Today we are going to learn about Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders.
This is the last cluster of personality disorders, Cluster C. They are specificially characterized by intense fearful behavior. The last two posts covered Cluster A, characterized by odd and eccentric behavior, and Cluster B, characterized by dramatic and overly emotional behavior (mayoclinic). If you are curious more about the difference between OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, we will discuss that next week!
First up we have Avoidant Personality Disorder. "It is estimated that about 1% of the American population is living with avoidant personality disorder (luxury)." Another interesting fact is that symptoms for this disorder may decrese as one ages (luxury).
Some symptoms are:
- Too sensitive to criticism or rejection
- Avoidance of work activities that require interpersonal contact
- Socially inhibited, timid and isolated, avoiding new things
- Fear of disapproval, embarrassment or ridicule
(mayoclinic)
Treatment is generally therapy that focuses on helping them interact in daily situations. This may include learning how to start converstaions and how to address specific issues they may have with others.
The second disorder we are going to discuss is Dependent Personality Disorder. This disorder may seem extremely close to Borderline Personality Disorder because of shared symptoms and an accurate diagnosis may take some time (valiantrecovery). It is an extremely common mental health disorder and affects men and women almost equally (valiantrecovery).
The symptoms may include but are not limited to:
- Excessive dependence on others and feeling the need to be taken care of
- Submissive or clingy behavior toward others
- Fear of having to provide self-care or fend for yourself if left alone
- Lack of self-confidence, requiring excessive advice and reassurance from others to make even small decisions
- Difficulty disagreeing with others, fearing disapproval
- Urgent need to start a new relationship when a close one has ended
(mayoclinic)
Psychotherapy is the main type of helpful treatments. Because this disorder may also cause depression and anxiety, medications to treat those disorders may be perscribed but medication does not solve dependent personality disorder (webmd).
The last disorder we are going to look at today is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder or OCPD. Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with this disorder and 2-7% of the population have this disorder making it the most common personality disorder (healthline).
Common sypmtoms are:
- need to keep everything in order and under control
- set unrealistically high standards for yourself and others
- think yours is the best way of doing things
- worry about you or others making mistakes
- feel very anxious if things aren’t 'perfect'
(mind)
This disorder is hard because those who struggle with it often fail to notice that anything is wrong (healthline). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Medication and Relaxation Therapy are the most common treatments for this disorder (healthline).
The best way that you can help someone with a personality disorder is to remember that this is a part of them. Arguing with them is not going to fix it and many personality disorders are likely permanant, although symptoms can decrease in severity with the right treatment (healthline). Accept that you do not have the power to change this person and it is not your responsibility to do so.
If you are struggling with any of the above symptoms, please consult a liscened psychiatrist. It is okay to not be okay. Get help if you need it and remember that you are not alone.
Learn More:
1. American Addiction Centers Editorial Staff. “Personality Disorders.” Luxury.Rehabs.com, Rehabs.com, 12 Aug. 2016, luxury.rehabs.com/personality-disorders/.
2. “BLOG.” Canada Top Inpatient Drug Rehab Center, valiantrecovery.ca/5-facts-about-dependent-personality-disorder.html.
3. Goldberg, Joseph. “Dependent Personality Disorder.” WebMD, WebMD, 18 Feb. 2018, www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/dependent-personality-disorder#2.
4. “Personality Disorders.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 23 Sept. 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463.
5. “Types of Personality Disorder.” Mind, www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/types-of-personality-disorder/.
6. Watson, Kathryn. “Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).” Healthline.com, Healthline Media, 12 May 2017, www.healthline.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder#outlook.
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