Personality disorders describe a wide range of illnesses that have unique symptoms, signs and impacts on a person’s life. They are generally broken down into three groups or “clusters” (A, B and C), and each cluster has a few personality disorders that fall within it. The differences between each cluster are significant, and every person experiences mental health issues a little differently.

It’s important to remember that identifying mental health issues, like personality disorders, can be tricky. Most of the time, people don’t fit neatly into “categories”, “clusters” or “definitions”. Everyone has “personality”, so you may see behaviours and feelings described here that everyone has at times, but it doesn’t mean they have a disorder.

People with cluster B personality disorders may appear to be very emotional and dramatic in social situations, and react to feelings with impulsive behaviour. These may include:

• Antisocial personality disorder: Someone experiencing this may ignore and overstep the boundaries of others while struggling to feel remorse or acknowledge the consequences of their actions. They may also feel irritable or behave in a way that is aggressive.
• Borderline personality disorder: People experiencing this may struggle with intense and unstable emotions, relationships and self-image. They may also be very impulsive.
• Histrionic personality disorder: People experiencing this may feel and behave in a way that is highly emotional and dramatic in social situations. Others may view this behaviour as being insincere.
• Narcissistic personality disorder: People experiencing this may feel a strong sense of self-importance and rely on admiration from other people to feel good. They may also struggle with feelings of envy and find it difficult to feel empathy for other people at times.

Personality disorders are diagnosed when the way a person thinks, feels, or behaves impairs their ability to live a healthy life, or when it causes extreme distress for them or the people around them.

The signs and symptoms of personality disorders can be explained by a number of factors or other illnesses, and anyone at some point or another may feel or behave in these ways whether they have a mental health issue or not.

The difference between experiencing these symptoms and having a personality disorder is how extreme the symptoms are, how often they happen, and how much they affect your life or the lives of those around you. Everyone has “personality”, so you may see behaviours and feelings described here that everyone has at times.

Because most personality disorders are defined by how one relates to the people around them, the signs and symptoms are usually about how a person’s behaviours are affecting their relationships. Symptoms usually emerge when a person is in their teens or early adulthood.

People with a cluster B personality disorder may show some of the following symptoms:

• A pattern of not caring about the safety of self or others.
• A pattern of lying and manipulation.
• A pattern of behaviours/efforts to avoid being (or feeling) abandoned.
• A pattern of self harm and/or suicide attempts.
• Feeling “empty” or struggling to feel emotions.
• Exaggerated or “dramatic” emotional expression.
• A strong need to be the centre of attention in social situations.
• A strong need for praise and attention from others.
• A pattern of feeling or behaving in a way that seems “arrogant”.

Important: Because there are many types of personality disorders, the signs and symptoms vary widely.

Note: Substance use/abuse can commonly occur alongside personality disorders, as well as mood, anxiety and eating disorders.

The term “personality disorder” describes a number of different types of issues. How they are experienced will differ from person to person. Because each case is unique, the treatment will likely be unique for each individual.

In the case of personality disorders, getting help may include group or individual counselling or psychotherapy, learning coping strategies and/or ways to have more healthy and productive interactions and relationships with others. Medication may be prescribed to help treat other symptoms or complications of a personality disorder, like depression, anxiety or psychotic symptoms.

Because of the nature of personality disorders and how they affect relationships and how one interacts with others, it may take time to find the right mental health professional and treatment strategy.

Family members of someone who has a personality disorder may participate in therapy, support groups or benefit from learning about it and ways to support their loved one at home.

A person living with a personality disorder, like any other person, will benefit from maintaining wellness and having good supports in their life.