Personality disorders in the DSM-5 are categorized into 3 separate clusters; Cluster A, B, and C. Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by perceived eccentric behaviors and atypical thinking patterns. Those with Cluster A personality disorders may appear cold, distant, untrusting, or disorganized.
Cluster A Personality Disorders include:
Paranoid Personality Disorder - key traits may include but are not limited to pervasive distrust of others, unjustified recurrent suspicion of others' intentions, loyalty/and/or faithfulness in a romantic or sexual context, perceiving innocent remarks or non-threatening situations as personal insults or attacks, and tendency to hold grudges
Schizoid Personality Disorder - key traits may include but are not limited to a lack of interest or pleasure in developing, maintaining, or participating in social relationships, including with family members, an inability to take pleasure in most activities, and a preference for solitude
Schizotypal Personality Disorder - key traits may include but are not limited to "magical thinking" (the belief that you can control people or events with your thoughts), the belief that daily or casual events or incidents contain hidden messages meant only for you, social anxiety, and discomfort with close relationships
Ongoing difficulties adapting in 2 or more areas of life (areas of life may include social, physical, educational, routine, financial, etc.)
Symptoms have a severe negative impact on one's ability to function on a daily basis.
Symptomatic patterns that have developed over time
The presence of comorbid (or co-occurring) mental health conditions, and/or trauma
The causes of personality disorders have genetic and environmental influences. More specifically, people are typically born with a genetic predisposition for certain personality disorders that are then 'triggered' by environmental influences - specifically childhood trauma.
There are no cures for personality disorders, but there are effective treatments. Some treatments include but are not limited to:
Psychopharmacology (Medicine)
Psychotherapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Group Therapy
Psychoeducation (education for the individual and their support system about their condition and needs)
Holistic (focusing on the wellness of an entire person; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually)
Multimodal (incorporating multiple methods to optimize treatment)
SOURCES:
“Personality Disorders - Cluster a Notes.” Osmosis From Elsevier, www.osmosis.org/notes/Personality_disoders_-_Cluster_A. Accessed 31 Dec. 2022.
“Personality Disorders - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 23 Sept. 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463.
“What Causes Personality Disorders?” American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/topics/personality-disorders/causes. Accessed 31 Dec. 2022.
“What Is Cluster a Personality Disorder?” WebMD, 21 May 2021, www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-cluster-a-personality-disorder.
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