Personality Disorders
Someone may be described as having a 'personality disorder' if their personal characteristics cause regular and long term problems in the way they cope with life, interact with other people and in the way in which they can respond emotionally.
This information is from the Rethink Advice and Information Service's Personality disorders factsheet.
Each of us has characteristics which influence the way we think, feel and behave and makes us a unique individual.
It's possible that some people with these disorders never come into contact with the mental health services. Those who are given a diagnosis of personality disorder may feel, perhaps understandably, that they are being blamed or criticised or that they are somehow responsible for their problems.
There are different types of Personality Disorder, which are explained in more detail on the Types of personality disorder page.
How common is personality disorder?
In the community, 10-13% of people are thought to have a personality disorder. Personality disorder is equally common in men and women (although this can vary for specific types of personality disorder). Personality disorders are found more in younger age groups (25-44 year age group.
The proportion of people with personality disorders is highest in the prison population, where 64% of male sentenced prisoners and 50% of female prisoners have been found to be suffering from a personality disorder.
Risks associated with personality disorder
Personality disorders are associated with suicidal behaviour although this varies considerably between the diagnoses (see Types of personality disorder).
People diagnosed as borderline or paranoid personality disorder may be at higher risk of self harm and/or suicide than other people. Because some personality - disordered people engage in impulsive and dangerous behaviour they have an increased mortality rate.
Antisocial personality disorder is associated with a significant increase in unnatural causes of death (largely suicide, accidents and homicides).
There is also a strong association between personality disorders and substance misuse.
What is the connection between personality disorder and substance misuse?
The proportion of people with personality disorder is higher in those with substance misuse problems than the general population. The term dual diagnosis is used when someone has a mental illness and drug and/or alcohol issues.
There are many reasons why people with personality disorders and other mental health problems turn to drugs and/or alcohol. They may feel anxious or wish to ‘block out’ symptoms or side-effects of various medications.
They may feel bored and isolated, lonely, marginalised and depressed. They may have sleeping difficulties or hope to boost their self-confidence and feel ‘normal’.
Rethink Mental Illness believes it is important that the mental health services and drug and alcohol agencies come together to treat the individual. Sadly, this kind of service is not often available, and individuals are more likely to be referred to a substance misuse service than a mental health service.
See our Dual diagnosis factsheet for more detailed information about mental health and substance misuse.
Personality disorder and other mental disorders
People with personality disorder are more likely to experience other mental health problems during their lifetime. When someone has a personality disorder alongside a mental illness, there can be issues around diagnoses and best treatment. A second opinion may be useful in some cases.
