READ: Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders
Personality, defined psychologically, is the set of enduring behavioral and mental traits that distinguish human beings. Hence, personality disorders are defined by experiences and behaviors that differ from societal norms and expectations. Those diagnosed with a personality disorder may experience difficulties in cognition, emotiveness, interpersonal functioning or control of impulses. These disorders are characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition and inner experience, exhibited across many contexts and deviating significantly from cultural norms.
Patterns within personality disorders develop early and are inflexible. Though personality disorders are typically associated with significant distress or disability, they are ego-syntonic, which means that individuals do not feel as though their values, thoughts and behaviors are out of place or unacceptable; in other words, they are consistent with their own ideal self-image.