Teenagers are within the prime stage of growing their personalities. They’re exploring their sense of self, constructing connections with others and establishing 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 Issues (PDs) may be additional difficult to diagnose and deal with in teenagers for that reason. 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 Establish 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 needs to be carried out by a licensed healthcare skilled resembling 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 embody interviews with the teenager, dad and mom, or academics to have a greater understanding of their conduct.
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 basically, the 4 key options to pay attention to which will point out a persona dysfunction embody:
- Distorted pondering and notion of actuality
- Irrational or problematic emotional responses
- Over or below regulated impulse management
- Problem functioning in social interactions and unstable relationships
Sorts Of Character Issues In Teenagers
There are 10 official persona problems teenagers may be recognized with. Character problems are organized into clusters A, B and C based mostly on comparable shows of signs.
Cluster A Character Issues
This group of persona problems consists of unusual or odd pondering. Individuals recognized 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
- Laborious time exhibiting feelings
Schizotypal Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Laborious time exhibiting feelings
- Disorganized pondering and speech (could converse in metaphors, or converse with out context)
Cluster B Character Issues
This group of persona problems consists of dramatic or erratic conduct. Individuals recognized 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 conduct
- 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 conduct
- Could also be labeled as overdramatic
- Nervousness when they aren’t focal point
- Extreme deal with bodily look
Cluster C Character Issues
This group of persona problems consists of restricted methods of pondering. Individuals recognized with these PDs could battle with confidence or safety, and have bother making selections.
Cluster C persona problems embody Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Character Dysfunction
- Overly passive or submissive
- Bother 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 would end in failure or embarrassment
Obsessive-Compulsive
- Perfectionism
- Rigid with routines, guidelines, perception programs (could also be perceived as cussed)
- Black and white pondering
- 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 people recognized 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 analysis crew found {that a} mutated gene might contribute to people who’ve been recognized with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Obtainable Therapy For Character Issues
Treating persona problems requires long-term, ongoing skilled help. Relying on the sort of persona dysfunction, particular person wants, different underlying psychological well being situations and depth of signs—remedy can look totally different for everybody.
Some widespread 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)
- Medicine to assist handle signs (might 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 periods to handle signs this might embody journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting outdoors, and so on
Looking for Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our crew of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the advanced 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 related to a fancy neuropsychiatric phenotype. Mol Psychiatry 8, 933–936 (2003).
Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., Baldassarri, L., Bosia, M., & Bellino, S. (2021). The Position of Trauma in Early Onset Borderline Character Dysfunction: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 721361.