Personality Disorders
Types of Personality Disorders
Mental health professionals group personality disorders into three clusters:
Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric)
Paranoid Personality Disorder: Distrust and suspicion of others.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: Detachment from social relationships and limited emotional expression.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Discomfort in close relationships, eccentric behavior or thinking.
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Intense emotions, fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, impulsivity.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Histrionic Personality Disorder: Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.
Antisocial Personality Disorder: Disregard for the rights of others, manipulative or unlawful behavior.
Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful)
Avoidant Personality Disorder: Extreme shyness, fear of criticism, and feelings of inadequacy.
Dependent Personality Disorder: Need to be taken care of, submissive and clingy behavior.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control (distinct from OCD).
What Causes Personality Disorders?
There’s no single cause. They often develop from a combination of:
Childhood trauma or neglect
Genetics or family history of mental illness
Brain differences in emotional regulation
Environmental factors and attachment issues
Diagnosis and Treatment
Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose a personality disorder through a thorough assessment. At Grove Healing Collective, we approach this process with care, patience, and nonjudgment.
Treatment Options Include:
Talk Therapy: Modalities like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be highly effective.
Medication: While there’s no medication specifically for personality disorders, some symptoms (like anxiety or depression) may be managed with prescriptions.
Supportive Relationships: Group therapy, peer support, and stable therapeutic alliances can promote healing and growth.
You Are Not Alone
Living with a personality disorder—or loving someone who has one—can feel isolating, but support is available. The patterns you developed to survive deserve compassion—not shame. Our team of compassionate therapists is here to help you explore your experience and find sustainable paths forward.
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” — Akshay Dubey