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Everyday life can be stressful, and most of us react to that stress with upsetting emotions like anxiety, sadness, or anger. Although these feelings are usually short-lived, some people experience these types of emotions chronically, and that can become a problem.

Sometimes personality traits and their accompanying behavior patterns become so extreme that they impair an individual’s success and ability to function normally. In fact, when any mental condition becomes so severe that it disrupts a person’s life, it is considered a disorder.

Personality disorders are essentially character traits taken to the extreme. If a patient’s desire for orderliness becomes excessive and interferes with their ability to work, they may fall out of the conscientious personality category and meet the diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Think of how shy Emma was at the wedding. If her shyness grew more extreme to the point that she isolated herself and rarely connected with other people, that personality trait might become a phobic disorder.

Those who suffer from personality disorders can cause others around them to feel uncomfortable. In response to this discomfort, many people employ personality-disorder terminology to label and disparage those with disorders: Lily is such a narcissist—she only cares about herself. Fred’s a pathological liar and can’t be trusted. Lois thinks everyone’s out to get her—she’s so paranoid. Although labeling may temporarily reduce the anxiety many people feel about those with difficult personalities, it doesn’t provide any real insight into their behavior, and it comes at the expense of their empathy.

Major Personality Disorders

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition) lists the following personality disorders that cause social and professional impairment:

 • Antisocial. People with this disorder lack empathy, cannot distinguish right from wrong, persistently lie and exploit others, and use their charm to manipulate others for personal gain. They often have legal problems, take unnecessary risks, and engage in abusive relationships.

 • Avoidant. These individuals suffer from feelings of social inadequacy and inhibition; they are extremely sensitive to any criticism or rejection and have major difficulties interacting with others and maintaining relationships.

 • Borderline. These patients live in a world that borders between typical neurotic behavior and full-blown psychosis wherein they lose touch with reality. They have a disturbed sense of identity and are sensitive to real or imagined abandonment. They are impulsive and have intense, uncontrollable emotional outbursts. Their relationships are chaotic, and they often suffer from depression, psychosis, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior.

 • Obsessive-compulsive. People with an obsessive-compulsive disorder are preoccupied by rules and details. Extreme perfectionists, they become distressed when they fall short of their ideals. They try to control others and have trouble delegating tasks. They are rigid, stubborn, and have trouble letting go of worthless objects.

 • Narcissistic. These self-centered individuals often have unrealistic fantasies about the extent of their power, success, and attractiveness. They come off as arrogant, lack empathy, and frequently take advantage of others. They exaggerate their own achievements and seek constant praise and admiration.

 • Schizotypal. These patients usually appear peculiar in their dress, thinking, beliefs, and behavior. They may hear voices whispering to them and experience other odd perceptions. Many engage in “magical thinking,” wherein they believe that their inner feelings, thoughts, or desires can affect the external world. They are often uncomfortable with close relationships and can be suspicious of others.