How to Diagnose Personality Disorders?

Answer 1

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, a personality disorder is a repetitive and inflexible behavioral pattern which develops in the early years of life and causes an individual to stray from their behavioral cultural expectations, leading to an inability to function normally. Personality disorders affect between 10 and 15% of the adult population in the United States alone. There are ten types of personality disorders including paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, dependent, and obsessive compulsive. Typical symptoms of personality disorders include a wide range of social and mood issues, unpredictable behavior and erroneous perception from the expected norm.

Before attempting to diagnose a personality disorder, one must be familiar with the specific criteria stated in the diagnostic and statistical manual of the American Psychiatric Association. It is also extremely important to have a basic understanding of the 10 various types of personality disorders. One must be aware that while personality disorders begin to develop in early childhood and adolescence, children cannot be diagnosed because the full development of their personality has not yet been reached. The general rule for diagnosis is 18 years of age or older. The first step is noticing if the patient’s behavior is repetitive and inflexible over a significant period of time. You must take particular notice of whether or not the person’s behavior is affecting them in societal, occupational, and familial settings. The individual may also be experiencing an inability to build or maintain personal relationships. It is also important to be aware of any injuries, or drug abuse issues as these can oftentimes be improperly interpreted as a personality disorder. Fixed fantasies and delusions with absolutely no grounding in reality are typically a fairly accurate indication of a personality disorder. These fantasies are often used to create an entire alternate reality of beliefs, controlling the individual’s life and leading to a complete inability to function in society.

While it is possible to make a general at-home diagnosis, it is vital to make an appointment with a licensed psychiatrist to receive a more accurate and thorough analysis.

Answer 2

Diagnosing personality disorders typically involves a thorough psychiatric evaluation, including a review of symptoms, personal history, and functioning. Clinicians may also use standardized assessment tools and interviews to help identify specific characteristics that align with diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5. A comprehensive assessment is necessary to differentiate between different personality disorders and rule out other mental health conditions.