Does your spouse have a personality disorder?
Ever had a girlfriend or boyfriend who you swore could compete with Kathy Bates in Misery? Sometimes it’s not until after the break up that we realise how lucky we were to escape the affections of someone with a personality disorder.
Dr Kai Morgan, clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies, said a personality disorder refers to a persistent and pervasive problem in relating with others and with one’s self. It also encompasses problems in coping effectively with life in general.
She said personality disorders tend to be dysfunctional or maladaptive and as such can present difficulty in relationships.
Officially there are no studies which have attempted to document the prevalence of personality disorders in Jamaica, however, anecdotally, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder appear to be pretty common here.
Borderline personality disorder, a serious mental illness, is characterised by not only instability in interpersonal relationships, but in emotions as well. On the other hand, antisocial personality disorder is seen when a person consciously violates the rights of others without even showing empathy. Obsessive compulsive personality disorder is where a person is fixed on controlling everything, being orderly, as well as perfect.
It is important to keep your eyes open for signs that the person you are dealing with has a personality disorder. If the person you are dating is emotionally unstable, impulsive in behaviour, exhibits disturbed patterns of thinking, is anxious all the time or habours thoughts of harming themselves or others, then those are red flags.
“The most efficacious form of treatment for personality disorders is psychological therapy,” said Dr Morgan.
“The therapy usually lasts as little as six months, however, it may be longer depending on the severity of the condition.”
During therapy a trained professional will discuss thoughts and emotions with the ultimate aim of getting the client to the point where they are able to control themselves.
Dr Morgan said the most treatment-resistant personality disorder is antisocial personality disorder.
