It is important to know what defines and distinguishes a personality disorder. There are 11 types of personality disorders that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) has acknowledged.
When someone has a need to feel admired and behaves with deliriums of grandiosity and zero empathy he/she suffers of the Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Hypersensitivity to what other people think and a lack of respect of different opinions are also signs of this disorder.
Sensitiveness to any criticism, social inhibitions and constant thoughts of inadequacy are components of the Avoidant Personality Disorder.
Several symptoms facilitate the recognition of the Antisocial Personality Disorder. Reckless disregard of the safety of themselves and others and deceitfulness are some of these symptoms. The ones that suffer this disorder are uncomfortable with social rules. They are also called psychopaths or sociopaths.
The interpersonal relationships of the people that suffer the Borderline Personality Disorder tend to be unstable due to their constant mood changes and feelings of emptiness that eventually lead to suicide attempts and self mutilation. Anger management is an issue for them.
Extreme need of care by other people and lack of confidence identify the Dependent Personality Disorder. Fear of being abandoned is another sign of this disorder.
Histrionic Personality Disorder appears when theatrical emotional reactions are part of the everyday behavior of people. These people need to be the center of attention.
Uncontrollable patterns of thought and action guide the people that suffer from the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. These people are driven to preoccupation, perfectionism and inflexibility.
People with a Paranoid Personality Disorder suspect of everyone around them. These suspicions have no cause.
People that suffer from the Schizoid Personality Disorder have little emotion and they tend to enjoy few activities.
Peculiar thinking, weird beliefs, social anxiety, strange behavior or appearance are some characteristics of the Schizotypal Personality Disorder.