Discussion

Definition
Let us first clarify that it is the personality disorder that can be treated. As defined by the American
Psychological Association (2019), "personality is the manner of thinking, feeling and behaving that keeps
an individual unique. It is influenced by experiences, environment (surroundings, life situations), and
inherited characteristics. A person's personality typically stays the same over time. Also, a personality
disorder is a way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture,
causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time".
The educators or teachers are often the first to assess or notice the personality disorders of the students.
A knowledge of personality styles that people exhibited as personality disorders should be clearly
understood not only as part of personal health but also to understand others.

Areas of Personality Disorders

As seen in figure 18, these are the areas of personality disorders, wherein it may affect at least
two of these areas.

Types of Personality Disorders

There are different types of personality disorders. In this concept, there are figures
presented with the mnemonics to easily understand or remember the characteristics of
each personality disorder.

Figure 1 Areas of Personality Disorders

Source: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Antisocial Personality Disorder

“It has a pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others. It may not conform to
social norms, may repeatedly lie or deceive others, or may act impulsively”, as cited in
psychiatry.org. Refer to figure 19.

Figure 19: Antisocial Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

This is not the same as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder due to anxiety. In obsessive compulsive
personality disorder, there is a pattern of pre-occupation with orderliness, perfection and control. This
may be overly focused on details or schedule, work excessively and not allowing time for leisure or
friends. They may be inflexible in their morality and values.

Figure 20: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Individuals with this type of personality disorder has a pattern of the need for
admiration but lack of empathy for others. They may have a grandiose sense of self-
importance , sense of entitlement, and take advantage of others.

Borderline Personality Disorder

The individuals with this type of personality disorder usually has a pattern of
instability in personal relationships. One has an intense emotions, poor self-image and
impulsivity. They may go to great lengths to avoid being abandoned, repeated suicide
attempts, displayed inappropriate intense anger or on-going feelings of emptiness.

Figure 22: Borderline Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Paranoid personality are characterized with a pattern of being suspicious to others

and seeing them as mean or spiteful. These people often assume that people will deceive
them or harm them. They do not confide in others or become close to them.

Figure 23: Paranoid Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Dependent Personality Disorder

Individuals with a pattern of being submissive or needing to be taken care of and clingy
behaviour. They may have difficulty in making daily decisions without the reassurance from others or
feel uncomfortable or helpless when alone due to fear of inability to take care of themselves.

Figure 24: Dependent Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Individuals with this personality disorder displayed a pattern of extreme shyness, feelings of
inadequacy and extreme sensitivity to criticism. They may be unwilling to get involved with people
unless they are certain of being liked. They may view themselves as not being good enough or
socially inept.

Figure 25: Avoidant Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Histrionic Personality Disorder

People with this type of personality disorder may be uncomfortable when they are not
the center of attention. They may use their physical appearance to draw attention to
themselves. There is a pattern of excessive emotion and attention seeking. They may have a
rapid shifting or exaggerated emotions.

Figure 26: Histrionic Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

People with this type of personality disorder often described with an eccentric
personality. They often identified as loners who prefer to keep distant from others or
uncomfortable of being in relationships. They tend to have markedly illogical thinking with
unusual ideas or odd beliefs that are inconsistent with prevailing ideas, example of this is a
strong belief in extrasensory perception(ESP). Individuals with this personality disorder may
report unusual perceptions or strange body experiences.

Figure 27: Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Persons with schizoid personality disorder typically does not seek close relationships ,
chooses to be alone and seems to not care about praise or criticism from others. They are being
detached from social relationships and expressing little emotions.
 Figure 27: Schizoid Personality Disorder

Source: Nursing Mental Health Pinterest

Each personality disorder is also elaborated according to the definition of the American
Psychiatric Association.
Treatment for Personality Disorders

There are types of psychotherapy that are an effective treatment for personality disorders.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (2019), psychotherapy is like “talk therapy”. This
can assist an individual in understanding the effects of their behavior on others. This also includes
learning to manage the symptoms. The treatment depends on the type of personality disorder. Examples
of psychotherapy are psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive
behavioral therapy, group therapy, and psychoeducation (teaching the individual and family members
about the illness, treatment, and ways of coping). There are no medications specifically can treat
personality disorders.

The Coping Strategies for people with personality disorders

Table 1 Coping Strategies for People with personality disorders
Source: Mayoclinic(2016)