This inflexibility can hurt their relationships.Great summary of co-occurring personality disorders – Taylor Brown, B.A.Com., MAADC II

As such, they obsess over orderliness, rules, and cleanliness. People with this disorder fear that if they do not carry out certain tasks or stick to rigid rules, something horrific will happen.

In order to avoid these experiences, they may go through extreme measures to avoid contacting people at work or attending social events. People with this disorder are afraid of any criticism or rejection. As such, people with this disorder are at risk for being abused and staying in those situations, even when they have options for leaving. They are afraid to take care of themselves. They rely on others to make decisions for them and take care of all their needs. People with this disorder feel little to no remorse for their actions because they cannot understand how they hurt someone else.Ĭluster C personality disorders cause interpersonal friction due to the person’s inability to face certain fears. They often have trouble with the law and can act violently. This leads people with this disorder to violate people’s rights, steal, cheat, and con others. One of the hallmark symptoms of antisocial personality disorder is the inability to care about other people’s needs and feelings. Media portrayals and casual conversations often use the term “sociopath,” to describe people with this condition. When interpersonal conflict is high, people with borderline personality disorder have paranoia and outbursts of anger. They often have fragile self-worth and unstable relationships. This often leads to signs like impulse behaviors, including gambling, unsafe sex, and binge eating. People with borderline personality disorder are gripped by an overwhelming fear of being abandoned or left alone. They may fantasize about holding more power and envy those with higher statuses. People with narcissistic personality disorder expect constant praise from those around them and may exaggerate their credentials. As such, they may think less of or even fail to notice the needs of others. This disorder makes people believe that they are more important than others.

Their emotions shift rapidly and dramatically, and the people around them greatly influence their behaviors. People with this disorder may also feel like their relationships are intense, even when the other person believes the relationship is shallow. However, the distinctive feature of histrionic personality disorder is that people have these episodes as a way to seek attention. This condition causes patients to have dramatic, unpredictable outbursts. Those who fall under this cluster of personality disorders are perceived to be dramatic, erratic, and unpredictable by others. People with schizotypal personality disorder have trouble forming relationships as they are always suspicious of others. They may hear voices, believe that everyday things leave hidden messages for them, and believe that their thoughts are magical. People often notice that those with this disorder have strange ways of talking, acting, and emoting. These patients find it difficult to note social cues, express emotions, or find joy in activities that include socialising. People with this disorder feel little to no desire to have relationships with others, including sexual relationships, friendships, or close relationships with family. Due to this paranoia, they may resist forming meaningful relationships, opening up to others, or forgiving perceived slights. They believe that the people around them are somehow working against them. This disorder causes people to feel constantly suspicious of others for no apparent reason. Sometimes, even strangers can notice these symptoms in people with Cluster A disorders. Personality disorders are classified into three clusters: cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C based on the similarities between disorders.Ĭluster A disorders have symptoms that others see as bizarre.

Personality clusters