Personality disorders are deeply ingrained, rigid ways of thinking and behaving that result in impaired relationships with others and often cause distress for the individual who experiences them. Many mental health professionals formally recognize 10 disorders that fall into three clusters, although there is known to be much overlap between the categories.
What Is Personality Disorders? (Plain Language Explanation)
Personality Disorders refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Personality Disorders
- Symptoms: The specific ways personality disorders shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen personality disorders
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When personality disorders occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Personality Disorders
- Personality Disorders is far more common than most people realize
- Personality Disorders is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with personality disorders see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about personality disorders is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing personality disorders, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.