What are the different types of personality disorders?

People with Cluster A-type personality disorders often appear to be odd or eccentric. They have significant impairment but infrequently seek help:

Paranoid personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of distrust and suspiciousness such that others’ motives are interpreted as malevolent.

Schizoid personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression.

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentricities of behaviour.

People with Cluster B-type personality disorders appear to be dramatic, emotional, and erratic. Generally, they experience significant impairment and are of considerable concern to health care providers. Of all the personality disorders, people with Cluster B disorders most commonly present to services:

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterised by a pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. Individuals with this personality disorder are typically aggressive, unlawful, and impulsive.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and feeling states, with marked impulsivity and chaos.

Histrionic personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of excessive emotionality including being dramatic, attention-seeking, and seductive.

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of grandiosity and self-centredness and thus lacking empathy for others.

People with Cluster C-type personality disorders appear to be anxious and fearful and are generally less impaired than those with Cluster B personality disorders:

Avoidant personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of social inhibition with feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals tend to be needy but scared of relationships. There is some debate that this is a form of long-term social phobia.

Dependent personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of submissive and clinging behaviour related to an excessive need to be taken care of. These individuals tend to be indecisive and fear abandonment.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control; thus, these individuals tend to be rigid and inefficient.