What is a personality disorder?

A self-defeating pattern of behavior that is due to one’s inability to adapt in a healthy way to the challenges of life.

Up to 26 million people in the US, or 9% of the population, have PDs (most are undiagnosed).

A personality disorder (PD) is troublesome to other people who have to come in to contact with the person who has the PD

PDs are a combination of environment and genetics.

69% of “borderlines” have a parent with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Antisocial PDAlso called “sociopath/psychopath.”

Total disregard for the rules of society, frequently involved with the criminal justice system, manipulative to get what they want at any cost, self-centered and lack of concern for others feelings, shows no remorse for actions (serial killers).

Borderline Personality Disorder

Very emotional, extreme mood swings (I love you, I hate you), unstable relationships, intense anger or difficulty controlling it, impulsive behavior (don’t think before acting), may engage in self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or even self-harm (cutting).

Very needy – abandonment issuesDifficulty finding own identityMay become suicidalMore women than men (70% were physically or

sexually abused).