Personality disorders usually refer to personality traits that are extreme or that cause enough difficulty in a person’s life to interfere with daily functioning to the point of “disabling.”

A true personality disorder is more severe than simple negative personality traits we all show at various times throughout our lives.

The medical definition of personality disorder is:

•    Long-term, pervasive, inflexible patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are not well adapted or do not fit within the range of behavior considered normal.  These patterns of “abnormal” thoughts and behaviors lead to significant problems in the ability to reason and/or interact with others and/or to behave appropriately.

A personality disorder can appear at any time in a person’s life, including old age.  It is estimated that 10% of older adults living at home may have a personality disorder.  The figure is higher for older adults living in nursing homes.

Personality disorders categorized according to the types of behaviors include:

•    Paranoid
•    Schizoid
•    Schizotypal
•    Antisocial
•    Borderline
•    Histrionic
•    Narcissistic
•    Avoidant
•    Dependent
•    Obsessive-compulsive
•    Passive-aggressive
•    Depressive

What is paranoid behavior?

•    People always suspicious of others, and who often become irritable and hostile.  

What is schizoid behavior?

•    People not usually interested in social relationships and behave oddly or in ways that keep them isolated and separated from others

What is schizotypal behavior?

•    People who have strange, unusual, or inappropriate behaviors or beliefs that lead to having conflicts with other people including caregivers.

What is antisocial behavior?

•    Shows little regard or respect for standard rules and laws of society, often do not seem to have a conscience or care about others

What is borderline behavior?

•    Unstable emotions that lead to unstable relationships

What is histrionic behavior?

•    Over emotional and want to be the center of attention, often disorganized and lack inhibitions

What is narcissistic behavior?

•    Think they should have and are entitled to whatever they want, often act superior, self-important and arrogant, seem to not care about others.  Older narcissistic adults may appear hostile, extremely angry, paranoid, or depressed.

What is avoidant behavior?

•    Shy, inhibited and very sensitive to rejection and how others look at them

What is dependent behavior?

•    Rely completely or almost completely on others to make decisions and for support

What is obsessive-compulsive behavior?

•    Constantly worried about cleanliness and keeping everything in order, perfectionists that do not want to compromise especially when under stress

What is passive-aggressive behavior?

•    People who tend to resist authority or any demands placed on them by not taking any action or procrastinating.  They often criticize and resent others.

What is depressive behavior?

•    People who view life as always gloomy and miserable with no hope of change in the future, often have low self-esteem and feel guilty, often have major or clinical depression in later life

It is important to realize that we may exhibit any or all of the symptoms of a personality disorder at different periods in our lives, however, a person with a true personality disorder is one who’s behaviors disrupt daily life to the point of being unable to function appropriately in society “consistently.”

Personality disorders are sometimes grouped into clusters that include:

•    Cluster A:  paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders; individuals with these conditions often appear odd or eccentric
•    Cluster B:  antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders; individuals with these disorders often appear dramatic, emotional, or erratic
•    Cluster C:  avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders; individuals often appear anxious or fearful