Personality Disorders

Our individual way of acting in the world is made of traits and behavior styles that we refer to as personality. We all have aspects to our personality that may cause us difficulties at times. But in most cases, we are able to adapt to life's stresses and form meaningful relationships with others.

When such traits become so overpowering and inflexible that they interfere with a person's ability to interact with others and fulfill their personal and professional goals, psychiatric treatment, including psychotherapy and possibly medications, may be necessary.

Personality disorders include a range of different diagnoses that can loosely be categorized into three types. The first is marked by odd or eccentric behavior, the second encompasses dramatic or emotionally erratic symptoms, and the third consist of anxious or fearful disorders.