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.
It is a time with heightened feelings, and generally erratic moods which will make you query, does my child have a persona dysfunction?
Character Problems (PDs) may be further tough 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 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 situations. An official prognosis needs to be completed by a licensed healthcare skilled corresponding 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 embrace interviews with the teenager, dad and mom, or lecturers 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 on the whole, the 4 key options to concentrate on which will point out a persona dysfunction embrace:
- 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 problems teenagers may be recognized with. Character problems are organized into clusters A, B and C primarily based on related displays of signs.
Cluster A Character Problems
This group of persona problems contains unusual or odd considering. Folks recognized with these PDs might socially isolate extra and have issues forming connections with others.
Cluster A persona problems 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
- 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 (might converse in metaphors, or converse with out context)
Cluster B Character Problems
This group of persona problems contains dramatic or erratic conduct. Folks recognized with these PDs might have excessive feelings, low shallowness, or issues with impulse management.
Cluster B persona problems embrace 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 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
- Anxiousness when they aren’t focus
- Extreme deal with bodily look
Cluster C Character Problems
This group of persona problems contains restricted methods of considering. Folks recognized with these PDs might wrestle with confidence or safety, and have bother making choices.
Cluster C persona problems embrace 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 anxiousness
- Hypersensitive to criticism
- Emotions of inadequacy
- Keep away from conditions that would lead to 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 imagine that PDs end result 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 completely different persona problems.
Current research in neuroscience and epigenetics are anticipated to disclose extra details about the character of PDs. A analysis staff found {that a} mutated gene may contribute to people who’ve been recognized with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Obtainable 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—therapy can look completely different for everybody.
Some frequent therapy approaches which are used to deal with persona problems 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 be current)
- Group remedy for particular persona problems
- Self-management instruments could also be taught in remedy classes to handle signs this might embrace journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting outdoors, and so on
Searching for Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our staff of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the advanced nature of persona problems in teenagers. Attain out to our Admissions staff 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.
