PERSONALITY AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS

EVERYONE is unique and this is evident each person’s behaviour; how one talks, their emotions, interactions, and response to life stressors or life in general.

All of these aspects make up an individual’s character and this is known as personality, and for most of us this remains fairly constant. However, some people experience difficulties in the way they feel, think and express themselves, which affects their interactions with other people. When this happens, a disorder develops.

Personality disorders are mental illnesses that affect the way an individual behaves, their mood, and their ability to function and relate well with others or their environment and this ends up affecting their well-being. Personality disorders are complex and what causes them isn’t fully known. However, research has shown that the development of personality disorders is due to a contribution of different factors such as childhood trauma, abuse, genetics, and upbringing just to mention a few. This does not mean that everyone who has experienced trauma or abuse will develop a personality disorder; just that it increases the likelihood of developing one.

There are three classes of personality disorders: (i) Eccentric behaviour, (ii) dramatic and emotional behaviours, and (iii) anxious/fearful behaviours.

Eccentric behaviours

People with this type of disorder display ‘odd’ behaviours and disorders that fall here are paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.

Dramatic behaviours

This disorder is associated with dramatic, erratic, and overly emotional thoughts and behaviours: Disorders in this cluster/category are antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.

Anxious/fearful behaviours

People with this type of personality disorder tend to be fearful, worried and nervous. The disorders in this category are avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Personality Disorders and Substance Use

Research shows that 50% of people with personality disorders also have a substance use disorder. Some personality disorders are more highly correlated to substance use disorders where up to 70% of people with borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder have co-occurring disorders. The onset of personality disorders typically begins during adolescence or early adulthood. When a personality disorder and addiction co-occur, the personality disorder is generally diagnosed first because people often use drugs or alcohol to treat the symptoms of their mental health condition. In some cases, the addiction is diagnosed before the personality disorder. Over time, self-medicating to treat symptoms of a personality disorder can lead to addiction. Once an addiction develops and drug abuse worsens, the severity of an individual’s personality disorder can also increase.

Using alcohol or other substances often seems as the only way to cope with pain or feelings of isolation from others. Substance use on its own increases the risk of suicide ideation; combined with personality disorders, the risk increases significantly so it is important to seek help for both personality and substance use disorders.

BOSASNET offers counselling services to people experiencing problems with substance use, depression, anxiety, stress, anger management and adjustment issues. If you think that you might have a problem mentioned above, or if you have a friend or family member who does, we encourage you to seek help. For some, it can mean the difference between life and death. You can find BOSASNET on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok or call us on 3959119 or 72659891 for more information.