Definition

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by inflexible and distinctive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. This behavior tends to be different from the surrounding culture. This can cause someone who experiences a personality disorder to find it challenging to build relationships with other people and face daily problems in the way expected by the community around where they live. 

People with personality disorders can have a view of the world that is very different from those around them. This means that the person may find it difficult to participate in social, educational, and family activities, ultimately leading to limitations in relationships, social gatherings and the work and school environment. Furthermore, this can cause feelings of isolation, depression, and even anxiety.

Personality disorders tend to appear in adolescence and early adulthood. Symptoms can vary, depending on the type of personality disorder experienced. There are various clusters of personality disorders, one of which is cluster C personality disorder. Cluster C personality disorder presents a picture of feeling anxious and full of fear. This cluster consists of avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Causes

The exact cause of personality disorders is still unknown. However, genetic or hereditary factors and environmental influences such as childhood trauma are believed to have a significant influence on the incidence of personality disorders in a person. Personality disorders are believed to be a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences.

Risk factor

Although the exact cause of personality disorders is still unknown, several factors can increase a person's risk of experiencing a personality disorder, such as:

• Family history of personality disorders or other mental health disorders
• Growing up and being raised in an abusive family or experiencing traumatizing treatment during childhood
• Have been diagnosed with behavioral disorders in childhood
• Variations in chemicals and structures in the brain

Symptoms

Avoidant or Avoidant Personality Disorder

1. Too sensitive to criticism and rejection
2. Having feelings that you are not good enough, inferior, or unattractive
3. Socially inhibited, tends to be shy, and isolated
4. Tends to avoid new activities or meeting strangers
5. Excessive shyness in social situations and in personal relationships
6. Fear of being embarrassed, disapproved, or ridiculed

Dependent personality disorder

1. Excessive dependence on others and feeling the need for attention
2. Behavior that is submissive or very dependent and attached to other people
3. Fear of having to provide self-care or look after oneself if left alone
4. Lack of self-confidence, requiring excessive advice from others even to make small decisions
5. Having difficulty starting work or projects on your own due to a lack of self-confidence
6. Difficulty disagreeing or saying no to other people's requests or words
7. Tends to be afraid of disapproval
8. Have tolerance for harmful and harsh treatment, even though there are other options.
9. Feeling pressured to start a new relationship immediately when another relationship ends

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

1. Enjoys details, order and rules
2. Extreme perfectionism. This causes dysfunction and difficulties when perfection is not achieved correctly and causes a feeling of being unable to complete a job just because it does not reach the strict standards set by oneself.
3. The desire to control people, tasks, and situations and the inability to delegate tasks
4. Very focused and committed to the work or project being carried out, so he ignores friends or fun activities for the sake of the work or project
5. Inability to throw away damaged or worthless objects
6. Has a rigid and stubborn nature
7. Tends to be inflexible regarding ethics, morality, or values
8. Has strict and miserly control over budgeting and spending money

It should be noted that obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is different from obsessive-compulsive syndrome. Obsessive-compulsive syndrome is a type of anxiety disorder, not a personality disorder.

Diagnosis

If the doctor suspects you have a personality disorder, the doctor will do several things to make a diagnosis in the form:

Physical examination

The doctor will perform a physical examination and ask in-depth questions about your medical history. Sometimes, your symptoms may be related to your physical health problems. Doctors can also carry out supporting examinations in the form of laboratory tests to screen for alcohol and drug use.

Psychiatric evaluation

The doctor will carry out a psychiatric evaluation in the form of a discussion. During the discussion, the doctor will ask about your thoughts, feelings, and habits. This evaluation can be accompanied by a questionnaire to help confirm the diagnosis. If you allow, information from family or people closest to you about your condition can help make a diagnosis.

Diagnosis is based on DSM-5 or PPDGJ-3 criteria.

The doctor will make a diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria. Diagnosis can also be carried out in Indonesia using PPDGJ-3 as a guide.

Management

Personality disorders can be treated. Therapy, which is often used to treat personality disorders, can be a combination of talk therapy and medication. The provision of therapy is based on the type of personality disorder experienced, its severity, and life situation.

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is one of the therapies given to people with personality disorders. This therapy is carried out by professionals who have gone through a period of education to help people with mental disorders, such as psychiatrists or psychologists. In psychotherapy sessions, you can study your condition and discuss your moods, feelings, thoughts, and habits. You can learn how to deal with stress and manage your personality disorder.

Apart from giving therapy to people who experience personality disorders, therapy can also be given to families. It aims to provide support and education to families who are dealing with a family member with a personality disorder.

In addition to offering psychotherapy, treatment with medication is also an option. A physician may recommend antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or anti-anxiety medications. However, the use of these drugs must be closely monitored by a doctor as they can lead to notable side effects if not taken as prescribed.

Complications

Personality disorders can significantly impact the individual experiencing them and those in their social circle. They can create challenges in relationships, work, or academic settings. Moreover, they may contribute to feelings of social isolation and could potentially lead to substance abuse issues, including alcohol and drug misuse.

Prevention

Prevention that can be done to prevent personality disorders is by implementing a home education pattern that is firm, not harsh, avoiding harsh treatment of children, which can cause children to become traumatized. If your child shows symptoms of behavioral disorders that are not like those of other peers, immediately have your child examined.

When to see a doctor?

If you or someone close to you has signs or symptoms as described above, visit a doctor immediately. If personality disorders are not treated properly, this can cause significant problems in your life and can get worse in the future.