Other personality disorders

Most people have heard of borderline personality disorder. But there are nine other types of personality disorder. Each one is a long-lasting, rigid pattern of thinking, feeling and relating to others that causes real problems in daily life.¹ This page explains what each type looks like, in plain words and without labels about a person's worth.

None of these is a character flaw. Reading about them here is not a way to diagnose yourself or someone you know. Only a trained professional can do that after a careful assessment.^1,4 The aim is to help you understand, and to show that help exists.

How common are these disorders?

In the U.S., about 9.1% of adults, roughly 1 in 11, had a personality disorder in the past year in a large national survey from 2001 to 2003.² A global review of 46 studies in 21 countries found about 7.8% (roughly 1 in 13).³

The same review gave estimates by cluster:³

The review found obsessive-compulsive (3.2%), avoidant (2.7%) and paranoid (2.3%) to be the most common single types. Schizotypal and dependent (0.8% each) and histrionic (0.6%) were the least common.³ The authors warn that results varied a lot between studies, so treat these numbers as rough.³

Personality disorders usually start in the teen years or early adult life. People under 18 are usually not diagnosed, because personality is still forming.^1,4 A person can have more than one type.¹

Cluster A: odd or eccentric

People in this cluster often seem distant, suspicious or unusual to others. They may find close relationships hard or uncomfortable.

Paranoid personality disorder

The core feature is deep distrust of other people. A person may read hidden threats into ordinary words, hold grudges for a long time, or doubt that a partner is faithful.¹ This is different from psychosis. The person usually does not lose touch with reality, but the distrust is strong and steady.

Schizoid personality disorder

A person with this pattern prefers to be alone. They seem emotionally cool, take little pleasure in activities, and are usually not bothered by having few close ties.¹ It is not the same as shyness or loneliness. A shy person wants connection but fears it. A person with schizoid traits often does not feel the pull.

Schizotypal personality disorder

This pattern includes odd beliefs or thinking (for example, strong belief in telepathy or superstition), unusual behavior, and social anxiety rooted in suspicion.¹ Some experts see it as a mild point on the same spectrum as schizophrenia, and the line between them is still debated.⁶

Research on treatment is thin. A review of 54 studies found that the work done so far was small and varied, so firm treatment advice is not yet possible. Most medicine studies looked at one kind of antipsychotic.⁶ Limited research If you or someone you love hears voices or holds fixed false beliefs that cause alarm, see a doctor soon.

Cluster B: dramatic or emotional

Borderline personality disorder is part of this cluster and has its own page. The other three are below.

Antisocial personality disorder

This pattern involves ignoring other people's rights and safety. It can include lying, acting on impulse, breaking rules or laws, and feeling little remorse.¹ The NHS notes that frustration, trouble controlling anger, blaming others and aggression are common.⁵

The label is often misused. Having this disorder does not mean a person is "evil" or beyond help. In the U.K., national guidance says people with this diagnosis should not be shut out of any health or social care service because of it, and that it does not limit care for other mental health conditions they may have.⁹ Families who live with harm from someone's behavior should put their own safety first. See supporting someone with a personality disorder.

Histrionic personality disorder

Here the person feels uneasy unless they are the center of attention. Emotions are shown in a very strong, quickly changing way. New relationships may seem close very fast.¹

Narcissistic personality disorder

This pattern includes a grand sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, a sense of entitlement and trouble seeing others' feelings.¹ People often use the word "narcissist" for anyone who is selfish or vain. That is not the same as the disorder, which causes lasting trouble in life and relationships.¹

Cluster C: anxious or fearful

Avoidant personality disorder

A person with this pattern is extremely shy and sensitive to criticism or rejection. They have low self-esteem and avoid social contact, sometimes even in choosing a career.¹ The two can look alike, so a careful assessment matters. See social anxiety disorder.

There is some good news. In a small trial of 62 people with avoidant personality disorder, 20 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helped more than a waiting list or brief psychodynamic therapy. Six months later, about 9% of the CBT group still met the criteria, compared with about 36% of the other therapy group.⁷ Promising The study is older and small, so more research would help.

Dependent personality disorder

The person has trouble making everyday choices alone, needs a lot of reassurance, fears disagreeing with others, and feels distressed when alone.¹

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)

OCPD is a pattern of perfectionism, rigid rules and a need for control. It can include excessive focus on details, overwork, stinginess and trouble throwing things away.^1,8

It is not the same as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). The two can be told apart in several ways:⁸

Talk therapy, such as CBT or insight-based therapy, can help people with OCPD ease rigid expectations and make more room for rest, friends and fun.⁸ Limited research Learn more about OCD.

A newer way of seeing personality disorder

Not everyone agrees that sorting people into 10 boxes is the best way. Many people fit parts of several types, and two people with the same label can look quite different.

The World Health Organization's newer system, ICD-11, takes another route. A clinician rates how much a person struggles with their sense of self and with other people. The result is a mild, moderate or severe personality disorder. There is also "personality difficulty" for people who have traits that cause some trouble but do not meet the full bar.¹⁰

The clinician may then add one or more trait domains that describe how it shows up:¹⁰

• Negative affectivity (strong distress, worry or anger)
• Detachment (distance from others and from emotions)
• Dissociality (disregard for others' needs and feelings)
• Disinhibition (acting on impulse without thinking ahead)
• Anankastia (perfectionism and rigid control)

ICD-11 keeps one option for a "borderline pattern," because this label helps point people toward treatments that are known to work.¹⁰ In the U.S., doctors still mainly use the 10 types from the DSM-5-TR.¹ Some countries, including the U.K., are moving toward the severity view.⁵ Your clinician will tell you which they use. Either way, the treatment plan should fit you, not just the label.

Treatment and outlook

Talk therapy is the main treatment for all of the types above. Different approaches are used, including CBT, psychodynamic therapy, group therapy, and education for the person and family.¹ Treatment can last several months or years, depending on how severe the problem is.⁵ You can read more in treatment for personality disorders.

No medicine is approved for personality disorders as a group. A doctor may suggest one for a specific problem, such as depression or anxiety.^1,5 Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before changing anything.

Many people recover over time, and sometimes support alone is enough.⁵ Good habits help too: staying active, keeping routine medical care, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and staying connected to people you trust.¹

Questions people ask

When to get help

• See a doctor or therapist if long-standing patterns keep hurting your work, family or friendships, or if you feel stuck in a way that therapy might ease.
• Call or text 988 any time you or someone you love has thoughts of suicide or of self-harm. It is free and open 24 hours a day.
• Call 911 if there is danger right now.
• If someone close to you is struggling, you can also make a safety plan together or visit our help page.

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.