insecurity can result in aggression and anger towards others. Individuals with NPD may be preoccupied with their physical appearance, fame, power, and success— and insist that they can only associate with people who possess them.
What's the rarest personality disorder?
Research on the prevalence of personality disorders is ongoing, and which is the most common can change depending on various factors. It's also important to consider that the statistics represent the disorders that have been diagnosed, and those numbers would likely change when accounting for undiagnosed cases.
Prevalence of the types of personality disorders
The prevalence of specific conditions across the three clusters may match intermittently, so it's perhaps more helpful to think about commonality in terms of cluster prevalence. According to
The World Health Organization:
Cluster A disorders are the most common at an estimated 3.6% of the general population.
Cluster B disorders are the least common, accounting for 1.5% of the population.
Cluster C disorders account for 2.7%
What is the hardest mental illness to live with?
Again, which mental illness is the most difficult to live with is a subjective matter. How one copes with the symptoms and the type of care and support they receive will likely impact their perception.
That said, borderline personality disorder is often mentioned as one of the hardest to live with, as is bipolar disorder. Both have symptoms involving intense emotions that can create severe problems in an individual's daily life, including an inability to acquire and keep stable relationships and employment.
Is ADHD considered a personality disorder?
ADHD is not considered a personality disorder but is classified in the DSM-V as a neurodevelopmental disorder along with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disorders, tic disorders, communication disorders, motor disorders, and intellectual disorders.
What is the most difficult personality disorder to treat?
There are differing opinions on which personality disorder is the most challenging to treat and why, but cluster B disorders seem to be the most widely cited.
Out of the cluster B category, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is among the most difficult because people with this disorder are typically resistant to treatment and don't receive a diagnosis unless they must see a therapist through a court order or some other consequence-driven reason. People with ASPD may disregard societal norms, blame others for their behaviors, and repeatedly break the law. Other mental health problems such as substance use disorder, anxiety, and depression are common co-occurrences with ASPD.
Treatment for antisocial type of personality disorder
Treatment for ASPD often includes individual psychotherapy and medication. Psychologists may include friends and family in the treatment process. Group therapy has proven to be effective, as well. People with this disorder are sometimes combative during the therapeutic process at first, but it is possible to treat it with time.
What is the most well-known personality disorder?
While more current studies are required for an updated estimate, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is one of the most prevalent personality disorders, followed by narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.
What personality disorder has no empathy?
There is more than one personality disorder with symptoms including a lack of empathy for others, including narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), borderline personality disorder BPD, and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Of the three, NPD has been cited as the disorder where lack of empathy is the most prevalent symptom.
What are the seven main mental disorders?
Though there are several more mental disorder categories in the DSM-V, there are seven that are the most well-known and comprehensively studied to determine prevalence.
Anxiety Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Schizophrenia
Eating Disorders
Disruptive Behavior And Dissocial Disorders
- Previous Article
- Next Article