PERSONALITY DISORDERS IN THE DSM5
1. Borderline Personality Disorder
o This is a mental health condition characterized by unstable moods, relationships, and self-
image. People with BPD often experience intense emotions and may engage in impulsive
behaviors.
Symptoms
Unstable relationships
Fear of abandonment: A strong fear of being alone or rejected.
Unstable self-image: Rapidly changing views of oneself, often leading to feelings of
emptiness or worthlessness.
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Emotional dysregulation: difficulty in controlling emotions leading to extreme mood
swings
Inappropriate, intense anger: Difficulty managing anger, often leading to outbursts.
Treatment
o Therapy, particularly dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), is often considered the most
effective approach. Medications may also be used to help manage symptoms such as
depression or anxiety.
2. Schizotypal
o This is a mental health condition characterized by eccentric behavior, unusual beliefs or
magical thinking, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
People with schizotypal personality disorder may have odd speech patterns, unusual beliefs
about the world, and difficulty forming close relationships.
Symptoms
Eccentric behavior: This may include odd speech patterns, unusual beliefs, or magical
thinking.
Difficulties with interpersonal relationships: People with schizotypal personality disorder
may have trouble forming close relationships due to their eccentric behavior and unusual
beliefs.
Suspiciousness: They may be overly suspicious of others and believe that they are being
exploited, deceived, or harmed.
Odd speech patterns: They may use unusual or vague language or have difficulty staying
on topic.
Magical thinking: They may believe in supernatural phenomena or have unusual beliefs
about the world.
Social anxiety: They may experience social anxiety and avoid social situations due to
their fear of being judged or ridiculed.
1. Borderline Personality Disorder
o This is a mental health condition characterized by unstable moods, relationships, and self-
image. People with BPD often experience intense emotions and may engage in impulsive
behaviors.
Symptoms
Unstable relationships
Fear of abandonment: A strong fear of being alone or rejected.
Unstable self-image: Rapidly changing views of oneself, often leading to feelings of
emptiness or worthlessness.
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Emotional dysregulation: difficulty in controlling emotions leading to extreme mood
swings
Inappropriate, intense anger: Difficulty managing anger, often leading to outbursts.
Treatment
o Therapy, particularly dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), is often considered the most
effective approach. Medications may also be used to help manage symptoms such as
depression or anxiety.
2. Schizotypal
o This is a mental health condition characterized by eccentric behavior, unusual beliefs or
magical thinking, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
People with schizotypal personality disorder may have odd speech patterns, unusual beliefs
about the world, and difficulty forming close relationships.
Symptoms
Eccentric behavior: This may include odd speech patterns, unusual beliefs, or magical
thinking.
Difficulties with interpersonal relationships: People with schizotypal personality disorder
may have trouble forming close relationships due to their eccentric behavior and unusual
beliefs.
Suspiciousness: They may be overly suspicious of others and believe that they are being
exploited, deceived, or harmed.
Odd speech patterns: They may use unusual or vague language or have difficulty staying
on topic.
Magical thinking: They may believe in supernatural phenomena or have unusual beliefs
about the world.
Social anxiety: They may experience social anxiety and avoid social situations due to
their fear of being judged or ridiculed.
