Every human being has a peculiar personality trait that comes from both life experiences and genetic makeup, and they are an essential part of what make humans who they are and how they interact with one another. As such, a personality disorder is a mental illness linked to personality, which is associated with long-lasting patterns of rigid behavior and thoughts that causes severe problems with relationships in personal and work life. In the past, this PD was assumed to be just an imbalanced personality and was not considered as a mental illness that is treatable. However, recent research has proved PD as a psychological disorder that can be diagnosed and treated. On this background, this focus to discuss personality disorder regarding its definition, the distinction between personality traits and having personality disorder, two personality disorder types, their features and symptoms. The paper will also indicate treatment and causes of PD, and my spirituality world of PD concepts and ideas into Christianity. Finally, a concluding paragraph.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines personality disorder as a lasting inner behavior and experience pattern, which markedly differs from the expectations of the culture of an individual. Moreover, personality disorder is inflexible and pervasive, has an onset in early adulthood or in adolescence, has over time stability, and causes impairment or distress (Rizeanu, 2015). According to DSM-5 criteria, all people exhibit personality features which vary according to an individual. Yes, I believe with the definition because it is given by DSM-5, which has been designed by a group of American Psychiatric Association, which deals with mental illnesses or disorders.
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As such, for clinical importance, DSM-5 has identified personality traits associated with PDs, and they include negative affectivity, antagonism, detachment, psychoticism, and disinhibition (Dobbert, 2013). These features result in grouping PDs into three clusters. Cluster A consist of paranoid, schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders, and persons with this type of PD appear eccentric or odd. Second is cluster B which includes borderline, narcissistic, antisocial and histrionic disorders, and people with this PD often seem emotional, dramatic or erratic. Third, is cluster C which consists of avoidant, obsessive-compulsive and dependent disorders, and persons with this PD frequently seem to be fearful or anxious (Rizeanu, 2015).
Two Personality Disorders their feature, Symptoms, and Differences
Paranoid personality disorder which is characterized by pervasive suspiciousness and distrust. Its symptoms include; suspects without basis that are sufficient, that other people are deceiving, exploiting or harming the patient; the persistent bearing of grudges; recurrent suspicions which are unjustified regarding a spouse or partner fidelity; difficulty of confiding with others; and preoccupation with doubts that are unjustified concerning friends’ trustworthiness or loyalty. On the other hand, the antisocial personality disorder is associated with a pervasive pattern of violation of and disregard for the rights of others and impulsivity (Dobbert, 2013). It features include; failure of conforming to social norms, deceitfulness, recklessness, irresponsibility, and lack of remorse (Dobbert, 2013).
Causes and Treatments of Personality Disorders
Researchers have identified some common causes of PDs to be multifactorial, but the conditions may also be secondary to genetic, biologic and developmental abnormalities. As such, according to American Psychological Association, the primary cause of PD to include; childhood trauma through sexual or physical or verbal abuse, and even childhood neglect; genetics like malfunctioning genes; and peers which a study revealed to be the cause of avoidant personality (Rizeanu, 2015).
Treatment of PDs includes medication (pharmacological treatment) recommended by a doctor such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Besides that, there are other non-pharmacological interventions including cognitive therapy and psychodynamic therapy which research has shown to be very effective in treating PDs. Other methods include care programme approach (CPA), Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Metallization based treatment (MBT), and Therapeutic communities among others (Dobbert, 2013).
My Spiritual view of PDs Concepts and Ideas
Christian counselors should not give up on clients with cluster B (Axis II), and even though PDs are pervasive, Christian counselors have to refrain from tagging people by the disorder because God labeled those individuals in His image. Also, Christian counselors should be encouraged to family member caring for their loved one suffering from PDs in a way which builds God’s kingdom, instead of ideas which divide it by scape-goating the patient that has been identified.
Conclusion
Research has revealed PDs are mental ailments that are treatable shoeing its causes and symptoms. PDs can have severe impacts on patients if ignored and left untreated like it was assumed in the past. These effects include self-harm, suicidal thoughts, drug abuse or alcohol problem, eating disorders or anxiety, and sexual problems among others. Therefore individuals who experience any symptoms of PDs mentioned above should be diagnosed and offered treatment immediately to avoid the adverse impacts of these disorders.
References
Dobbert, D. L. (2013). Understanding Personality Disorders . Rowman & Littlefield.
Rizeanu, S. (2015). Personality disorders. Romanian Journal of Experimental Applied Psychology , 6 (4).
