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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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What Really Causes Personality Disorders?

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Dr. Vimal KumarPsychiatrist • 45 Years Exp.MD - Psychiatry, MBBS
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What really causes personality disorders?

Personality disorders (pd) are anomalies in behavioral patterns of an individual that are characterized by impairments in personal and interpersonal functioning. These are maladaptive psychological conditions that can be mild or intense and can affect a person's relations with others. These are not triggered by the external factors but are inherent abnormalities of behavior and conduct.

The human psyche is a vast and complex field of study which is so diverse that no two cases of psychological dysfunction are the exact same. Personality disorders are of numerous types, each having a different set of causes and traits.

Broadly speaking, they can be classified into three extensive 'clusters' or categories.

Cluster a includes odd or eccentric disorders like paranoid pd,

Cluster b includes dramatic or erratic disorders such as antisocial pd, and

Cluster c includes fearful and anxious disorders like avoidant pd.

Personality disorders are caused by a wide range of factors which impact each individual in a different manner. The most basic and common causes of pd are as follows:

In most cases, abuse occurs during childhood and the pd takes manifestation in the teenage and adult years. A combination of multiple factors gives rise to complicated disorders which have more acute symptoms. Accidents and trauma can also give rise to personality disorders later in life.

Counseling and psychological therapy are used to tackle the problem and alleviate symptoms. Each case requires a different kind of approach and sometimes intake of medication is also deemed necessary. Diagnosis is always subjective and takes into account various aspects of the patient's life.

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Related Tip: Did You Know PANIC is One of the 5 ANXIETY Disorders?