Personality Disorders (Wiki)

"Emotional", "Dramatic" or "Erratic" disorders

Personality disorders, in essence, are long term, inflexible patterns of behaviour which impact on one's daily life to such a point that they cause significant distress.


Antisocial Personality Disorder (Wiki)

A psychiatric condition that is characterised by antisocial and impulsive behaviour; it effects approximately 3% of all men and 1% of all women. Patients seem to exclusively experience hostile emotions and as such react solely to them. The criteria for this disorder is the experience of three or more of the following symptoms:

  1. A lack of remorse or shame;
  2. Impulsive, on the spur of the moment behaviour;
  3. Repeated lying;
  4. Tendencies to defy social order;
  5. Lack of consideration for safety, for oneself or others;
  6. Notable aggressiveness and irritability;
  7. Lack of responsible behaviour.

Borderline Personality Disorder (Wiki)

Characterised by all-or-nothing thinking, BPD sufferers tend to experience troubled relationships. Patients should experience at least five of the following symptoms:

  1. Constant feelings of emptiness;
  2. Paranoia and feelings of detachment;
  3. Turbulent self-image;
  4. Intense and often spontaneous feelings of anger and aggressiveness;
  5. Suicidal behaviour;
  6. Dread of abandonment;
  7. Impulsive behaviour.

Histrionic Personality Disorder (Wiki)

Also known as hysterical personality disorder.

A psychiatric condition marked by hysterical and desperate attention seeking through wild behaviour. Patients appear to be easily influenced by others and actively seek their approval at every turn. Patients should suffer at least five of the following symptoms:

  1. Over-investment or assessment of relationships;
  2. Is easily influenced by others;
  3. Exhibits over-exaggerated behaviour;
  4. Seeks attention through physical behaviour;
  5. Shallow emotions that rapidly change;
  6. Interaction with others is frequently suggestive or dramatic;
  7. Speech style is showy or fancy whilst lacking in depth;
  8. Heavily desires to be the centre of attention.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (Wiki)

Patients need to experience at least five of the following to be classified as suffering from NPD:

  1. Projects an air of arrogance;
  2. Dwells on envy, either of another or on another's envy towards them;
  3. Lacks empathy and pathos;
  4. Uses and manipulates others without discrimination;
  5. Believes the world owes them favours;
  6. Desires, if not requires, admiration and/or congratulation;
  7. Believes that they are unique, special but always superior;
  8. Fantasies about power, success and triumph;
  9. Feels self important.