n. noun
/per·son·al·i·ty/ /dis·or·der/
The official psychiatric manual, the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition), defines a personality disorder as an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that differs markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment. Personality disorders are a long-standing and maladaptive pattern of perceiving and responding to other people and to stressful circumstances.
Types of Personality disorders
– Avoident Personality Disorder: Fearful of rejection and extremely shy.
– Borderline Personality Disorder: Exterme mood swings, inappropriate friendships and relationships, sometimes burn or cut themselves on purpose and are more likely to threaten to kill themselves.
– Dependent Personality Disorder : Extreme fear of being alone, have difficulty making decisions and are more likely women than men.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Imagine unrealistic personal success, are manipulative in relationships and care mainly for themselves.
Troubled teens who suffer from personality disorders such as these, are more likely to develop negative behaviors such as, sexually acting out and/or drug addiction.
