Personality Disorders

• Borderline Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder described as a prolonged disturbance of personality function in a person, generally over the age of eighteen years, although it is also found in adolescents, characterized by depth and variability of moods.

• Schizotypal Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder that is characterized by a need for social isolation, odd behavior and thinking, and often unconventional beliefs.

• Paranoid Personality Disorder: is a condition characterized by excessive distrust and suspiciousness of others. This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing.

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder as "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Narcissism is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige. Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self centeredness.

• Histrionic Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriate seductiveness, usually beginning in early adulthood. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious.

• Antissocial Personality Disorder: is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. To be diagnosed, an individual must be age 18 or older, as well as have a documented history of a conduct disorder before the age of 15.

• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder: is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by a combination of such thoughts and behaviors.

• Avoidant Personality Disorder: is a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction.