What Are Cluster C Personality Disorders?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPersonality Disorder ClustersCausesCluster C TypesAvoidant PersonalityDependent PersonalityOCPDSigns & Symptoms: Do I Have a Cluster C Personality Disorder?DiagnosisTreatmentCopingFAQ

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Personality Disorder Clusters

Causes

Cluster C Types

Avoidant Personality

Dependent Personality

OCPD

Signs & Symptoms: Do I Have a Cluster C Personality Disorder?

Diagnosis

Treatment

Coping

FAQ

Close

Read on to learn about Cluster C personality disorder types, how to identify if you might have one, and how it can be treated.

Overview of Personality Disorder Clusters

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 9% of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with a personality disorder.

What Are the Three Personality Disorder Clusters?

The DSM-5-TR categorizes personality disorders into three clusters:

History of the Term ‘Borderline’ in Borderline Personality Disorder

Causes of Cluster C Personality Disorders

Thoughts, behaviors, and emotions form yourpersonality. Personality disorders can skew your personal and social relationships. A combination of genetics, environmental and developmental factors may contribute to developing personality disorders.

Genetics

One theory suggests that family history has a significant role to play. For example, you are more likely to develop a personality disorder if a parent or sibling has a personality disorder.

Brain Changes

Scientists have observed differences in brain structure in some people with certain personality disorders. In one study, scientists observed a decrease in grey matter in the medial temporal cortex of women with borderline personality disorder.

Cultural Factors

There’s a connection between culture and personality disorders. Culture plays a vital role in defining who you are. It dictates many parts of your personality and self-image. Cultures encouraging emotional sensitivity are less likely to shape people who exhibit impulsive and suicidal behaviors.

Trauma and Abuse

Environmental factors also have a role to play, especially when combined with family history. For instance, ahistory of abusecan make you more susceptible to developing personality disorders. Research shows a strong link betweenchildhood sexual trauma and borderline personalitydisorder.

Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Types of Cluster C Personality Disorders

There are three types of Cluster C personality disorders, each with a set of unique symptoms and characteristics.

Cluster C TypesAvoidant personality disorderDependent personality disorderObsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Avoidant personality disorderDependent personality disorderObsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Avoidant Personality Disorder

People with avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) struggle with feelings ofinadequacy. They are typically overly sensitive to negative remarks and tend to avoid interacting with other people as a result. They are also likely to have low self-esteem and struggle to interact with new people.

According to the DSM-5-TR, for a diagnosis of AVPD, a person must exhibit a consistent pattern of hypersensitivity to criticism, feelings of inadequacy, and avoiding social interactions.

11 Signs of Low Self-Esteem

Dependent Personality Disorder

As the name implies, dependent personality disorder makes people with the condition over-reliant on other people. They are likely to constantly seek external validation from others and become despondent when they feel they are not receiving adequate support.

A person with a dependent personality disorder will exhibitpeople-pleasing behaviorsand have an unreasonable fear of separation. A person with this condition must show a persistent need to be taken care of, leading them to become clingy and submissive.

How to Avoid Being Clingy In Relationships

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

This personality disorder causes a person to develop an inflexible need for order and control. People with this condition are perfectionists and react negatively when people or situations threaten their sense of order.

OCPD and OCD Are Not the Same Disorders

It’s crucial to understand thatobsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is distinct from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),a type of anxiety disorder.

People with OCD are typically aware of their condition, while people with OCPD tend to be oblivious to the behaviors they are exhibiting.

OCPD is a personality disorder

Believes their thoughts and behaviors are right

Capable of functioning efficiently

OCD is an anxiety disorder

Feels distressed over their thoughts and behaviors

Struggle with daily functioning

You might be wondering if you’re exhibiting any signs or symptoms of a Cluster C personality disorder or know someone who is.

Read ahead to learn more about the common signs and symptoms for each type of Cluster C personality disorder.

Avoidant Personality Disorder Symptoms

People with avoidant personality disorder exhibit behaviors such as:

Dependent Personality Disorder Symptoms

Dependent personality disorder causes a person to exhibit the following characteristics:

How Can I Stop Being Codependent?

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Symptoms

This personality disorder typically causes a person to fixate on minute details and systematization. Other symptoms include:

How to Tell If You’re a Perfectionist

Diagnosis of Cluster C Personality Disorders

Your physical exam involves an in-depth analysis of your family and medical history. Your family history is crucial as Cluster C personality disorders can be passed down through families.

Cluster C Personality Disorder Treatment

Treatment for a personality disorder can be challenging. The severity of your symptoms and any comorbid conditions you may have will typically be considered.

Research shows that people with Cluster C personality disorders are at high risk of developing substance use disorder.

A combination of medication and psychotherapy can be used to manage symptoms.

Medications

Although the FDA approves no specific medications for treating personality disorders,your doctor may prescribe medication for particular symptoms.

If you exhibit signs of depression, your healthcare provider may prescribe antidepressants. Mood stabilizers can also help to regulate your mood if you’ve been experiencing severe mood swings.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapyis a vital treatment tool for many mental health conditions, including personality disorders. You can consider different types of therapy, from group therapy to individual talk therapy.

Therapy can equip you with the skills to handle social interactions and healthy coping mechanisms to handle challenging emotions. In many cases, psychotherapy is the first line of treatment used to manage personality disorders.

Here’s How to Find the Right Therapist for You

Coping With Cluster C Personality Disorders

Lifestyle management for personality disorders is just as crucial as treatment is for this group of conditions.

Strategies that you can employ to cope better include:

5 Keys to Living With Borderline Personality Disorder

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, ADHD is not a personality disorder, it is a neurodevelopmental disorder.However, ADHD is often associated with Cluster B personality disorders (like borderline personality disorder), but a study found that ADHD can also co-occur alongside Cluster C personality disorder traits.There’s currently no cure for personality disorders; however, they are treatable. Symptoms of personality disorders can be managed with medication and therapy to encourage changed behavior.

No, ADHD is not a personality disorder, it is a neurodevelopmental disorder.However, ADHD is often associated with Cluster B personality disorders (like borderline personality disorder), but a study found that ADHD can also co-occur alongside Cluster C personality disorder traits.

There’s currently no cure for personality disorders; however, they are treatable. Symptoms of personality disorders can be managed with medication and therapy to encourage changed behavior.

An Overview of Mixed Personality Disorder

19 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.Massaal-van der Ree LY, Eikelenboom M, Hoogendoorn AW, Thomaes K, van Marle HJF.Cluster B versus Cluster C Personality Disorders: A Comparison of Comorbidity, Suicidality, Traumatization and Global Functioning.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(4):105. Published 2022 Apr 12. doi:10.3390/bs12040105NIMH.Personality disorders.Ward RK. Assessment and management of personality disorders.AFP. 2004;70(8):1505-1512.Fatimah H, Wiernik BM, Gorey C, McGue M, Iacono WG, Bornovalova MA.Familial factors and the risk of borderline personality pathology: genetic and environmental transmission.Psychol Med. 2020;50(8):1327-1337.Soloff P, Nutche J, Goradia D, Diwadkar V.Structural brain abnormalities in borderline personality disorder: A voxel-based morphometry study.Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging. 2008;164(3):223-236.Ronningstam EF, Keng SL, Ridolfi ME, Arbabi M, Grenyer BFS.Cultural aspects in symptomatology, assessment, and treatment of personality disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2018;20(4):22.American Psychological Association.What causes personality disorders?Perry J.Cluster c personality disorders: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive.In: Gabbard’s Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2014.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Avoidant personality disorder (Avpd) - psychiatric disorders.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Dependent personality disorder (Dpd) - psychiatric disorders.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:Roncero C, de Miguel A, Fumero A, et al.Anxiety and depression in drug-dependent patients with cluster c personality disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:19.Ripoll LH. Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2013;15(2):213-224.Davison SE.Principles of managing patients with personality disorder. Adv psychiatr treat.2002;8(1):1-9.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Overview of personality disorders - psychiatric disorders.Koomen LEM, van der Horst MZ, Deenik J, Cahn W.Lifestyle interventions for people with a severe mental illness living in supported housing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:966029.CDC.ADHD.Arancibia M, Valdivia S, Morales A, et al. Rasgos de personalidad del grupo C y trastorno por déficit de atención en estudiantes de medicina: estudio transversal analítico [Cluster C personality traits and attention deficit disorder in medical students. An analytical cross-sectional study].Rev Med Chil. 2020;148(8):1105-1112. doi:10.4067/S0034-98872020000801105Personality Disorder Awareness Network.Are personality disorders treatable?

19 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.Massaal-van der Ree LY, Eikelenboom M, Hoogendoorn AW, Thomaes K, van Marle HJF.Cluster B versus Cluster C Personality Disorders: A Comparison of Comorbidity, Suicidality, Traumatization and Global Functioning.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(4):105. Published 2022 Apr 12. doi:10.3390/bs12040105NIMH.Personality disorders.Ward RK. Assessment and management of personality disorders.AFP. 2004;70(8):1505-1512.Fatimah H, Wiernik BM, Gorey C, McGue M, Iacono WG, Bornovalova MA.Familial factors and the risk of borderline personality pathology: genetic and environmental transmission.Psychol Med. 2020;50(8):1327-1337.Soloff P, Nutche J, Goradia D, Diwadkar V.Structural brain abnormalities in borderline personality disorder: A voxel-based morphometry study.Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging. 2008;164(3):223-236.Ronningstam EF, Keng SL, Ridolfi ME, Arbabi M, Grenyer BFS.Cultural aspects in symptomatology, assessment, and treatment of personality disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2018;20(4):22.American Psychological Association.What causes personality disorders?Perry J.Cluster c personality disorders: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive.In: Gabbard’s Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2014.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Avoidant personality disorder (Avpd) - psychiatric disorders.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Dependent personality disorder (Dpd) - psychiatric disorders.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:Roncero C, de Miguel A, Fumero A, et al.Anxiety and depression in drug-dependent patients with cluster c personality disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:19.Ripoll LH. Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2013;15(2):213-224.Davison SE.Principles of managing patients with personality disorder. Adv psychiatr treat.2002;8(1):1-9.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Overview of personality disorders - psychiatric disorders.Koomen LEM, van der Horst MZ, Deenik J, Cahn W.Lifestyle interventions for people with a severe mental illness living in supported housing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:966029.CDC.ADHD.Arancibia M, Valdivia S, Morales A, et al. Rasgos de personalidad del grupo C y trastorno por déficit de atención en estudiantes de medicina: estudio transversal analítico [Cluster C personality traits and attention deficit disorder in medical students. An analytical cross-sectional study].Rev Med Chil. 2020;148(8):1105-1112. doi:10.4067/S0034-98872020000801105Personality Disorder Awareness Network.Are personality disorders treatable?

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.

Massaal-van der Ree LY, Eikelenboom M, Hoogendoorn AW, Thomaes K, van Marle HJF.Cluster B versus Cluster C Personality Disorders: A Comparison of Comorbidity, Suicidality, Traumatization and Global Functioning.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(4):105. Published 2022 Apr 12. doi:10.3390/bs12040105NIMH.Personality disorders.Ward RK. Assessment and management of personality disorders.AFP. 2004;70(8):1505-1512.Fatimah H, Wiernik BM, Gorey C, McGue M, Iacono WG, Bornovalova MA.Familial factors and the risk of borderline personality pathology: genetic and environmental transmission.Psychol Med. 2020;50(8):1327-1337.Soloff P, Nutche J, Goradia D, Diwadkar V.Structural brain abnormalities in borderline personality disorder: A voxel-based morphometry study.Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging. 2008;164(3):223-236.Ronningstam EF, Keng SL, Ridolfi ME, Arbabi M, Grenyer BFS.Cultural aspects in symptomatology, assessment, and treatment of personality disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2018;20(4):22.American Psychological Association.What causes personality disorders?Perry J.Cluster c personality disorders: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive.In: Gabbard’s Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2014.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Avoidant personality disorder (Avpd) - psychiatric disorders.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Dependent personality disorder (Dpd) - psychiatric disorders.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:Roncero C, de Miguel A, Fumero A, et al.Anxiety and depression in drug-dependent patients with cluster c personality disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:19.Ripoll LH. Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2013;15(2):213-224.Davison SE.Principles of managing patients with personality disorder. Adv psychiatr treat.2002;8(1):1-9.MSD Manual Professional Edition.Overview of personality disorders - psychiatric disorders.Koomen LEM, van der Horst MZ, Deenik J, Cahn W.Lifestyle interventions for people with a severe mental illness living in supported housing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:966029.CDC.ADHD.Arancibia M, Valdivia S, Morales A, et al. Rasgos de personalidad del grupo C y trastorno por déficit de atención en estudiantes de medicina: estudio transversal analítico [Cluster C personality traits and attention deficit disorder in medical students. An analytical cross-sectional study].Rev Med Chil. 2020;148(8):1105-1112. doi:10.4067/S0034-98872020000801105Personality Disorder Awareness Network.Are personality disorders treatable?

Massaal-van der Ree LY, Eikelenboom M, Hoogendoorn AW, Thomaes K, van Marle HJF.Cluster B versus Cluster C Personality Disorders: A Comparison of Comorbidity, Suicidality, Traumatization and Global Functioning.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(4):105. Published 2022 Apr 12. doi:10.3390/bs12040105

NIMH.Personality disorders.

Ward RK. Assessment and management of personality disorders.AFP. 2004;70(8):1505-1512.

Fatimah H, Wiernik BM, Gorey C, McGue M, Iacono WG, Bornovalova MA.Familial factors and the risk of borderline personality pathology: genetic and environmental transmission.Psychol Med. 2020;50(8):1327-1337.

Soloff P, Nutche J, Goradia D, Diwadkar V.Structural brain abnormalities in borderline personality disorder: A voxel-based morphometry study.Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging. 2008;164(3):223-236.

Ronningstam EF, Keng SL, Ridolfi ME, Arbabi M, Grenyer BFS.Cultural aspects in symptomatology, assessment, and treatment of personality disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2018;20(4):22.

American Psychological Association.What causes personality disorders?

Perry J.Cluster c personality disorders: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive.In: Gabbard’s Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2014.

MSD Manual Professional Edition.Avoidant personality disorder (Avpd) - psychiatric disorders.

MSD Manual Professional Edition.Dependent personality disorder (Dpd) - psychiatric disorders.

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:

Roncero C, de Miguel A, Fumero A, et al.Anxiety and depression in drug-dependent patients with cluster c personality disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:19.

Ripoll LH. Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2013;15(2):213-224.

Davison SE.Principles of managing patients with personality disorder. Adv psychiatr treat.2002;8(1):1-9.

MSD Manual Professional Edition.Overview of personality disorders - psychiatric disorders.

Koomen LEM, van der Horst MZ, Deenik J, Cahn W.Lifestyle interventions for people with a severe mental illness living in supported housing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:966029.

CDC.ADHD.

Arancibia M, Valdivia S, Morales A, et al. Rasgos de personalidad del grupo C y trastorno por déficit de atención en estudiantes de medicina: estudio transversal analítico [Cluster C personality traits and attention deficit disorder in medical students. An analytical cross-sectional study].Rev Med Chil. 2020;148(8):1105-1112. doi:10.4067/S0034-98872020000801105

Personality Disorder Awareness Network.Are personality disorders treatable?

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