Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on shared features.

Cluster A — “odd/eccentric” (withdrawn)

Type	Features
Paranoid	Suspicious, oversensitive, argumentative, defensive, hyperalert, cold, humourless
Schizoid	Shy, emotionally cold, introverted, detached, avoids close relationships
Schizotypal	Odd/eccentric, sensitive, suspicious, superstitious, socially isolated, odd speech/thinking/behaviour — falls short of the criteria for schizophrenia

Cluster B — “dramatic/emotional” (antisocial)

Type	Features
Antisocial (sociopathic)	Impulsive, insensitive, selfish, callous, superficial charm, lack of guilt, low frustration tolerance, doesn’t learn from experience, relationship problems (e.g. promiscuity), reckless disregard for the safety of self/others, poor self-control
Histrionic	Self-dramatic, egocentric, immature, vain, dependent, manipulative, easily bored, prone to emotional scenes, seductive, craves attention/excitement
Narcissistic	Morbid self-admiration, exhibitionist, insensitive, craves/demands attention, exploits others, preoccupied with power, lacks empathy, bullying, “charming, disarming, alarming,” prone to destructive anger
Borderline	Confused self-image/identity, impulsive, reckless, chronic emptiness, “all or nothing” relationships (emotionally unstable/intense), anger and guilt, poor self-control, uncontrolled gambling/spending — high incidence of suicide/parasuicide and drug use

Cluster C — “anxious/fearful” (dependent)

Type	Features
Avoidant	Anxious, self-conscious, fears rejection, timid/cautious, low self-esteem, overreacts to rejection/failure
Dependent	Passive, weak-willed, lacks self-reliance/confidence, over-accepting, avoids responsibility, excessive need to be cared for
Obsessional (obsessive-compulsive/anankastic)	Rigid, perfectionist, pedantic, indecisive, egocentric, preoccupied with orderliness/control

See Borderline Personality Disorder, Anti-social Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder for management detail on the three most clinically significant Cluster B types.