Quick answer: Personality disorders are long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling and relating that cause distress or problems in daily life. Clinicians group them into three clusters: Cluster A (odd or eccentric), Cluster B (dramatic, emotional or erratic) and Cluster C (anxious or fearful). About 9.1% of U.S. adults have a personality disorder, and most also have another mental health condition. They’re treatable.
How we put this guide together
Amend Treatment in Malibu, California, treats personality disorders in a six-bed residential setting. This guide summarizes the 10 personality disorders described in the DSM-5 and draws on prevalence data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The three clusters at a glance
| Cluster | Disorders | Common themes |
| A: odd or eccentric | Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal | Suspicion, detachment, unusual thinking |
| B: dramatic, emotional or erratic | Borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, antisocial | Emotional intensity, impulsivity, relationship conflict |
| C: anxious or fearful | Avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive | Anxiety, fear of rejection, need for control |
1. Personality disorders are common
According to NIMH, the past-year prevalence of any personality disorder among U.S. adults was 9.1%, and most people with a personality disorder also had another mental disorder.
2. Paranoid personality disorder
Persistent distrust and suspicion of others’ motives, often without good reason.
3. Schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders
Schizoid involves detachment from relationships and limited emotional expression. Schizotypal involves discomfort in close relationships and unusual thinking or perceptions.
4. Borderline personality disorder
Intense emotions, fear of abandonment, unstable relationships and self-image, and impulsivity, often with self-harm. NIMH estimates past-year prevalence at 1.4%.
5. Narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders
Narcissistic involves grandiosity, need for admiration and limited empathy. Histrionic involves excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.
6. Antisocial personality disorder
A pattern of disregarding others’ rights, often including deceit and impulsivity.
7. Avoidant and dependent personality disorders
Avoidant involves intense fear of rejection and social inhibition. Dependent involves an excessive need to be cared for and difficulty making decisions alone.
8. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Preoccupation with order, perfectionism and control. It’s different from OCD, which involves intrusive obsessions and compulsions.
9. Treatment works
Psychotherapy is the primary treatment. Dialectical behavior therapy has strong evidence for borderline personality disorder, and other approaches, including schema-focused and psychodynamic therapies, are used for various personality disorders. Co-occurring conditions need treatment too. Learn about personality disorder treatment at Amend or call (833) 912-6363.
FAQ
What are the types of personality disorders?
The DSM-5 describes 10 personality disorders grouped into three clusters: A (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal), B (borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, antisocial) and C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive).
How common are personality disorders?
NIMH estimates the past-year prevalence of any personality disorder among U.S. adults at 9.1%.
Can personality disorders be treated?
Yes. Psychotherapy is the main treatment, and many people improve significantly. Medication can help with co-occurring symptoms like depression or anxiety.
Is obsessive-compulsive personality disorder the same as OCD?
No. OCPD involves pervasive perfectionism and need for control, while OCD involves intrusive obsessions and compulsive rituals.
Do people with personality disorders have other conditions?
Often, yes. Most people with a personality disorder also have another mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression or substance use.