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Personality is the way of thinking, feeling and behaving that makes a person different from other people. An individual’s personality is influenced by experiences, environment (surroundings, life situations) and inherited characteristics. A person’s personality typically stays the same over time. 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.1
There are 10 specific types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are long-term patterns of behavior and inner experiences that differs significantly from what is expected. The pattern of experience and behavior begins by late adolescence or early adulthood and causes distress or problems in functioning. Without treatment, personality disorders can be long-lasting. Personality disorders affect at least two of these areas:
Read more on symptoms & treatment
Conspiracy theories, which explain events or a set of circumstances as the result of secret plot by usually powerful and malevolent groups, are quite common. One study reported in JAMA estimated that about half of Americans believe at least one medical conspiracy theory, such as those relating to cancer cures, vaccines or cell phones. Research has provided some understanding about why people are drawn to conspiracy theories and what makes some people more likely to believe than others.
Coronavirus has taken the lives of more than 130,000 Americans and it continues devastating communities across the nation. It has also drastically changed the way families and friends can grieve their losses—those lost to COVID-19 and deaths from other causes that are also continuing during the pandemic.
Good mental health means emotional, social and psychological well-being, healthy relationships, effective functioning and productive activities, and an ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity. One approach that has been shown to foster mental well-being is focusing on gratitude. Many studies have found an association between being more grateful and a greater sense of overall well-being.
National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. Family Connections is a 12-week program for relatives with a loved one with borderline personality disorder. Available in person and via conference call.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
I’m concerned that my friend may have a personality disorder. I don’t think she’ll consider having an evaluation or getting help. What can I do?
People with personality disorders often have a hard time taking responsibility for their feelings and behaviors. They sometimes even blame others for their problems. However, each of them is suffering and is aware that their life is not going well. Approaching a friend about her painful feelings or the frustrations and disappointments in her life, and offering to listen, might be a way to help her consider treatment. If you have had a successful experience in therapy, share that with your friend, even if it wasn’t necessarily for “personality problems” (an off-putting term for many people). Most people with personality disorders enter treatment with another problem, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, a job loss, a romantic break-up, etc. The challenge is to get your friend “in the door,” so to speak, not to commit to long-term treatment at the beginning. Read More
My bother has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I want to be supportive and help him, but it has been extremely difficult to deal with his anger, aggressiveness and paranoia. How can I help him without feeling abused and hurt myself?
People with borderline personality disorder have significant problems in relationships. On the one hand, they can be very needy and clingy in relationships. On the other hand, they push people away because they are insecure themselves and distrust others. They would rather be the one who leaves than the one who is abandoned. To be able to tolerate the borderline person’s anger and aggression, family members must appreciate that the person is reacting out of a sense of weakness and suffering. That is not to say that family members should accept anger and abuse directed at them – limits must be set. Family members must be able to walk away, if necessary, from a situation for their own good, and without guilt. To help a person with borderline personality disorder people need to respect themselves enough to protect themselves. If you let yourself be abused, you will react with anger, push your brother away and confirm his suspicion that you do not love him (enough). Read More
About the Expert:
Andrew Skokol, M.D. Research Professor, University of Arizona
Maria, a single woman without a job, sought therapy at age 33 for treatment of depressed mood, chronic thoughts of killing herself and having no social contact for many months. She had spent the last six months alone in her apartment, lying in bed, eating junk food, watching TV and doing more online shopping than she could afford.
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JULY 1, 2020
Social Media and Histrionic Personality DisorderPsychology Today
Histrionic personality disorder involves symptoms such as expressing excessive emotions, being provocative and seeking an excessive amount of attention in ordinary social situations. Together with narcissistic and borderline personality disorders, histrionic personality disorder is classified in DSM-5 personality disorder. It typically begins in early adulthood and someone with the disorder presents symptoms in a variety of contexts such as at hanging out with friends, while at work, in public or on social media.
JUNE 25, 2020
The Connection Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Chronic Pain: Implications of Stress and COVID-19 Practical Pain Management
Patients living with chronic pain conditions may benefit from screening for borderline personality disorder to improve health outcomes. Studies have shown that mental health disorders and chronic pain are inextricably connected. There is a bidirectional relationship between these conditions stemming from common neurological processes. Research indicates that individuals suffering from chronic pain have greater incidences of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and personality disorders. While there is documented evidence regarding mood disorders in chronic pain patients, personality disorders are not as well-studied in this population.
JUNE 11, 2020
What Recovery Means to Me as Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder?
The Mighty
I have lived with emotional intensity and sensitivity for as long as I can remember. I first discovered I was “different” when I was in grade one and began crying during a read aloud on the carpet. My teacher told my parents I was “too emotional” and that this was “abnormal” for a grade one student. What I think may have been helpful could have been educating the teacher with the fact that all children are unique and there are no “right” reasons to cry. And also probing further to see how within my sensitivity, there was a gift — I would often embrace other children crying in the playground — I could connect with others, welcoming the lonely kids into my recess games. As an adult, after many years of misdiagnosis, I was eventually diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits.
Physician Review
by Rachel Robitz, M.D.November 2018