Teenagers are in the golden stage of personality development. They are exploring their sense of self, connecting with others and constructing their views of society.
This is a time of high and sometimes volatile emotions that may make you wonder, does my child have a personality disorder?
Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders (PD) in adolescents may be more difficult. However, there are signs that the problems your child is facing may be more than simple “moody teenage behavior,” and these behaviors may be indicative of a personality disorder.
How to Identify Personality Disorders in Teenagers
Recognizing personality disorders in teenagers can be difficult because symptoms can overlap with other mental health conditions. Formal diagnosis should be made by a licensed health care professional such as a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or pediatrician.
They will conduct a detailed assessment of your child’s health history and perform a psychiatric evaluation to rule out other mental health conditions or acute stressors. The evaluation process may include interviews with the teen, parents, or teachers to better understand their behavior.
Signs Your Teen Has a Personality Disorder
There are many types of personality disorders, each with its own specific symptoms.
But in general, 4 key characteristics to be aware of that may indicate a personality disorder include:
- Distorted thinking and perception of reality
- Irrational or problematic emotional reactions
- Excessive or insufficient pulse control
- Difficulties with social interactions and unstable relationships
Types of personality disorders in adolescents
There are officially 10 personality disorders that can be diagnosed in teenagers. Personality disorders are divided into groups A, B, and C based on similar symptom presentations.
Cluster A personality disorder
This group of personality disorders includes strange or eccentric thinking. People diagnosed with these Parkinson’s diseases may be more isolated and have difficulty connecting with others.
Cluster A personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.
paranoid personality disorder
- lack of trust
- Highly suspicious of other people and their intentions
- doubt the loyalty of others
schizophrenic personality disorder
- Avoiding intimacy with others (consensual)
- May be considered a “loner”
- Little interest in activities
- Difficulty expressing emotions
schizophrenic personality disorder
- Avoiding intimacy with others (social anxiety)
- Little interest in activities
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Confused thinking and speech (may speak in metaphors, or take words out of context)
Cluster B personality disorder
This group of personality disorders includes dramatic or erratic behavior. People diagnosed with these personality disorders may have elevated moods, low self-esteem, or problems with impulse control.
Cluster B personality disorders include borderline, antisocial, narcissistic, and histrionic.
borderline personality disorder
- fear of abandonment
- extreme mood swings
- self-harm or suicidal behavior
- self-abasement
- Unstable relationship
antisocial personality disorder
- lack of remorse
- Disrespect for one’s own safety and the safety of others
- chronic lying
- aggressive behavior
- Highly impulsive
narcissistic personality disorder
- lack of empathy
- grandiose self-importance
- need excessive admiration
- Fantasy of unlimited success and power
histrionic personality disorder
- Attention-seeking behavioral patterns
- May be labeled as overly dramatic
- Feel anxious when they are not the center of attention
- excessive attention to appearance
Cluster C personality disorder
This group of personality disorders includes limited ways of thinking. People diagnosed with these personality disorders may lack confidence or security and have difficulty making decisions.
Cluster C personality disorders include dependent personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
dependent personality disorder
- Too passive or submissive
- Difficulty making daily decisions
- You feel uncomfortable when you are alone
- Difficulty starting or completing tasks on your own
avoidant personality disorder
- Common patterns of social anxiety
- overly sensitive to criticism
- feeling of inadequacy
- Avoid situations that could lead to failure or embarrassment
obsessive-compulsive disorder
- perfectionism
- Lack of flexibility around routines, rules, and belief systems (may be considered stubborn)
- black and white thinking
- Difficulty handling criticism
What causes personality disorder in adolescents?
The specific causes behind personality disorders remain a mystery. Many experts believe Parkinson’s disease is the result of a combination of genetics and early childhood experiences.
One study found that people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder experienced more abuse in childhood than people with different personality disorders.
Recent neuroscience and epigenetic research promises to reveal more about the nature of Parkinson’s disease. A research team has discovered that a mutated gene may cause people to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive Parkinson’s disease.
Available treatments for personality disorders
Treating personality disorders requires long-term, ongoing professional support. Treatment may differ for each person based on the type of personality disorder, individual needs, other underlying mental health conditions, and the intensity of symptoms.
Some common treatments used to treat personality disorders may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (more specifically for people with borderline personality disorder)
- Medications to help control symptoms (may include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (in situations where trauma is possible)
- Group therapy for specific personality disorders
- Self-management tools can be taught during treatment to manage symptoms, this may include journaling, meditation, exercise, art, outdoor activities, etc.
Seek professional assistance
At Clearfork Academy, our compassionate team of licensed therapists understand the complex nature of personality disorders in adolescents. Please contact our admissions team for more information.
source
Ozaki, N., Goldman, D., Kaye, W., et al. Missense mutations in serotonin transporters are associated with complex neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Moore Psychiatry 8, 933–936 (2003).
Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., Baldassarri, L., Bosia, M., & Bellino, S. (2021). The role of trauma in early-onset borderline personality disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 721361.
