Teens are in the prime stage of developing their personalities. They are exploring their sense of self, building connections with others and constructing their views about society.
This is a time with heightened emotions, and sometimes erratic moods that may make you question, does my kid have a personality disorder?
Personality Disorders (PDs) can be extra tricky to diagnose and treat in teens for this reason. However there are signs that your teen may be struggling from more than simple “moody teen behaviors” that could potentially indicate a personality disorder.
How To Identify A Teenage Personality Disorder
Identifying a personality disorder in teens is difficult because symptoms can overlap with other mental health conditions. An official diagnosis should be done by a licensed healthcare professional such as a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
They will take a detailed assessment of your teen’s health history, and a psychiatric evaluation to rule out other mental health conditions or acute stressors. The assessment process could include interviews with the teen, parents, or teachers to have a better understanding of their behavior.
Signs Your Teen Suffers From A Personality Disorder
There are a number of personality disorders, each with their own specific subset of symptoms.
But in general, the 4 key features to be aware of that may indicate a personality disorder include:
- Distorted thinking and perception of reality
- Irrational or problematic emotional responses
- Over or under regulated impulse control
- Difficulty functioning in social interactions and unstable relationships
Types Of Personality Disorders In Teens
There are 10 official personality disorders teens can be diagnosed with. Personality disorders are organized into clusters A, B and C based on similar presentations of symptoms.
Cluster A Personality Disorders
This group of personality disorders includes strange or odd thinking. People diagnosed with these PDs may socially isolate more and have problems forming connections with others.
Cluster A personality disorders include Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Lacks trust
- Highly suspicious of others and their intentions
- Doubts loyalty of others
Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Avoid intimacy with others (voluntary)
- May be seen as “loners”
- Take little to no pleasure in activities
- Hard time showing emotions
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Avoid intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in activities
- Hard time showing emotions
- Disorganized thinking and speech (may speak in metaphors, or speak without context)
Cluster B Personality Disorders
This group of personality disorders includes dramatic or erratic behavior. People diagnosed with these PDs may have high emotions, low self-esteem, or problems with impulse control.
Cluster B personality disorders include Borderline, Antisocial, Narcissistic and Histrionic.
Borderline Personality Disorder
- Fear of abandonment
- Extreme mood swings
- Self-harm or suicidal behavior
- Low self-esteem
- Unstable relationships
Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Lack remorse
- Disregard for the safety of oneself and others
- Chronic lying
- Aggressive behaviors
- Highly impulsive
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Lack empathy
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
- Requires excessive admiration
- Fantasies of unlimited success and power
Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Pattern of attention-seeking behavior
- May be labeled as overdramatic
- Anxiety when they are not center of attention
- Excessive focus on physical appearance
Cluster C Personality Disorders
This group of personality disorders includes limited ways of thinking. People diagnosed with these PDs may struggle with confidence or security, and have trouble making decisions.
Cluster C personality disorders include Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Personality Disorder
- Overly passive or submissive
- Trouble making everyday decisions
- Feeling uncomfortable when alone
- Difficulty starting or completing tasks on their own
Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Pervasive pattern of social anxiety
- Hypersensitive to criticism
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Avoid situations that could result in failure or embarrassment
Obsessive-Compulsive
- Perfectionism
- Inflexible with routines, rules, belief systems (may be perceived as stubborn)
- Black and white thinking
- Difficulty dealing with criticism
What Causes Personality Disorders In Teens?
The specific reasons behind personality disorders remain a mystery. Many experts believe that PDs result from a combination of genetics and early childhood experiences.
A study discovered that individuals diagnosed with BPD experience more childhood abuse compared to individuals with different personality disorders.
Recent studies in neuroscience and epigenetics are expected to reveal more information about the nature of PDs. A research team discovered that a mutated gene could contribute to individuals who have been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Available Treatment For Personality Disorders
Treating personality disorders requires long-term, ongoing professional support. Depending on the kind of personality disorder, individual needs, other underlying mental health conditions and intensity of symptoms—treatment can look different for everyone.
Some common treatment approaches that are used to treat personality disorders may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) (more specific to those with Borderline Personality Disorder)
- Medication to help manage symptoms (could include antidepressants, mood stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in cases where trauma may also be present)
- Group therapy for specific personality disorders
- Self-management tools may be taught in therapy sessions to manage symptoms this could include journaling, mediation, movement, art, getting outside, etc
Seeking Professional Help
At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate licensed therapists understand the complex nature of personality disorders in teens. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
Ozaki, N., Goldman, D., Kaye, W. et al. Serotonin transporter missense mutation associated with a complex neuropsychiatric phenotype. Mol Psychiatry 8, 933–936 (2003).
Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., Baldassarri, L., Bosia, M., & Bellino, S. (2021). The Role of Trauma in Early Onset Borderline Personality Disorder: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 721361.