Personality disorders are conditions in which a person struggles to deal with other people and acts in a manner that is inflexible and not well-suited to coping with the demands and changes of life. Personality disorders typically begin during adolescence or early adulthood, remain stable over time and create distress or impairment in a person’s life.

Patients with personality disorders have a long pattern of inner experience and behavior that differs significantly from what is expected in their culture. This causes them to think and behave in ways that are considered socially distressing. Despite these difficulties, patients usually believe their thoughts and actions are correct and are unable to recognize their disorder.

There are 10 major types of personality disorders including paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD) and avoidant personality disorder (APD). In many cases, personality disorders are not diagnosed until years after they begin. They often continue through adulthood, and in some cases become less prominent as a person reaches middle age. However, in other cases, they may become more prominent.

There are no specific tests that are used to diagnose personality disorders. A physician will instead ask questions about a patient’s well-being and perform a complete physical examination, including a thorough medical history. In many cases, a physician will need to talk to a patient and/or their friends and relatives several times over a period of time before a diagnosis of personality disorder can be made. If a primary care physician suspects the presence of a personality disorder, the patient will likely be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Personality disorders can be especially difficult to treat, as patients with these conditions often struggle to trust and confide in a therapist. They may react angrily to perceived criticism and suddenly discontinue treatment. Nonetheless, treatments such as psychotherapy can have a significant impact in improving a patient’s quality of life.