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Writer's pictureHannah Gardner

Types of Emotional and Impulsive Personality Disorders

Today we will discuss Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders!

Last post we talked about four types of personality disorders. There are quite a bit more personality disorders we need to discuss. This week we are talking about Cluster B personality disorders or the Emotional and Impulsive personality disorders. Personality disorders are important to understand because it goes beyond action, it is learning about how a person thinks and views the world.

 

First off we are going to discuss Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD. This disorder is also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder or EUPD. This disorder is currently the most commonly diagnosed personality disorder (nami).

Some of the symptoms of BPD include but are not limited to:

- Unstable or fragile self-image

- Unstable and intense relationships, often resulting from a lack of trust

- Up and down moods, often as a reaction to interpersonal stress

- Suicidal behavior or threats of self-injury often to manipulate others

- Intense fear of being alone or abandoned

- Frequent, intense displays of anger

(mayoclinic)

- Not having a strong sense of who you are or what you want from life, with your ideas about this changing significantly depending on who you're with

- Acting impulsively or doing things that could harm them

(mind)

When someone with this disorder is experiencing extreme stress they may also experience:

- psychotic experiences: seeing or hearing things others don't

- disassociation: 'checking out' and forgetting things after they've happened

(mind)

This disorder is treatable with a combination of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, inner child therapy, counseling, support from loved ones and occasionally medication (nami).

 

Secondly, we are going to address is Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). This disorder is more common in women than in men. People with this disorder also generally are able to function in daily social situations fine (psychologytoday).

Someone with this disorder may experience:

- Excessively emotional, dramatic or sexually provocative to gain attention

- Easily influenced by others

- Shallow, rapidly changing emotions

- Excessive concern with physical appearance

- Thinks relationships with others are closer than they really are

(mayoclinic)

"The recommended form of treatment for histrionic personality disorder is psychotherapy (psychologytoday)." Many times those struggling with this disorder go in for treatment for symptoms of depression from a failed relationship (psychologytoday).

 

Lastly, we are going to take a look at Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Many struggling with NPD are using this grandiose image of themselves to hide a deep insecurity about who they are (helpguide).

Some of the symptoms of NPD are:

- Belief that you're special and more important than others

- Failure to recognize others' needs and feelings

- Exaggeration of achievements or talents

- Expectation of constant praise and admiration

- Arrogance

- Often taking advantage of others

- Envy of others or belief that others envy you

(mayoclinic)

Due to the nature of NPD, those struggling with it have a hard time admitting that there is a problem. "Mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotic drugs are sometimes prescribed in severe cases" but psychotherapy proves to be very effective as well (helpguide).

 

The best thing you can do for yourself when in relationships with people who have these disorders is to set healthy boundaries. Make sure that you stick to them because they will generally try and push your boundaries. Also do not encourage their behaviors. For example, a narcissist needs constant reassurance, do not make it your job to fulfill that need (helpguide).

If anyone is struggling with any of these disorders, please remember that is it okay to ask for help. You are not alone and you can learn to control your impulses!

 

Learn More:

  1. American Addiction Centers Editorial Staff. “Personality Disorders.” Luxury.Rehabs.com, Rehabs.com, 12 Aug. 2016, luxury.rehabs.com/personality-disorders/.

  2. “Histrionic Personality Disorder.” PsychologyToday, Sussex Publishers, LLC, 2020, www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/histrionic-personality-disorder.

  3. Mattocks, Nikki. Borderline Personality Disorder Myths and Facts. NAMI, 11 Oct. 2019, www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/October-2019/Borderline-Personality-Disorder-Myths-and-Facts.

  4. “Narcissistic Personality Disorder.” HelpGuide.org, 16 Feb. 2020, www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm.

  5. “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.

  6. “Types of Personality Disorder.” Mind, www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/types-of-personality-disorder/#BorderlinePersonalityDisorderBPD.

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