Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses. They involve long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy and inflexible. The behaviors cause serious problems with relationships and work. People with personality disorders have trouble dealing with everyday stresses and problems. They often have stormy relationships with other people. - Excerpted from Medline Plus.

Personality Disorders
By definition personality disorders reflect chronic impairment in adaptive functioning in social, interpersonal and/or occupational roles. They are manifest by repeated and enduring patterns of behavior.  Learn more...

Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder (APD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by chronic and pervasive patterns of behavior that disregard and violate the rights of others. These patterns of behavior begin in childhood or early adolescence and continue into adulthood.  Learn more...

Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity.  Learn more...

Distinctions between Self-Esteem and Narcissism
For very young children, self-esteem is probably best thought to consist of deep feelings of being loved, accepted, and valued by significant others rather than of feelings derived from evaluating oneself against some external criteria, as in the case of older children.  Learn more...

Answers to Common Questions about Counseling
Throughout life, there are times when help is needed to address problems and issues that cause emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed. When experiencing these types of difficulties, individuals may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional.  Learn more...

The Numbers Count: Mental Health Disorders in America
Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.   Learn more...