3.5 - Personality Disorders

Personality disorders describe a wide range of behaviour patterns that exhibit a significant departure from the social standards and expectations inherent within that individual's culture. These behaviour patterns become stable over time and lead to distress and/or an impairment in functioning.  

There are several types of personality disorders including ‘Paranoid Personality Disorder' whereby a person is excessively suspicious of other's motives; ‘Antisocial Personality Disorder' whereby a person exhibits patterns of disregard for the rights of others; and ‘Narcissistic Personality Disorder' where a person exhibits a sense of grandiosity, the need for affirmation and a lack of empathy.

Generally the characteristics of a personality disorder could include:

• Detachment from family and associates and/or avoidance of social encounters;
• Histrionics such as unreasonable overreactions;
• Feelings of grandiosity; and/or
• Impulsiveness.

For more information see the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual For
Mental Disorder