Teenagers are within the prime stage of creating their personalities. They’re exploring their sense of self, constructing connections with others and setting up 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 Problems (PDs) could be additional tough to diagnose and deal with in teenagers because of this. Nonetheless 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 prognosis ought to be completed 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 situations or acute stressors. The evaluation course of may embody interviews with the teenager, mother and father, or academics to have a greater understanding of their habits.
Indicators Your Teen Suffers From A Character Dysfunction
There are a variety of persona problems, every with their very own particular subset of signs.
However basically, the 4 key options to concentrate on that 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
Sorts Of Character Problems In Teenagers
There are 10 official persona problems teenagers could be identified with. Character problems are organized into clusters A, B and C primarily based on related shows of signs.
Cluster A Character Problems
This group of persona problems contains unusual or odd considering. Individuals identified with these PDs could socially isolate extra and have issues forming connections with others.
Cluster A persona problems 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
- Onerous time exhibiting feelings
Schizotypal Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Onerous time exhibiting feelings
- Disorganized considering and speech (could converse in metaphors, or converse with out context)
Cluster B Character Problems
This group of persona problems contains dramatic or erratic habits. Individuals identified with these PDs could have excessive feelings, low shallowness, or issues with impulse management.
Cluster B persona problems embody Borderline, Delinquent, Narcissistic and Histrionic.
Borderline Character Dysfunction
- Concern of abandonment
- Excessive temper swings
- Self-harm or suicidal habits
- Low shallowness
- Unstable relationships
Delinquent Character Dysfunction
- Lack regret
- Disregard for the security of oneself and others
- Continual 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 aren’t focal point
- Extreme give attention to bodily look
Cluster C Character Problems
This group of persona problems contains restricted methods of considering. Individuals identified with these PDs could wrestle with confidence or safety, and have hassle making choices.
Cluster C persona problems embody Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Character Dysfunction
- Overly passive or submissive
- Bother 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 particular causes behind persona problems stay a thriller. Many consultants consider that PDs outcome from a mixture of genetics and early childhood experiences.
A examine found that individuals diagnosed with BPD expertise extra childhood abuse in comparison with people with totally different persona problems.
Current 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.
Out there Therapy For Character Problems
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 totally different for everybody.
Some frequent remedy approaches which can be used to deal with persona problems could embody:
- Cognitive Behavioral Remedy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Remedy (DBT) (extra particular to these with Borderline Character Dysfunction)
- Remedy to assist handle signs (may embody antidepressants, temper stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Motion Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in instances 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 embody journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting exterior, and so on
Searching for Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our workforce of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the complicated nature of persona problems in teenagers. Attain out to our Admissions workforce 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.
