Teenagers are within the prime stage of creating their personalities. They’re exploring their sense of self, constructing connections with others and developing their views about society.
This can be a time with heightened feelings, and typically erratic moods that will make you query, does my child have a persona dysfunction?
Character Issues (PDs) could be further difficult to diagnose and deal with in teenagers because of this. Nevertheless there are indicators that your teen could also be struggling from greater than easy “moody teen behaviors” that might doubtlessly point out a persona dysfunction.
How To Determine A Teenage Character Dysfunction
Figuring out a persona dysfunction in teenagers is troublesome as a result of signs can overlap with different psychological well being situations. An official prognosis must be accomplished by a licensed healthcare skilled similar to a scientific psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
They may take an in depth evaluation of your teen’s well being historical past, and a psychiatric analysis to rule out different psychological well being situations or acute stressors. The evaluation course of might embrace interviews with the teenager, mother and father, or lecturers to have a greater understanding of their habits.
Indicators Your Teen Suffers From A Character Dysfunction
There are a selection of persona problems, every with their very own particular subset of signs.
However on the whole, the 4 key options to pay attention to that will point out a persona dysfunction embrace:
- Distorted considering and notion of actuality
- Irrational or problematic emotional responses
- Over or underneath regulated impulse management
- Problem functioning in social interactions and unstable relationships
Sorts Of Character Issues In Teenagers
There are 10 official persona problems teenagers could be recognized with. Character problems are organized into clusters A, B and C based mostly on related shows of signs.
Cluster A Character Issues
This group of persona problems consists of unusual or odd considering. Folks recognized with these PDs might socially isolate extra and have issues forming connections with others.
Cluster A persona problems embrace Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal.
Paranoid Character Dysfunction
- Lacks belief
- Extremely suspicious of others and their intentions
- Doubts loyalty of others
Schizoid Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (voluntary)
- Could also be seen as “loners”
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Exhausting time displaying feelings
Schizotypal Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Exhausting time displaying feelings
- Disorganized considering and speech (might communicate in metaphors, or communicate with out context)
Cluster B Character Issues
This group of persona problems consists of dramatic or erratic habits. Folks recognized with these PDs might have excessive feelings, low vanity, or issues with impulse management.
Cluster B persona problems embrace Borderline, Delinquent, Narcissistic and Histrionic.
Borderline Character Dysfunction
- Concern of abandonment
- Excessive temper swings
- Self-harm or suicidal habits
- Low vanity
- Unstable relationships
Delinquent Character Dysfunction
- Lack regret
- Disregard for the protection of oneself and others
- Power mendacity
- Aggressive behaviors
- Extremely impulsive
Narcissistic Character Dysfunction
- Lack empathy
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
- Requires extreme admiration
- Fantasies of limitless success and energy
Histrionic Character Dysfunction
- Sample of attention-seeking habits
- Could also be labeled as overdramatic
- Nervousness when they don’t seem to be focus
- Extreme concentrate on bodily look
Cluster C Character Issues
This group of persona problems consists of restricted methods of considering. Folks recognized with these PDs might wrestle with confidence or safety, and have bother making choices.
Cluster C persona problems embrace Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Character Dysfunction
- Overly passive or submissive
- Bother making on a regular basis choices
- Feeling uncomfortable when alone
- Problem beginning or finishing duties on their very own
Avoidant Character Dysfunction
- Pervasive sample of social anxiousness
- Hypersensitive to criticism
- Emotions of inadequacy
- Keep away from conditions that might lead to failure or embarrassment
Obsessive-Compulsive
- Perfectionism
- Rigid with routines, guidelines, perception methods (could also be perceived as cussed)
- Black and white considering
- Problem coping with criticism
What Causes Character Issues In Teenagers?
The precise causes behind persona problems stay a thriller. Many consultants consider that PDs consequence from a mix of genetics and early childhood experiences.
A examine found that individuals diagnosed with BPD expertise extra childhood abuse in comparison with people with completely different persona problems.
Latest research in neuroscience and epigenetics are anticipated to disclose extra details about the character of PDs. A research team discovered that a mutated gene might contribute to people who’ve been recognized with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Accessible Remedy For Character Issues
Treating persona problems requires long-term, ongoing skilled assist. Relying on the type of persona dysfunction, particular person wants, different underlying psychological well being situations and depth of signs—remedy can look completely different for everybody.
Some frequent remedy approaches which can be used to deal with persona problems might embrace:
- Cognitive Behavioral Remedy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Remedy (DBT) (extra particular to these with Borderline Character Dysfunction)
- Medicine to assist handle signs (might embrace antidepressants, temper stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Motion Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in circumstances the place trauma may be current)
- Group remedy for particular persona problems
- Self-management instruments could also be taught in remedy classes to handle signs this might embrace journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting exterior, and many others
Searching for Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our crew of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the complicated nature of persona problems in teenagers. Attain out to our Admissions crew to study extra.
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.
