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.
It is a time with heightened feelings, and typically erratic moods that will make you query, does my child have a persona dysfunction?
Character Issues (PDs) will 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 tough as a result of signs can overlap with different psychological well being circumstances. An official analysis needs to be achieved by a licensed healthcare skilled reminiscent of a scientific psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
They are going to take an in depth evaluation of your teen’s well being historical past, and a psychiatric analysis to rule out different psychological well being circumstances or acute stressors. The evaluation course of may embrace interviews with the teenager, dad and mom, or academics to have a greater understanding of their habits.
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 usually, 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 beneath regulated impulse management
- Problem functioning in social interactions and unstable relationships
Sorts Of Character Issues In Teenagers
There are 10 official persona issues teenagers will be identified with. Character issues are organized into clusters A, B and C primarily based on comparable shows of signs.
Cluster A Character Issues
This group of persona issues contains unusual or odd considering. Folks identified with these PDs might socially isolate extra and have issues forming connections with others.
Cluster A persona issues 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
- Arduous time displaying feelings
Schizotypal Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Arduous time displaying feelings
- Disorganized considering and speech (might converse in metaphors, or converse with out context)
Cluster B Character Issues
This group of persona issues contains dramatic or erratic habits. Folks identified with these PDs might have excessive feelings, low shallowness, or issues with impulse management.
Cluster B persona issues embrace Borderline, Delinquent, Narcissistic and Histrionic.
Borderline Character Dysfunction
- Worry of abandonment
- Excessive temper swings
- Self-harm or suicidal habits
- Low shallowness
- 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
- Anxiousness when they don’t seem to be focus
- Extreme give attention to bodily look
Cluster C Character Issues
This group of persona issues contains restricted methods of considering. Folks identified with these PDs might battle with confidence or safety, and have bother making selections.
Cluster C persona issues embrace Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Character Dysfunction
- Overly passive or submissive
- Hassle making on a regular basis selections
- Feeling uncomfortable when alone
- Problem 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 might end in failure or embarrassment
Obsessive-Compulsive
- Perfectionism
- Rigid with routines, guidelines, perception techniques (could also be perceived as cussed)
- Black and white considering
- Problem coping with criticism
What Causes Character Issues In Teenagers?
The particular causes behind persona issues stay a thriller. Many consultants consider that PDs end result 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 issues.
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 may contribute to people who’ve been identified with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Accessible Therapy For Character Issues
Treating persona issues requires long-term, ongoing skilled assist. Relying on the type of persona dysfunction, particular person wants, different underlying psychological well being circumstances and depth of signs—therapy can look completely different for everybody.
Some frequent therapy approaches which can be used to deal with persona issues might embrace:
- Cognitive Behavioral Remedy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Remedy (DBT) (extra particular to these with Borderline Character Dysfunction)
- Medicine to assist handle signs (may embrace antidepressants, temper stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Motion Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in instances 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 embrace journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting outdoors, and many others
In search of Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our staff of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the complicated nature of persona issues in teenagers. Attain out to our Admissions staff to be taught 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.
