What are the types of personality disorders? Personality disorders are special mental conditions

Personality disorders

Personality disorders are characterized by persistent disturbances in thoughts, feelings and actions. Many people have their own characteristics. However, sometimes someone's behavior and personality characteristics are so different from the generally accepted ones that it causes irritation. Problems arise that affect both people with personality disorders and those around them. If a personality disorder puts a lot of pressure on everyday life, there is a need for qualified psychological help.

Personality disorders are relatively inflexible patterns of perceiving other people and responding to events that impair a person's ability to socially adapt.

Medicines do not change personality traits, while psychotherapy can help people acknowledge their problems and change behavior.
Each person has characteristic patterns of perception (personality traits) associated with other people and events. For example, some people respond to troubling situations by trying to ask someone for help, while others prefer to deal with problems on their own. Some people downplay the seriousness of the problem, while others exaggerate it. Regardless of their usual response style, mentally healthy people will try an alternative approach if their first response is ineffective.

People with a personality disorder are rigid and, as a rule, react inappropriately to problems, to the point of being unable to build relationships with family members, friends and colleagues. Personality disorders typically begin in adolescence or early adulthood and do not improve over time. Personality disorders vary in severity. Personality disorders are more common in mild forms, and much less common in severe forms.

Most people with a personality disorder are dissatisfied with their lives and have problems in relationships at work or in social situations. Many also suffer from mood disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, or eating disorders.

People with a personality disorder do not know that their thoughts and behavior are unacceptable, and therefore they rarely seek help on their own. They may present with chronic tension created by a personality disorder, anxiety symptoms, or depression, and tend to believe that problems are caused by other people or circumstances beyond their control.

Until recently, many psychiatrists and psychologists believed that treatment did not help people with personality disorders. However, it has now been proven that some types of psychotherapy, in particular psychoanalysis, help cope with personality disorders.

According to the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), there are 10 main types of personality disorders, which are grouped into three clusters (Cluster A, B and C). Read more about the types of personality disorders.

Consequences of personality disorders

People with a personality disorder have a high risk of developing addiction (alcoholism or drug addiction), suicidal behavior, reckless sexual behavior, hypochondria, and opposition to society's values.
- People with a personality disorder may have an inappropriate, overly emotional, abusive, or irresponsible parenting style, which leads to mental disorders in children.
- People with a personality disorder are susceptible to mental breakdowns as a result of stress (during a crisis, a person faces difficulties in performing the most ordinary tasks).
- People with a personality disorder may develop co-occurring mental disorders (such as anxiety, depression or psychosis).
- People with a personality disorder often do not have enough contact with a therapist or doctor because they refuse responsibility for their behavior, are distrustful, or feel overly needy.

Treatment of personality disorders

Medicines
Drug therapy is sometimes used to reduce anxiety, depression, and other distressing symptoms. Drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed for depression and impulsivity. Anticonvulsants reduce impulsivity and temper tantrums. Other drugs such as risperidone Risperdal are used to combat depression and feelings of depersonalization in people with borderline personality disorder.

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Personality disorders, as a rule, arise in adolescents and actively develop until full mental maturity, often integrating into a person’s established psychotype. Professionals argue that the above diagnosis can only be made from the age of fifteen to sixteen: before that, mental characteristics are often associated with active physiological changes in the body.

Previously, personality disorder was not identified as a special type of mental disorder and was classified as classical psychopathy, which arose as a result of underdevelopment of the nervous system due to a number of factors (trauma, heredity, harmful environment, etc.).

This condition can be caused by birth trauma and genetic predispositions to violence in various forms and certain life situations.

Quite often, personality disorder is confused with impaired perception, psychosis and the influence of various diseases, however, these conditions differ in complex clinical symptoms, features of the qualitative and quantitative specificity of a psychiatric disorder,

Symptoms of disorders by type

Each type of disorder has its own symptoms:

Passive-aggressive

Patients are irritable, envious, rather angry, threaten to commit suicide, but, as a rule, do not do this. The condition is aggravated by constant depression due to alcoholism, as well as various somatic disorders.

Narcissistic

There is a significant exaggeration of one's own talents and merits, multiple fantasies on various topics. They love admiration for themselves, envy the successful people around them and demand unwavering submission to their own demands.

Dependent

People with this syndrome often have very low self-esteem, they show self-doubt and try to avoid responsibility. A special problem in this case is the fundamental difficulties of making important decisions; people with such a personality disorder easily endure insults and humiliation, and are afraid of loneliness.

Alarming

Manifests itself in fear of various environmental factors. They are afraid to speak publicly, have a number of social phobias, are very sensitive to criticism, and require constant support and approval from society.

Anancast

There is excessive shyness, impressionability, and lack of confidence in oneself and one’s strengths. Such patients are often overcome by doubts, they are afraid of responsible work, and sometimes they are overcome by obsessive thoughts.

Histrionic

They crave constant attention and are very impulsive to the point of hysteria. Extremely changeable moods will often change. People try to stand out in the most extravagant way, often lying and making up various stories about themselves in order to gain more significance from society. They often behave openly and friendly in public, but in families they are tyrants.

Emotionally unstable

They are very excitable and respond to any events very violently, openly expressing anger, dissatisfaction, and irritation. The outbursts of such people often lead to open violence if they meet resistance/criticism from other people. Their mood is very changeable, unpredictable, and they have a great tendency to act impulsively.

Dissocial

Tendency to ill-considered and impulsive actions, disregard for moral standards, indifference and aversion to responsibilities. Such people do not regret their actions, they often lie, manipulate others, and they do not have anxiety or depression.

Schizoid personality disorder

Such people strive for isolated life activities; they do not want close relationships and ordinary contacts with others. Patients are indifferent to praise or criticism, show very little interest in sexual relations, but they often become attached to animals. The predetermining factor is the maximum possible isolation from the surrounding society.

Paranoid

They almost always experience unfounded suspicions about deception, exploitation, or other actions on the part of society. Patients are unable to forgive other people; they believe that they are always right and understand only the authority of power and authority. In extreme forms they can be dangerous, especially if they intend to pursue or take revenge on their imaginary enemies and offenders.

Diagnostics

All the main criteria by which personality disorders can be correctly diagnosed are contained in the latest edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

In particular, conditions that cannot be explained by brain diseases or extensive brain damage, as well as known mental disorders, become decisive.

1. The chronic nature of altered behavior, which arose over a long period of time and is not associated with the etymology of episodes of mental illness.
2. The style of altered behavior systematically disrupts adaptation to life or social situations.
3. Disharmony with behavior and one’s own positions is revealed, manifested in deviations from the norm in perception, thinking, and communication with other people. Lack of impulse control, affectivity, and frequent excitability/inhibition are also diagnosed.
4. As a rule, the disorder described above is accompanied by a partial or complete loss of productivity in society or work.
5. The above-described manifestations occur in childhood and also in adolescents.
6. The condition leads to large-scale distress, which manifests itself in the later stages of the development of the problem.

If at least three of the above-mentioned signs are found in a patient who has been given a potential diagnosis of Personality Disorder, then the likelihood of its correct diagnosis after receiving additional tests, if necessary, is considered proven.

Treatment for Personality Disorder

It should be understood that personality disorders are a rather severe mental disorder, therefore any treatment is mainly aimed not at changing the personality structure, but at neutralizing the negative manifestations of the syndrome and partial compensation of normal mental functions. In modern medicine, two main approaches are used.

Psychological-social therapy

In particular, this includes individual, group, and family therapy conducted by experienced neuropsychotherapists, psychological education, as well as environmental treatment and exercises in special self-help groups.

Drug therapy

Recent studies show that the popular classic method of combating personality disorder is ineffective, so even in the FDA recommendations you will not find instructions about drug treatment. Some experts recommend using antipsychotics and antidepressants in this case, usually in small doses. Antipsychotics and benzodiazepines are widely used, mainly to suppress attacks of aggression, but their constant use can cause worsening of depressive conditions, drug dependence and even the opposite effect of agitation.

In any case, it is simply impossible to independently treat or alleviate the symptoms of a personality disorder. We recommend that you contact several independent specialists on this issue at once, carefully weigh their suggestions and recommendations, and only then make a decision, especially when it comes to taking certain groups of drugs on an ongoing basis or revolutionary methods of dubious untested origin.

Useful video

About 10% of people suffer from personality disorders (otherwise known as constitutional psychopathy). Pathologies of this kind are externally manifested by persistent behavioral disorders that negatively affect the life of the patient himself and his environment. Of course, not every person who behaves eccentrically or unusually for others is a psychopath. Deviations in behavior and character are considered pathological if they can be traced from youth, extend to several aspects of life and lead to personal and social problems.

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Paranoid disorder

A person with paranoid personality disorder does not trust anyone or anything. He is sensitive to any contact, suspects everyone of ill will and hostile intentions, and negatively interprets any actions of other people. We can say that he considers himself the object of a worldwide villainous conspiracy.

Such a patient is constantly dissatisfied or afraid of something. At the same time, he is aggressive: he actively accuses others of exploiting him, offending him, deceiving him, etc. Most of such accusations are not only unfounded, but also directly contradict the real state of affairs. A person suffering from paranoid disorder is very vindictive: he can remember his real or imaginary grievances for years and settle scores with the “offenders.”

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

An obsessive-compulsive personality is prone to absolute pedantry and perfectionism. Such a person does everything with exaggerated accuracy and strives to subordinate his life once and for all to established patterns. Any little thing, for example, changing the arrangement of dishes on the table, can infuriate him or cause hysterics.

A person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder considers his lifestyle to be absolutely correct and the only acceptable one, so he aggressively imposes similar rules on others. At work, he bothers his colleagues with constant nagging, and in the family he often becomes a real tyrant, not forgiving his loved ones even the slightest deviation from his ideal.

Antisocial disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by aversion to any rules of behavior. Such a person does not study well because of a lack of ability: he simply does not complete the teacher’s assignments and does not go to classes, because this is a mandatory condition of learning. For the same reason, he does not come to work on time and ignores the instructions of his superiors.

Behavior of the antisocial type is not protest: a person violates all norms in a row, and not just those that seem wrong to him. And he very quickly comes into conflict with the law, starting with petty hooliganism and damage or appropriation of someone else's property. Crimes usually have no real motivation: a person hits a passer-by for no reason and takes his wallet without needing the money. Those who suffer from antisocial disorder are not kept even in criminal communities - after all, they also have their own rules of behavior, which the patient is unable to observe.

Schizoid disorder

The schizoid personality type is characterized by a refusal to communicate. The person seems unfriendly, cold, and distant to others. He usually has no friends, has no contact with anyone except his closest relatives, and chooses his work so that he can do it alone, without meeting people.

The schizoid shows little emotion, is equally indifferent to criticism and praise, and has virtually no interest in sex. It is difficult to please a person of this type with anything: he is almost always indifferent or dissatisfied.

Schizotypal disorder

Like schizoids, people suffering from schizotypal disorder avoid creating friendships and family connections, preferring loneliness, but their initial message is different. Individuals with schizotypal deviations are extravagant. They often share the most ridiculous superstitions, consider themselves psychics or magicians, can dress strangely and express their views in detail and artistically.

People with schizotypal disorder have a variety of fantasies, visual or auditory illusions that are almost unrelated to reality. Patients imagine themselves as the main characters in events that have nothing to do with them.

Hysteroid disorder

A person suffering from hysterical personality disorder believes that he is deprived of the attention of others. He is ready to do anything to be noticed. At the same time, the hysterical does not see a significant difference between real achievements worthy of recognition and scandalous antics. Such a person perceives criticism painfully: if he is condemned, he falls into rage and despair.

A hysterical personality is prone to theatricality, pretentious behavior, and exaggerated demonstration of emotions. Such people are very dependent on other people's opinions, selfish and very indulgent towards their own shortcomings. Usually they try to manipulate loved ones, using blackmail and scandals to get them to fulfill any of their whims.

Narcissistic disorder

Narcissism manifests itself in the belief in unconditional superiority over other people. A person suffering from this disorder is confident in his right to universal admiration and demands worship from everyone he encounters. He is incapable of understanding other people's interests, empathy and critical attitude towards himself.

People prone to narcissism constantly boast about their achievements (even if in reality they do nothing special) and demonstrate themselves. The narcissist explains any failure by envy of his success, by the fact that those around him are unable to appreciate him.

Borderline disorder

This pathology manifests itself in extreme instability of the emotional state. A person instantly moves from joy to despair, from stubbornness to gullibility, from calm to anxiety, and all this without real reasons. He often changes his political and religious beliefs, constantly offends loved ones, as if deliberately pushing them away from himself, and at the same time is panicky afraid of being left without their support.

Borderline disorder means that a person will periodically become depressed. Such individuals are prone to repeated suicide attempts. Trying to find comfort, they often fall into drug or alcohol addiction.

Avoidance disorder

A person suffering from avoidant disorder believes that he or she is completely worthless, unattractive, and unsuccessful. At the same time, he is very afraid that others will confirm this opinion, and as a result he avoids any communication (except for contacts with people who are guaranteed not to express a negative opinion), in fact he hides from life: he does not meet anyone, tries not to take on new ones things, fearing that nothing will work out.

Addictive disorder

A person with dependent personality disorder suffers from a completely unfounded belief in his own helplessness. It seems to him that without the advice and constant support of his loved ones he will not survive.

The patient completely subordinates his life to the demands (real or imaginary) of those persons whose help he thinks he needs. In the most severe cases, a person cannot remain alone at all. He refuses to make independent decisions and demands advice and recommendations even on small things. In a situation where he is forced to show independence, the patient panics and begins to follow any advice, regardless of what result they may lead to.

Psychologists believe that the origins of personality disorders lie in childhood and youth experiences, in the circumstances that accompanied a person for the first 18 years of his life. Over the years, the condition of such patients remains almost unchanged. Personality disorders are not corrected with medication. These patients are treated using psychotherapeutic methods (family, group and individual sessions) and methods such as environmental therapy (living in special communities). However, the likelihood of improvement in the condition of most patients is low: 3 out of every 4 people suffering from personality disorders do not consider themselves sick and refuse diagnosis and help from specialists.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

personality and behavior, which, unlike neurotic disorders, are not painful for a person, do not cause any autonomic disorders and are accepted as their own characteristics.

Specific personality disorders

Psychopathy(from the Greek psyche - soul and pathos - suffering) - a personality anomaly that is congenital or developed in the early years, causing mental inferiority of the individual.

Each person has some personality accentuations (character traits, etc.), and this is normal. But when these features cause disruption of adaptation to a wide range of personal and social situations, this is a pathology.

A characteristic feature of a psychopathic personality is the disharmony of its emotional-volitional sphere with the relative preservation of intelligence. Psychopathic personality traits complicate social adaptation, and under traumatic circumstances lead to maladaptive behavioral acts.

Psychopaths do not have irreversible personality defects. Under favorable environmental conditions, their mental anomalies are smoothed out. However, in all mentally difficult conditions for them, a breakdown reaction and behavioral disadaptation are inevitable. Among persons who commit violent crimes, psychopaths occupy a leading place. Psychopaths are characterized by mental immaturity, manifested in increased suggestibility, a tendency to exaggerate, and unfounded suspiciousness.

Paranoid personality disorder

1) Increased self-esteem (grandiosity);
2) Suspicion;
3) Tendency to form overvalued ideas, fanaticism;
4) Excessive sensitivity to failures and refusals;
5) The tendency to constantly be dissatisfied with someone;
6) Constantly attributing what is happening to one’s own account;
7) A militantly scrupulous attitude towards issues related to individual rights, which does not correspond to the actual situation;
8) Grudge;
9) Deceit.

Schizoid personality disorder

1) Reticence, autism, preference for solitary activities;
2) Emotional coldness, alienated or flattened affectivity;
3) Increased preoccupation with fantasy and introspection;
4) Absorption in intellectual processes, passion for the computer.

Dissocial personality disorder

1) Indifference to the feelings of others;
2) Neglect of social rules and responsibilities;
3) Inability to maintain relationships;
4) Lack of attachment even to close people;
5) Tendency to alcoholism, drug addiction, theft, etc.;
6) Constant irritability, low threshold for aggression.

Emotionally unstable personality disorder (explosive, excitable, aggressive)

There are two types: impulsive type, borderline type. The boundaries between them are erased.
1) Impulsivity in behavior. Planning ability is minimal;
2) Emotional instability;
3) Lack of self-control;
4) Outbursts of cruelty and threatening behavior in response to condemnation by others;
5) Intentions and internal preferences (including sexual ones) are often unclear or violated. Chronic feeling of emptiness.

Histrionic personality disorder (histrionic)

1) The desire to be in the center of attention, recognition from others;
2) Theatrical behavior, exaggerated expression of emotions;
3) Superficiality and lability of emotionality;
4) Suggestibility, susceptibility to the influence of others, tendency to imitate;
5) Inappropriate seductiveness in appearance and behavior;
6) Excessive preoccupation with physical attractiveness associated with the desire to attract attention.

Anancastic personality disorder (obsessive-compulsive)

1) Excessive tendency to doubt and caution;
2) Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules;
3) Excessive absorption in work, conscientiousness, scrupulousness;
4) Increased pedantry, perfectionism and adherence to social conventions;
5) Conservatism in matters of morality and ethics;
6) Inability to relax, avoidance of entertainment;
7) Rigidity and stubbornness;
8) The appearance of persistent and unwanted thoughts and attractions;
9) Lack of emotionality.

Anxious personality disorder (avoidant, avoidant)

1) Constant anxiety;
2) Tendency to doubt oneself;
3) Low self-esteem. Ideas about one’s social inability, personal unattractiveness;
4) Avoidance of interpersonal contacts due to fear of criticism, disapproval or rejection;
5) Limited lifestyle due to the need for physical safety;
6) Increased caring towards loved ones.

Dependent personality disorder (asthenic, passive)

1) Tendency to shift responsibility to others;
2) Subordinating one's needs to the needs of other people on whom the individual depends;
3) Difficulty in expressing independent views;
4) Fear of loneliness Inability to live independently;
5) Difficulty in making day-to-day decisions based on the advice of others.

Disorders of habits and desires

Behavioral disorders characterized by repeated behavior without clear rationalization of motivation, which are generally contrary to the interests of the patient himself and other people. The person reports that this behavior is caused by urges that cannot be controlled. The causes of these conditions are unclear.

Pathological attraction to gambling (gambling)

This disorder consists of frequent, repeated episodes of gambling that dominate the subject's life and lead to a decrease in social, professional, material and family values.

Pathological attraction to arson (pyromania)

This disorder is characterized by multiple acts or attempts to set fire to property or other objects without obvious motive, as well as ruminations about objects related to fire and combustion. There may be an abnormal interest in fire fighting vehicles and equipment, other items related to fire and calling the fire brigade.

Pathological attraction to theft (kleptomania)

In this case, a person periodically experiences an urge to steal objects, which is not associated with personal need for them or material gain. Items may be discarded, thrown away, or kept in stock.

Trichotillomania

Inclination to pull out hair and noticeable loss of hair. Hair pulling is usually preceded by increasing tension and is followed by a feeling of relief and satisfaction.

Gender identity disorders

Transsexualism

Feeling of belonging to the opposite sex. A desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually combined with feelings of inadequacy or discomfort with one's anatomical sex and a desire to receive hormonal and surgical treatments to make one's body as consistent as possible with one's chosen sex.

Transvestism

Wearing clothing of the opposite sex as part of a lifestyle with the purpose of obtaining pleasure from the temporary feeling of belonging to the opposite sex, but without the slightest desire for a more permanent gender change or associated surgical correction. Crossdressing is not accompanied by sexual arousal, which distinguishes this disorder from fetishistic transvestism.

Sexual preference disorders

Homosexuality

Sexual preference for members of the same sex.

Fetishism

Using an inanimate object as a stimulus for sexual arousal and sexual gratification.

Fetishistic transvestism

Wearing clothing of the opposite sex primarily to achieve sexual arousal.

Exhibitionism

An occasional or persistent tendency to expose one's genitals to strangers (usually members of the opposite sex) or in public places, without the suggestion or intention of closer contact. Typically, but not always, sexual arousal occurs during demonstration, often accompanied by masturbation. This tendency may only occur during periods of emotional stress or crisis, interspersed with long periods without such behavior.

Voyeurism

An occasional or constant tendency to watch people having sex or "intimate activities" such as undressing. This usually leads to sexual arousal and masturbation and is carried out secretly from the observed person.

Pedophilia

Sexual preference for children is usually prenatal or early puberty. Some pedophiles are only attracted to girls, others only to boys, and still others are interested in children of both sexes.

Sadomasochism

Preference for sexual activity that involves causing pain or humiliation. If an individual chooses to be exposed to this kind of stimulation, it is called masochism; if he prefers to be its source - sadism. Often the individual obtains sexual satisfaction from both sadistic and masochistic activities.

Abuse of non-addictive substances

We can talk about a wide variety of medicines, patented drugs and folk remedies. Although the drug may be prescribed or recommended by a healthcare professional for the first time, it is then taken over an extended period of time, unnecessarily and often in higher dosages, which is made easier by the availability of the substance without a prescription. Although it is usually clear that the patient is strongly motivated to take the substance, dependence or withdrawal symptoms do not develop, which distinguishes these cases from substance use.

The most common abuse is of antidepressants, analgesics, antacids, herbs and traditional medicine, steroids or other hormones, vitamins, and laxatives.

Our society consists of completely different, dissimilar people. And this is visible not only in appearance - first of all, our behavior and reaction to life situations, especially stressful ones, are different. Each of us - and probably more than once - has encountered people with, as people say, whose behavior does not fit into generally accepted norms and often causes condemnation. Today we will look at mixed personality disorder: the limitations that this illness entails, its symptoms and treatment methods.

If a person’s behavior exhibits a deviation from the norm, bordering on inadequacy, psychologists and psychiatrists consider this a personality disorder. There are several types of such disorders, which we will consider below, but most often they are diagnosed (if this definition can be considered a real diagnosis) mixed. Essentially speaking, it is advisable to use this term in cases where the doctor cannot classify the patient’s behavior into a certain category. Practicing doctors notice that this happens very often, because people are not robots, and it is impossible to identify pure types of behavior. All personality types we know are relative definitions.

Mixed Personality Disorder: Definition

If a person has disturbances in his thoughts, behavior and actions, he has a personality disorder. This group of diagnoses is classified as mental. Such people behave inappropriately and perceive stressful situations differently, in contrast to absolutely mentally healthy people. These factors cause conflicts at work and in the family.

For example, there are people who cope with difficult situations on their own, while others seek help; Some tend to exaggerate their problems, while others, on the contrary, downplay them. In any case, such a reaction is absolutely normal and depends on the character of the person.

People who have mixed and other personality disorders, unfortunately, do not understand that they have mental problems, so they rarely seek help on their own. Meanwhile, they really need this help. The main task of the doctor in this case is to help the patient understand himself and teach him to interact in society without causing harm to himself or others.

Mixed personality disorder in ICD-10 should be looked for under F60-F69.

This condition lasts for years and begins to manifest itself in childhood. At the age of 17-18, personality formation occurs. But since at this time the character is just being formed, such a diagnosis at puberty is incorrect. But in adulthood, when the personality is fully formed, the symptoms of a personality disorder only worsen. And usually it is a type of mixed disorder.

ICD-10 has another heading - /F07.0/ “Personality disorder of organic etiology”. Characterized by significant changes in the habitual pattern of premorbid behavior. The expression of emotions, needs and drives is especially affected. Cognitive activity may be reduced in the area of ​​planning and anticipating consequences for oneself and society. The classifier contains several illnesses in this category, one of them is personality disorder due to mixed illnesses (for example, depression). This pathology accompanies a person throughout his life if he does not realize his problem and does not fight it. The course of the disease is wavy - periods of remission are observed, during which the patient feels excellent. Transient mixed personality disorder (that is, short-term) is quite common. However, accompanying factors such as stress, alcohol or drug use, and even menstruation can cause a relapse or worsening of the condition.

When a personality disorder gets worse, it can lead to serious consequences, including physical harm to others.

Causes of personality disorder

Personality disorders, both mixed and specific, usually occur in the context of brain injuries resulting from falls or accidents. However, doctors note that both genetic and biochemical factors, as well as social ones, are involved in the formation of this disease. Moreover, social ones play a leading role.

First of all, this is incorrect parental upbringing - in this case, the character traits of a psychopath begin to form in childhood. Besides this, none of us understands how detrimental stress really is to the body. And if this stress turns out to be excessively strong, it can subsequently lead to a similar disorder.

Sexual abuse and other psychological trauma, especially in childhood, often lead to a similar result - doctors note that about 90% of women with hysteria in childhood or adolescence were raped. In general, the causes of pathologies that are designated in ICD-10 as personality disorders in connection with mixed diseases should often be sought in the patient’s childhood or adolescence.

How do personality disorders manifest themselves?

People with personality disorders usually have accompanying psychological problems - they consult doctors about depression, chronic tension, and problems building relationships with family and colleagues. At the same time, patients are confident that the source of their problems is external factors that do not depend on them and are beyond their control.

So, people diagnosed with mixed personality disorder have the following symptoms:

• problems with building relationships in the family and at work, as noted above;
• emotional disconnection, in which a person feels emotionally empty and avoids communication;
• difficulties in managing one’s own negative emotions, which leads to conflicts and often even ends in assault;
• periodic loss of contact with reality.

Patients are dissatisfied with their lives; it seems to them that everyone around them is to blame for their failures. It was previously believed that such a disease could not be treated, but recently doctors have changed their minds.

Mixed personality disorder, the symptoms of which are listed above, manifests itself in different ways. It consists of a range of pathological features that are common to the personality disorders described below. So, let's look at these types in more detail.

Types of Personality Disorders

Paranoid disorder. As a rule, such a diagnosis is made to arrogant people who are confident only in their point of view. Tireless debaters, they are sure that only they are always and everywhere right. Any words and actions of others that do not correspond to their own concepts are perceived negatively by the paranoid. His one-sided judgments become the cause of quarrels and conflicts. During decompensation, symptoms intensify - paranoid people often suspect their spouses of infidelity, as their pathological jealousy and suspicion intensify significantly.

Schizoid disorder. Characterized by excessive isolation. Such people react with equal indifference to both praise and criticism. They are so cold emotionally that they are unable to show either love or hatred towards others. They are distinguished by an expressionless face and a monotonous voice. For a schizoid, the world around him is hidden by a wall of misunderstanding and embarrassment. At the same time, he has developed abstract thinking, a tendency to think about deep philosophical topics, and a rich imagination.

This type of personality disorder develops in early childhood. By the age of 30, the sharp angles of pathological features level out somewhat. If the patient’s profession involves minimal contact with society, he will successfully adapt to such a life.

Dissocial disorder. A type in which patients have a tendency to aggressive and rude behavior, disregard for all generally accepted rules, and a heartless attitude towards family and friends. In childhood and puberty, these children do not find a common language in a group, often fight, and behave defiantly. They run away from home. In adulthood, they are deprived of any warm affections, they are considered “difficult people”, which is expressed in cruelty to parents, spouses, animals and children. It is this type that is prone to commit crimes.

Expressed in impulsiveness with a hint of cruelty. Such people perceive only their opinion and their outlook on life. Small troubles, especially in everyday life, cause them emotional tension and stress, which leads to conflicts that sometimes turn into assault. These individuals do not know how to assess the situation adequately and react too violently to ordinary life problems. At the same time, they are confident in their own importance, which others do not perceive, treating them with prejudice, just as patients are confident.

Hysterical disorder. Hysterical people are prone to increased theatricality, suggestibility and sudden mood swings. They love to be the center of attention and are confident in their attractiveness and irresistibility. At the same time, they reason rather superficially and never take on tasks that require attention and dedication. Such people love and know how to manipulate others - family, friends, colleagues. By adulthood, long-term compensation is possible. Decompensation can develop in stressful situations, during menopause in women. Severe forms are manifested by a feeling of suffocation, a coma in the throat, numbness of the limbs and depression.

Attention! A hysterical person may have suicidal tendencies. In some cases, these are simply demonstrative attempts to commit suicide, but it also happens that a hysteric, due to his tendency to violent reactions and hasty decisions, may quite seriously try to kill himself. That is why it is especially important for such patients to contact psychotherapists.

Expressed in constant doubts, excessive caution and increased attention to detail. At the same time, the essence of the type of activity is missed, because the patient is only worried about the details in order, in lists, in the behavior of colleagues. Such people are confident that they are doing the right thing, and constantly make comments to others if they do something “wrong.” The disorder is especially noticeable when a person performs the same actions - rearranging things, constant checks, etc. In compensation, patients are pedantic, precise in their official duties, and even reliable. But during the period of exacerbation, they develop a feeling of anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and fear of death. With age, pedantry and frugality develop into selfishness and stinginess.

Anxiety disorder is expressed in feelings of anxiety, fearfulness, and low self-esteem. Such a person is constantly worried about the impression he makes and is tormented by the consciousness of his own contrived unattractiveness.

The patient is timid, conscientious, tries to lead a secluded life, because he feels safe alone. These people are afraid of offending others. At the same time, they are quite well adapted to life in society, since society treats them with sympathy.

The state of decompensation is expressed in poor health - lack of air, rapid heartbeat, nausea or even vomiting and diarrhea.

Dependent (unstable) personality disorder. People with this diagnosis are characterized by passive behavior. They shift all responsibility for making decisions and even for their own lives onto others, and if there is no one to shift it to, they feel incredibly uncomfortable. Patients are afraid of being abandoned by people who are close to them, are submissive and dependent on other people's opinions and decisions. Decompensation manifests itself in a complete inability to control one’s life with the loss of a “leader,” confusion, and bad mood.

If the doctor sees pathological features inherent in different types of disorders, he diagnoses “mixed personality disorder.”

The most interesting type for medicine is a combination of schizoid and hysterical. Such people often develop schizophrenia in the future.

What are the consequences of mixed personality disorder?

1. Such mental deviations can lead to a tendency towards alcoholism, drug addiction, suicidal tendencies, inappropriate sexual behavior, and hypochondria.
2. Improper upbringing of children due to mental disorders (excessive emotionality, cruelty, lack of sense of responsibility) leads to mental disorders in children.
3. Mental breakdowns are possible when performing normal daily activities.
4. Personality disorder leads to other psychological disorders - depression, anxiety, psychosis.
5. The impossibility of full contact with a doctor or therapist due to mistrust or lack of responsibility for one’s actions.

Mixed personality disorder in children and adolescents

Personality disorder usually appears in childhood. It is expressed in excessive disobedience, antisocial behavior, and rudeness. However, such behavior is not always a diagnosis and may turn out to be a manifestation of a completely natural development of character. Only if this behavior is excessive and constant can we talk about mixed personality disorder.

A major role in the development of pathology is played not so much by genetic factors as by upbringing and social environment. For example, hysterical disorder may occur against the background of insufficient attention and participation in the child’s life on the part of parents. As a result, about 40% of children with behavior disorders continue to suffer from it.

Adolescent Mixed Personality Disorder is not considered a diagnosis. The disease can be diagnosed only after puberty has ended - an adult already has a formed character that needs correction, but is not completely corrected. And during puberty, such behavior is often the result of the “perestroika” that all adolescents experience. The main type of treatment is psychotherapy. Young people with severe mixed personality disorder in the decompensation stage cannot work in industries and are not allowed into the army.

Treatment for Personality Disorder

Many people who have been diagnosed with mixed personality disorder are primarily interested in how dangerous the condition is and whether it can be treated. Many people are diagnosed completely by accident; patients claim that they do not notice its manifestations. Meanwhile, the question of whether it can be treated remains open.

Psychiatrists believe that it is almost impossible to cure a mixed personality disorder - it will accompany a person throughout his life. However, doctors are confident that its manifestations can be reduced or even achieved stable remission. That is, the patient adapts to society and feels comfortable. At the same time, it is important that he wants to eliminate the manifestations of his illness and fully comes into contact with the doctor. Without this desire, therapy will not be effective.

Medications in the treatment of mixed personality disorder

If organic personality disorder of mixed origin is usually treated with drugs, then the disease we are considering is treated with psychotherapy. Most psychiatrists are confident that drug treatment does not help patients because it is not aimed at changing the character that patients mainly need.

However, you should not give up medications so quickly - many of them can alleviate a person’s condition by eliminating certain symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. At the same time, medications must be prescribed with caution, because patients with personality disorders develop drug dependence very quickly.

Neuroleptics play a leading role in drug treatment - taking into account the symptoms, doctors prescribe drugs such as Haloperidol and its derivatives. It is this drug that is most popular among doctors for personality disorder, as it reduces manifestations of anger.

In addition, other medications are prescribed:

• Flupectinsol successfully copes with suicidal thoughts.
• "Olazapine" helps with affective instability and anger; paranoid symptoms and anxiety; has a beneficial effect on suicidal tendencies.
• - mood stabilizer - successfully copes with depression and anger.
• Lamotrigine and Topiromate reduce impulsivity, anger, and anxiety.
• Amitriptin also treats depression.

In 2010, doctors were researching these drugs, but the long-term effect is unknown, as there is a risk of side effects. At the same time, the National Institute of Health in the UK released an article in 2009 that said that experts do not recommend prescribing medications if a mixed personality disorder occurs. But when treating concomitant diseases, drug therapy can give a positive result.

Psychotherapy and mixed personality disorder

Psychotherapy plays a leading role in treatment. True, this process is long and requires regularity. In most cases, patients achieved stable remission within 2-6 years, which lasted at least two years.

DBT (dialectical is a technique that was developed by Marsha Linehan in the 90s. It is aimed primarily at treating patients who have experienced psychological trauma and cannot recover from it. According to the doctor, pain cannot be prevented, but suffering can be. Specialists help their patients develop a different line of thinking and behavior.This will help in the future to avoid stressful situations and prevent decompensation.

Psychotherapy, including family therapy, is aimed at changing interpersonal relationships between the patient and his family and friends. Treatment usually lasts about a year. It helps eliminate mistrust, manipulativeness, and arrogance of the patient. The doctor looks for the root of the patient’s problems and points them out to him. For patients with narcissism syndrome (narcissism and narcissism), which also refers to personality disorders, a three-year psychoanalysis is recommended.

Personality disorder and driver's license

Are the concepts of “mixed personality disorder” and “driving license” compatible? Indeed, sometimes such a diagnosis can prevent the patient from driving a car, but in this case everything is individual. The psychiatrist must determine which types of disorders predominate in the patient and what their severity is. Only on the basis of these factors will a specialist make the final “vertikt”. If the diagnosis was made years ago in the military, it makes sense to visit the doctor's office again. Mixed personality disorder and a driver's license sometimes don't interfere with each other at all.

Limitations in the patient's life

Patients usually do not have problems finding employment in their specialty, and they interact with society quite successfully, although in this case everything depends on the severity of pathological traits. If a diagnosis of “mixed personality disorder” occurs, restrictions cover almost all areas of a person’s life, since he is often not allowed to join the army or drive a car. However, therapy helps smooth out these rough edges and live like a completely healthy person.