Cluster B Personality Disorders

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewClassificationCausesDiagnosisTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overview

Classification

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

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According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 9.1 percent of Americans over 18 have at least one personality disorder.

Understanding Personality Disorders

Classifying Cluster B Disorders

Cluster B personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder. These tend to be the least common disorders but are often the most challenging to treat.

As with any other number of personality andmood disorders, conditions can overlap and coexist, requiring different approaches to treatment and care.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

The DSM-5 definesantisocial personality disorderas a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder(BPD) is associated with specific problems withinterpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, behaviors, and thinking.

People with BPD tend to have unstable andintense relationshipsand are prone to frequent arguments and breakups. They are characteristically afraid of being abandoned and will have a strongly negative image of themselves. People with BPD will often say that they feel as if they’re on anemotional roller coaster, shifting from elation to depression within a matter of minutes.

Another hallmark of BPD is a tendency to engage in risky behaviors, such as going on shopping sprees, abusing alcohol or drugs, engaging in promiscuous sex,binge eating, or self-harm (such as cutting yourself or attempting suicide).

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

The key features ofnarcissistic personality disorder, according to the DSM-5, include an inflated sense of self-importance, lack of empathy and attention-seeking behavior. People with this disorder often believe themselves to be exceptional and entitled to special treatment. They will demand excessive attention, take advantage of others, and have an inability to either perceive or demonstrate empathy.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

The most telling characteristic ofhistrionic personality disorderis a rapid shift between dramatic expressions of emotion and excessive attention-seeking behavior. People with this disorder don’t like it when someone else is getting more attention and will engage in dramatic, seductive, or sexually provocative behavior and/or use physical appearance to regain the limelight.

Your personality—the way you think, feel, and behave—largely forms during childhood. Your temperament, environment, and personal experiences all work together to shape your personality.

The exact causes of personality disorders remain unclear but are believed to be genetically influenced, suggesting that our temperament may be inherited to some degree. According to research from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, certain brain abnormalities are common in people with Cluster B personality disorders, suggesting that they may be inherently predisposed to mental health disorders from birth.

Childhood trauma, abuse, chaos, instability, or a family history of personality disorders are also seen to be contributing factors,

The Relationship Between Child Abuse and BPD

Avoid the temptation to try to diagnose yourself or a loved one for a personality disorder. Only a trained mental health professional can accurately make a diagnosis based on a review and characterization of symptoms. If you think you or a loved one has a personality disorder, talk to your doctor.

Diagnosis includes a physical exam, psychiatric evaluation, and meeting specific criteria outlined in the DSM-5.

Treatment can go a long way to helping you attain a better quality of life. The two most common treatments are psychotherapy and medication. If your situation requires it, you may need to be hospitalized or referred to a residential treatment program.

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Psychotherapy

Usually, the best treatment for personality disorders is psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling. You may learn some life skills that help you cope with your emotions while also learning how to respond appropriately and manage your relationships.

The most commonly used psychotherapies for personality disorders are:

Self-education and coping skills training are also important parts of psychotherapy.

How to Cope With a Personality Disorder

Medications

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Ekselius L.Personality disorder: a disease in disguise.Ups J Med Sci.2018;123(4):194-204. doi:10.1080%2F03009734.2018.1526235Volkert J, Gablonski TC, Rabung S.Prevalence of personality disorders in the general adult population in Western countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Psychiatry. 2018;213(6):709-715. doi:10.1192/bjp.2018.202Black DW.The Natural History of Antisocial Personality Disorder.Can J Psychiatry.2015;60(7):309-14. doi:10.1177%2F070674371506000703Dixon-gordon K, Peters J, Fertuck E, Yen S.Emotional Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: An Update for Clinical Practice.J Psychother Integr. 2017;27(4):425-438. doi:10.1037%2Fint0000044Roepke S, Vater A. Narcissistic personality disorder: an integrative review of recent empirical data and current definitions.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(5):445. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0445-0Sulz S.Hysteria I. Histrionic personality disorder. A psychotherapeutic challenge.Nervenarzt. 2010;81(7):879-87. doi:10.1007/s00115-010-3016-6Perugula ML, Narang PD, Lippmann SB.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(2). oi:10.4088/PCC.16br02076Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013)Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC; American Psychiatric Association.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Bethesda, Maryland.Perugula, M.; Narang, P.; and Lippmann, S.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Compan CNS Dis. 2017;19(2):16br02076. DOI:10.4088/PCC.16br02076.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Ekselius L.Personality disorder: a disease in disguise.Ups J Med Sci.2018;123(4):194-204. doi:10.1080%2F03009734.2018.1526235Volkert J, Gablonski TC, Rabung S.Prevalence of personality disorders in the general adult population in Western countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Psychiatry. 2018;213(6):709-715. doi:10.1192/bjp.2018.202Black DW.The Natural History of Antisocial Personality Disorder.Can J Psychiatry.2015;60(7):309-14. doi:10.1177%2F070674371506000703Dixon-gordon K, Peters J, Fertuck E, Yen S.Emotional Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: An Update for Clinical Practice.J Psychother Integr. 2017;27(4):425-438. doi:10.1037%2Fint0000044Roepke S, Vater A. Narcissistic personality disorder: an integrative review of recent empirical data and current definitions.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(5):445. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0445-0Sulz S.Hysteria I. Histrionic personality disorder. A psychotherapeutic challenge.Nervenarzt. 2010;81(7):879-87. doi:10.1007/s00115-010-3016-6Perugula ML, Narang PD, Lippmann SB.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(2). oi:10.4088/PCC.16br02076Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013)Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC; American Psychiatric Association.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Bethesda, Maryland.Perugula, M.; Narang, P.; and Lippmann, S.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Compan CNS Dis. 2017;19(2):16br02076. DOI:10.4088/PCC.16br02076.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Ekselius L.Personality disorder: a disease in disguise.Ups J Med Sci.2018;123(4):194-204. doi:10.1080%2F03009734.2018.1526235Volkert J, Gablonski TC, Rabung S.Prevalence of personality disorders in the general adult population in Western countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Psychiatry. 2018;213(6):709-715. doi:10.1192/bjp.2018.202Black DW.The Natural History of Antisocial Personality Disorder.Can J Psychiatry.2015;60(7):309-14. doi:10.1177%2F070674371506000703Dixon-gordon K, Peters J, Fertuck E, Yen S.Emotional Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: An Update for Clinical Practice.J Psychother Integr. 2017;27(4):425-438. doi:10.1037%2Fint0000044Roepke S, Vater A. Narcissistic personality disorder: an integrative review of recent empirical data and current definitions.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(5):445. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0445-0Sulz S.Hysteria I. Histrionic personality disorder. A psychotherapeutic challenge.Nervenarzt. 2010;81(7):879-87. doi:10.1007/s00115-010-3016-6Perugula ML, Narang PD, Lippmann SB.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(2). oi:10.4088/PCC.16br02076

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.

Ekselius L.Personality disorder: a disease in disguise.Ups J Med Sci.2018;123(4):194-204. doi:10.1080%2F03009734.2018.1526235

Volkert J, Gablonski TC, Rabung S.Prevalence of personality disorders in the general adult population in Western countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Psychiatry. 2018;213(6):709-715. doi:10.1192/bjp.2018.202

Black DW.The Natural History of Antisocial Personality Disorder.Can J Psychiatry.2015;60(7):309-14. doi:10.1177%2F070674371506000703

Dixon-gordon K, Peters J, Fertuck E, Yen S.Emotional Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: An Update for Clinical Practice.J Psychother Integr. 2017;27(4):425-438. doi:10.1037%2Fint0000044

Roepke S, Vater A. Narcissistic personality disorder: an integrative review of recent empirical data and current definitions.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014;16(5):445. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0445-0

Sulz S.Hysteria I. Histrionic personality disorder. A psychotherapeutic challenge.Nervenarzt. 2010;81(7):879-87. doi:10.1007/s00115-010-3016-6

Perugula ML, Narang PD, Lippmann SB.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(2). oi:10.4088/PCC.16br02076

American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013)Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC; American Psychiatric Association.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Bethesda, Maryland.Perugula, M.; Narang, P.; and Lippmann, S.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Compan CNS Dis. 2017;19(2):16br02076. DOI:10.4088/PCC.16br02076.

American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013)Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC; American Psychiatric Association.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Personality Disorders.Bethesda, Maryland.

Perugula, M.; Narang, P.; and Lippmann, S.The Biological Basis to Personality Disorders.Prim Care Compan CNS Dis. 2017;19(2):16br02076. DOI:10.4088/PCC.16br02076.

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