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Personality Theories Of Personality Disorders

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There are many different theories of personality which scientists have developed in order to help explain how people think, feel, and behave. The trait theory of personality is one that attempts to explain personality by identifying patterns of behavior that include relatively stable characteristics which in turn causes individuals to consistently behave in particular ways (Funder, 2015). While personality may change due to different situations or states, the trait theory proposes that overall personality characteristics are relatively constant and result in a person reliably acting a certain way. These characteristics, or traits, which remain relatively constant throughout one’s life are essential components of one’s personality (McLeod, …show more content…

There are key differences in each of the clusters of personality disorders. Cluster A has common features of social awkwardness and socially withdrawing from people, leaving them to often times spend time alone. People diagnosed with these disorders often have distorted thinking which in turn leads them to have a hard time trusting others leading to social detachment and discomfort in settings that require them to be social. Cluster B has common features relating to issues with controlling impulses and regulating emotions. People diagnosed with these disorders often act impulsively putting themselves at risk for harm and have trouble regulating their emotions and often don’t feel and remorse for their actions. Cluster C has common features in relation to increased levels of anxiety. Anxiety in this category can relate to social anxiety, fear of losing others, and anxiety related to orderliness and following rules.
Personality disorders differ from other mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders because of the defining features. Disorders like major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are mood disorders relating to how an individual thinks and feels, whereas disorders like borderline, paranoid, and narcissistic personality disorder are personality disorders relating to a person’s personality and how they act. Individuals with mood disorders have extremes

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