Characteristics of 2 Different Personality Disorders?

Answer 1

A personality disorder is an illness that affects a person’s ability to think rationally, relate to others and perceive the reality of varying situations. People who suffer from a personality disorder may not seek treatment because they feel that their behavior is normal or acceptable. They may blame their dysfunctional behavior on other people. There are many different types of personality disorders, including borderline, histrionic, and paranoid, to name a few. The avoidant personality disorder and the schizoid personality disorder share some common symptoms, and they are both discussed below.

Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD)

People who have avoidant personality disorder are anxious and awkward in social situations. They are usually introverted and avoid doing things or going places where they will be forced to interact with other people. They have a crippling fear of rejection and ridicule to the point that they often do not attempt to form close relationships. Avoidant personality types sometimes make excuses for why they do not socialize. People with AvPD usually display most of the following characteristics:

--Social isolation and loneliness

--Social anxiety

--Extremely sensitive toward negative criticism or comments

--Hesitant to initiate or form a close relationship for fear of rejection

--Low self-esteem

--Mistrust of other people

--Self conscious

--Feelings of inadequacy or inferiority

--Fantasizes to escape painful thoughts

Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD)

Schizoid personality disorder should not be mistaken for schizophrenia simply because it has a similar name. It is a completely separate disorder. Those who have a schizoid personality may share many things in common with those who are categorized as avoidant. Both types of disorders may cause the sufferer to be socially isolated and lonely. However, the avoidant does desire social interaction, but they feel inadequate or unworthy of pursuing that interaction. In contrast, the schizoid personality does not desire close personal contact. Those classified as schizoid usually display the following symptoms:

--Inability to recognize and respond to social cues

--Engages in solitary activities

--Values independence and solitary lifestyle

--May seem indifferent, cold or dull in social situations

--Lack of desire for sexual relationships and experiences

Answer 2

1. Borderline Personality Disorder: Individuals with this disorder often display intense and unstable relationships, fear of abandonment, impulsivity, and intense mood swings. They may have a distorted self-image and engage in self-destructive behaviors.

2. Narcissistic Personality Disorder: People with this disorder have an inflated sense of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. They often exhibit grandiosity, a sense of entitlement, and a tendency to exploit others for their own gain.