Personality Disorder

Personality Disorder is a deeply ingrained and maladaptive pattern of behavior of a specified kind, typically apparent by the time of adolescence, causing long-term difficulties in personal relationships or in functioning in society. It is a form of class of mental disorders that are characterized by long-lasting rigid patterns of thought and behavior.

In personality disorder, abnormalities may be seen in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. These abnormalities may be caused by perinatal injury, encephalitis, trauma, or genetics. Personality disorders are also seen with diminished monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serotonin levels. However, the relationships of anatomy, receptors, and neurotransmitters to personality disorders are purely speculative at this point.

Treatment for most personality disorders usually involves a course of psychological therapy. This normally lasts at least six months, often longer, depending on the severity of the condition and other co-existing problems. No medication is currently licensed for the treatment of any personality disorder. However, medications may be prescribed to treat associated problems, such as depression, anxiety or psychotic symptoms. However Psychological therapies is one of the successful tretments, this involves discussion of thoughts, emotions and behaviours with a trained professional. The aim of all psychological therapies is to improve people's ability to regulate their thoughts and emotions.

A study suggested that 40.6 per 100,000 population were effected by personality disorder. Thus calculated as prevalence rate of 4% in Irish psychiatric hospitals. A study in Northern Ireland found that in 44% of suicides there had a personality disorder, the most common being paranoid (14%). Antisocial Personality Disorder was found in 8% of suicides.