There are 10 major types of personality disorders. Each is categorized in one of three different “clusters” based on its characteristic symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) cautions that these categories have significant limitations, and that individuals often have a combination of the different personality disorders.

Cluster A disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior. They often become less prominent with age and include:

• Paranoid personality disorder. Patients with this disorder frequently view the actions of others as intentionally threatening or demeaning, and suspect others of lying or trying to exploit them. People with paranoid personality disorder tend to be distrustful, unforgiving, emotionally detached, jealous and prone to outbursts.
  
  
• Schizoid personality disorder. Marked by introverted, withdrawn, solitary and emotionally detached behaviors. People with this disorder are often self-absorbed and tend to disregard others’ opinions. They fear intimacy with others, including members of their own family.
  
  
• Schizotypal personality disorder. Characterized by a pattern of peculiarities, such as odd or eccentric ways of speaking and dressing. People with this disorder may have trouble forming relationships and may have extreme anxiety in social situations. They may have trouble conversing appropriately with others and may talk to themselves. They may also display magical thinking, believing they can influence people and events with their thoughts.

Cluster B disorders are marked by dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior. They often become less prominent with age and include:

• Antisocial personality disorder. Patients typically act out conflicts while ignoring rules of acceptable social conduct. They tend to be impulsive, irresponsible, belligerent and callous, and may have violent, aggressive relationships. They often lack respect for others, persistently steal or lie, and feel no remorse about the effects of their behavior on others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to be at high risk for substance abuse problems.
  
  
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD). Characterized by instability in several areas of a person’s life, including relationships, behavior, mood and self-image. Patients have difficulty controlling emotions and impulses. They may also have a great fear of abandonment that leads to an excessive dependency on others, while at the same time their behavior tends to push people away.
  
  
• Histrionic personality disorder. Characterized by an excessive need for others’ approval and constant, sudden shifts in emotions. Patients are fixated on their physical appearance and may use provocative clothing and behavior to gain attention. In many cases, these behaviors result in little more than a false sense of intimacy with others.
  
  
• Narcissistic personality disorder. Marked by an inflated sense of self-importance, intense focus on achievements and talents and fantasies of success. Despite feelings of grandiosity, patients often fear failure and may complain of multiple physical symptoms. People with narcissistic personality disorder seek constant attention and engage in attention-getting behavior, but tend to exploit others.

Cluster C disorders are distinguished by anxious, fearful behavior. These disorders often become more prominent with age and include:

• Avoidant personality disorder (APD). Marked by a patient’s hypersensitivity to rejection or criticism and fear of becoming involved with others. Symptoms associated with this condition include excessive social discomfort, timidity and avoidance of social and work activities that involve interpersonal contact. Patients are usually upset by an inability to form close relationships outside the family circle.
  
  
• Dependent personality disorder. Patients often exhibit a pattern of dependent and submissive behavior and rely on others to make major decisions. They lack self-confidence, are easily hurt by criticism and disapproval, and seek constant reassurance and advice. They will frequently tolerate poor treatment from other people in order to maintain relationships.
  
  
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Marked by levels of perfectionism and aspiration that are so high that they may struggle to make decisions or complete tasks. Patients with this disorder are never satisfied with their achievements and tend to take on increasing levels of responsibility. Although conscientious and dependable people, they are usually inflexible, which makes it difficult to share responsibility with others or to adapt to changed circumstances. They may feel isolated or helpless when their feelings are not under strict control or when events are unpredictable. This condition should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is an anxiety disorder that shares some of the same symptoms but is considered more disabling.  

Patients who have some symptoms of various personality disorders but not enough symptoms of any one disorder to warrant a specific diagnosis may be diagnosed with a personality disorder not otherwise specified. This designation also includes passive aggressive behavior – a personality trait that no longer is officially recognized as a disorder by the APA.