Teenagers are within the prime stage of growing their personalities. They’re exploring their sense of self, constructing connections with others and setting up their views about society.
This can be a time with heightened feelings, and generally erratic moods which will make you query, does my child have a persona dysfunction?
Character Problems (PDs) might be additional tough 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 would probably 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 analysis must be achieved by a licensed healthcare skilled equivalent to a scientific psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
They’ll 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 may embody interviews with the teenager, mother and father, or lecturers to have a greater understanding of their conduct.
Indicators Your Teen Suffers From A Character Dysfunction
There are a selection of persona issues, every with their very own particular subset of signs.
However basically, the 4 key options to concentrate on which will point out a persona dysfunction embody:
- Distorted considering and notion of actuality
- Irrational or problematic emotional responses
- Over or beneath regulated impulse management
- Issue functioning in social interactions and unstable relationships
Varieties Of Character Problems In Teenagers
There are 10 official persona issues teenagers might be recognized with. Character issues are organized into clusters A, B and C primarily based on comparable displays of signs.
Cluster A Character Problems
This group of persona issues contains unusual or odd considering. Folks recognized with these PDs could socially isolate extra and have issues forming connections with others.
Cluster A persona issues embody 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
- Laborious time displaying feelings
Schizotypal Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Laborious time displaying feelings
- Disorganized considering and speech (could communicate in metaphors, or communicate with out context)
Cluster B Character Problems
This group of persona issues contains dramatic or erratic conduct. Folks recognized with these PDs could have excessive feelings, low shallowness, or issues with impulse management.
Cluster B persona issues embody Borderline, Delinquent, Narcissistic and Histrionic.
Borderline Character Dysfunction
- Worry of abandonment
- Excessive temper swings
- Self-harm or suicidal conduct
- Low shallowness
- Unstable relationships
Delinquent Character Dysfunction
- Lack regret
- Disregard for the protection of oneself and others
- Persistent 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 conduct
- Could also be labeled as overdramatic
- Nervousness when they aren’t focus
- Extreme concentrate on bodily look
Cluster C Character Problems
This group of persona issues contains restricted methods of considering. Folks recognized with these PDs could wrestle with confidence or safety, and have hassle making choices.
Cluster C persona issues embody Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Character Dysfunction
- Overly passive or submissive
- Hassle making on a regular basis choices
- Feeling uncomfortable when alone
- Issue beginning or finishing duties on their very own
Avoidant Character Dysfunction
- Pervasive sample of social nervousness
- Hypersensitive to criticism
- Emotions of inadequacy
- Keep away from conditions that would end in failure or embarrassment
Obsessive-Compulsive
- Perfectionism
- Rigid with routines, guidelines, perception methods (could also be perceived as cussed)
- Black and white considering
- Issue coping with criticism
What Causes Character Problems In Teenagers?
The precise causes behind persona issues stay a thriller. Many consultants imagine that PDs consequence from a mix of genetics and early childhood experiences.
A research found that people recognized with BPD expertise extra childhood abuse in comparison with people with completely different persona issues.
Latest research in neuroscience and epigenetics are anticipated to disclose extra details about the character of PDs. A analysis crew found {that a} mutated gene may contribute to people who’ve been recognized with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Obtainable Therapy For Character Problems
Treating persona issues requires long-term, ongoing skilled help. Relying on the form of persona dysfunction, particular person wants, different underlying psychological well being situations and depth of signs—therapy can look completely different for everybody.
Some widespread therapy approaches which might be used to deal with persona issues could embody:
- Cognitive Behavioral Remedy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Remedy (DBT) (extra particular to these with Borderline Character Dysfunction)
- Medicine to assist handle signs (may embody antidepressants, temper stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Motion Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in circumstances the place trauma may additionally be current)
- Group remedy for particular persona issues
- Self-management instruments could also be taught in remedy periods to handle signs this might embody journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting outdoors, and so forth
In search of Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our crew of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the advanced nature of persona issues in teenagers. Attain out to our Admissions crew to study extra.
Sources
Ozaki, N., Goldman, D., Kaye, W. et al. Serotonin transporter missense mutation related to a fancy neuropsychiatric phenotype. Mol Psychiatry 8, 933–936 (2003).
Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., Baldassarri, L., Bosia, M., & Bellino, S. (2021). The Function of Trauma in Early Onset Borderline Character Dysfunction: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 721361.
