An overview of the 10 personality disorders

Key points:

• Cluster A personality disorders are categorised as ‘odd’ or ‘eccentric’

• Cluster B personality disorders are classified as ‘dramatic’ or ‘erratic’

• Cluster C personality disorders are referred to as ‘anxious’ or ‘fearful’

Of the 10 personality disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), none have a ‘cure.’

The difference between a personality trait, personality disorder or other disorder which may impact personality, has been hotly debated and is key in a personality disorder diagnosis.

Personality disorders can develop as a result of abuse, parenting, environmental factors and research shows that brain chemistry can play a significant part in the onset of an inflexible and life-long personality disorder.

Cluster A personality disorders are considered to be ‘odd’ or ‘eccentric’ and overlap with many of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia, however, are not the result of, nor result in schizophrenia itself. Cluster A includes: paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.

Cluster B personality disorders are classified as ‘dramatic’ or ‘erratic’ and overlap with Machiavellian, criminal or socio/psychopathic behaviours or traits. Cluster B includes: antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.

Cluster C personality disorders are classified as ‘anxious’ personality disorders and symptoms tend to overlap with agoraphobia, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Cluster C personality disorders are: avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

This article will offer an overview for each of the 10 personality disorders, categorised by the respective cluster.

Cluster A

Paranoid personality disorder

People with paranoid personality disorder (PPD) will have a very tough time building or maintaining relationships with others, as they will often suspect people of (or be waiting for them to) betray them or negatively impact their life. People with PPD may be quick to react to simple things in major ways or feel that appropriate criticism should be taken to heart.

Schizoid personality disorder

Schizoid personality disorder (SzPD) is characterised by seclusion and a lack of desire to build or maintain platonic or romantic relationships. Whereas Asperger’s syndrome and other similar conditions limit the ability for people to express how they feel, those living with SzPD are unable to really feel, let alone react, to anything.

People with SzPD tend to experience a very poor quality of life and find themselves lost in internal fantasies, unable to care about the world around them or how they are perceived. 

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Whereas SzPD has many of the ‘negative’ symptoms of schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) carries with it many of the ‘positive’ symptoms, such as unusual patterns of speech, eccentric clothing, mystical or magical thinking including ‘ideas of reference’ (thinking that different events are connected to things that they, themselves, have experienced) and difficulty communicating.

Cluster B

Antisocial personality disorder

A diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) can only come after a prior diagnosis of a conduct disorder, which is issued for serious criminal activity or intent in adolescence. Those with ASPD lack empathy and remorse and hold very self-serving desires, with ASPD more commonly known as sociopathy or psychopathy.

Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is similar to ASPD, as it is characterised by impulsivity, manipulation, emotional outbursts and self-serving or self-harming behaviour. Those with BPD tend to sabotage their own relationships out of a self-aware fear that they will drive loved ones away through their behaviour.

Histrionic personality disorder

People with histrionic personality disorder (HPD) are characterised by an obsessive need for attention and a desire to feel wanted at all times. Those with HPD are often incredibly insecure despite their expressive behaviour and may have developed the disorder as a coping mechanism for abuse or trauma.

Narcissistic personality disorder

Similarly to other Cluster B personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is diagnosed based on symptoms of a grandiose and self-serving attitude, with little respect or care for others. People with NPD may fail to maintain relationships or seem cruel due to a restricted sense of empathy.

Cluster C

Avoidant personality disorder

Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) shares traits of other personality disorders, such as SzPD and BPD, in that people with AVPD tend to avoid social situations wherever possible out of a desire to be appreciated and a permanent fear that they will be hated.

Dependent personality disorder

Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is similar to BPD as those with DPD feel incapable of living independently, yet struggle with relationships and self-esteem. The key difference between DPD and BPD is those with BPD respond to symptoms with rage, whereas those with DPD respond meekly and with uncertainty.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) shares similar traits with OCD, but the two are separate disorders. People with OCD are self-aware of their ritualistic compulsions, but do not wish to act on them of their own accord. People with OCPD have an obsession with the rules and in order, lacking awareness for how their rigid attitudes and obsessive behaviours may upset others. Famous psychologist Sigmund Freud’s depiction of the anally retentive person is now attributed to OCPD.

Mental health support organisations and helplines

• Beyond Blue online resources or helpline: 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• Life Without Barriers
• Black Dog Institute
• Headspace

To search an extensive list of mental health support providers and professionals in your State and Territory, use Disability Support Guide’s Provider Finder Tool.

Related content:
Taking care of your mental health when living with a disability
Mental health and the NDIS
Mind matters: Mental health when living with disability