what are the 10 personality disorders?

There are ten recognized personality disorders, grouped into three clusters: Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal Cluster B (Dramatic/Erratic): Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive

how many personality disorders are there?

There are 10 officially recognized personality disorders defined in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).

Do psychiatrists treat personality disorders?

Yes. Psychiatrists are crucial in the treatment of personality disorders. They often provide the initial diagnosis, manage any co-occurring conditions with medication, and collaborate with therapists on a comprehensive treatment plan. You can find an expert personality disorder psychiatrist at Clarity Clinic.

Are there medications for personality disorders?

There are no specific medications designed to cure personality disorders themselves. However, medication is often used effectively to manage severe symptoms (like mood swings, anxiety, or impulsivity) or to treat co-occurring mental illnesses (like depression or anxiety).

Can you live a normal life with personality disorder?

Yes. While personality disorders can create significant life challenges, specialized treatment can help individuals learn to manage symptoms, stabilize relationships, and lead stable, fulfilling lives.

What kind of doctor diagnoses personality disorders?

A personality disorder is primarily diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Our expert psychiatrists at Clarity Clinic perform comprehensive diagnostic evaluations.

What do I do if I think I have a personality disorder?

The best thing it to schedule a diagnostic consultation with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. Accurate diagnosis is the crucial first step toward getting the specialized treatment you need. Contact Clarity Clinic today to book an appointment.

Where to get a personality disorder test?

You can get a professional personality disorder assessment (often referred to as a personality disorder test) by scheduling an evaluation with one of our qualified clinicians. We offers comprehensive diagnostic services by experienced psychiatrists, PA-Cs, and NPs.

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Personality Disorder Treatment & Testing

At Clarity Clinic, our specialized personality disorder treatments are focused on helping you build a life of stability and fulfillment. Our dedicated team, including expert personality disorder psychiatrists, provide comprehensive care built on empathy and expertise. Whether you need a comprehensive personality disorder test to achieve clarity or a robust therapeutic plan for specialized treatment, we are here to support you in understanding, managing, and building a foundation for lasting well-being.

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What is a Personality Disorder?

A personality disorder is a mental health condition involving long-term, inflexible patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that differ significantly from cultural expectations. These patterns affect how a person relates to others, manages emotions, and perceives themselves.

Individuals with personality disorders often struggle in relationships, work, and daily functioning. Common types include borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, and avoidant personality disorders, each with distinct symptoms and challenges.

Personality disorders often stem from deeply rooted beliefs and limited self-awareness, which means those who have these disorders don’t see a need or a desire for change and therefore are hard to treat. Many people with these disorders often blame others or themselves excessively and have trouble forming healthy interpersonal connections.

Research from the National Institute of Health estimates that around 24 million Americans live with a personality disorder. Many have a history of trauma, emotional neglect, or dysfunctional family environments, which can contribute to the development and persistence of these conditions.

Common Personality Disorder Symptoms

While each personality disorder has its own diagnostic criteria, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) states that all personality disorders share the following fundamental symptom areas:

Distorted Thinking: Unusual or inaccurate perceptions of oneself, others, or events.
Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing or expressing emotions effectively.
Interpersonal Challenges: Ongoing struggles with forming or maintaining relationships.
Poor Impulse Control: Acting on urges without considering consequences.
Inflexible Behavior Patterns: Rigid and unchanging thoughts or behaviors across situations.
Functional Impairment: Personality traits that cause distress or interfere with daily life, work, or relationships.
Long-Term Stability: Patterns that are enduring and typically trace back to adolescence or early adulthood.

Personality Disorder Clusters

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters or groups based on similar patterns of behavior and emotional responses. Each cluster reflects distinct traits that influence how a person relates to others and copes with the world around them.

Below is a brief overview of the three personality disorder clusters and the specific disorders that fall within each category.

Cluster A

Cluster A is considered the odd and eccentric cluster with characteristics that include social awkwardness, withdrawal, or general avoidance of social settings. These personality disorders include

Paranoid Personality Disorder: a person has the belief that others dislike them or are out to get them and utilize defense mechanisms to protect themselves by treating others badly. As a result, they tend to be guarded, as well as critical, suspicious, defensive, and jealous of others, and therefore have trouble maintaining relationships
Schizoid Personality Disorder: a pattern of detachment from social situations and tend to like solitary activities and avoid intimate or social relationships. This person can seem aloof or indifferent and have difficulty showing emotions.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: features of this disorder include paranoia and superstition and people tend to be guarded or hypersensitive. People with schizotypal disorder tend to be described as odd or eccentric and have very few interpersonal relationships except with close family.

Cluster B

Cluster B personality disorders include traits that can be characterized as dramatic, overly emotional, or erratic. This often involves unstable moods, poor impulse control, and difficulty in relationships. These personality disorders include:

Borderline Personality Disorder: characterized by a pervasive pattern of emotional and relationship instability, with a lack of a positive view of self. People with borderline personality disorder often see the world in extremes — either good or bad — and therefore struggle with intimacy and interpersonal relationships, as those who are close to people with borderline personality struggle with their extreme mood changes and irrationality. This disorder is also characterized by impulsive behaviors and inappropriate anger.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: includes personality traits of grandiosity, superiority, or egocentricity and tends to lack empathy. While people with narcissistic personality disorder present as confident and superior, underneath they have a pervasive feeling of inferiority and vulnerability that must be defended against. This disorder is characterized by strong reactions to criticism, disregarding others’ feelings, a sense of entitlement, and the belief that they are right.
Histrionic Personality Disorder: people with this disorder seek attention and need constant reassurance and praise. They tend to place high importance on physical attractiveness and are seen as self-centered, as well as dramatic. Additionally, people with histrionic personality disorder tend to be jealous and manipulative and can experience extreme mood changes based on how people react to them.
Antisocial Personality Disorder: this is the only disorder that must be diagnosed after the age of 18. People who struggle with antisocial personality disorder react negatively to social norms or roles, typically through impulsiveness or aggression. People with this disorder are prone to manipulation, lying, and theft, as well as violence toward people and animals, and may feel no remorse or guilt for their actions. They have a strong need for admiration and attention and react negatively when they feel rejected.

Cluster C

Cluster C personality disorders include traits of being anxious and fearful. These individuals often fear criticism, rejection, or rely heavily on others for decision making. They can also be obsessed with order and perfection. These personality disorders include:

Avoidant Personality Disorder: tend to view themselves as inferior or unattractive and lack poor social skills, because of fear of rejection or embarrassment. Unlike schizoid personality disorder, in which they prefer solitary activities and interests, those with avoidant personality disorder have a strong desire for intimacy and companionship but their fear of connection prevents them from establishing these relationships
Dependent Personality Disorder: is characterized by a fear of being alone and a belief they are not capable of making decisions and lack self-confidence for self-sufficiency. People with dependent personality disorder are submissive and rely on others to make decisions for them. They require reassurance and acknowledgment and have a fear of rejection.
Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder: A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with rules, order, and perfection and the need to control others. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder have difficulty delegating things because of a need for perfectionism and fear that it won’t be done correctly. These people tend to be self-critical and have difficulty expressing emotions because of fear of vulnerability. (this is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder)

Personality Disorder Treatment at Clarity Clinic

At Clarity Clinic, our experienced personality disorder psychiatrists and clinicians guide you through a comprehensive testing and treatment process that is tailored to your unique needs. We combine empathetic support with a range of evidence-based interventions to help you achieve lasting stability.

Our treatment plan is built on a foundation of proven therapeutic approaches, which often includes a combination of the following services:

Specialized Psychotherapy

You will work with highly trained therapists who specialize in personality disorders, fostering a strong therapeutic alliance in a safe environment. Key modalities we utilize include:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This well-established therapy focuses on building emotional regulation skills and enhancing interpersonal effectiveness to help you navigate intense emotions and achieve stability.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and reframe negative thought patterns and behaviors, promoting healthier ways of coping with daily stressors.

Comprehensive Support Systems

Beyond individual therapy, we offer support services that engage your social circle and facilitate healing within a community context.

Group Therapy: Connect with peers in a supportive environment to share experiences, learn new skills, and foster a sense of belonging and growth.
Couples and Family Counseling: Because personality disorders impact loved ones, our marriage and family therapists work with couples and families to help them understand the condition and work through relationship challenges connected to the disorder.

Targeted Medication Management

While there is no medication specifically approved to treat personality disorders themselves, medications can be prescribed to manage co-occurring symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, or impulsivity.

Medication Management: Our psychiatrists provide medication management to address these co-occurring conditions and support overall stability. Having the proper medication management can also help make psychotherapy more effective for personality disorders.

Get Expert Mental Health Support for Personality Disorders

You deserve clarity, confidence, and lasting stability. At Clarity Clinic, our experienced personality disorder psychiatrists in Chicago provide accurate diagnoses and evidence-based treatment tailored to your individual needs.

Our mental health clinics offer specialized expertise and compassionate care to help you better understand your symptoms and build healthier relationships. Don’t face these challenges alone — we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Call (312) 815-9660 or use our simple online booking tool to schedule your virtual or in-person consultation with a trusted psychiatrist near you.

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