A Guide to Personality disorder Tests
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) lists ten personality disorders that are classified into clusters. Although each personality disorder has distinct characteristics, each of the different personality disorders is categorized into one of three clusters (cluster A, cluster B and cluster C). The personality disorders that make up each clusters share similar symptoms and have overlapping characteristics. In order to understand how personality disorders are diagnosed, it is helpful to have a general understanding of the different types of personality disorders. The ten types of personality disorders and their associated clusters, as provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) include:
Cluster A: characterized as odd or eccentric personalities
Paranoid: mistrust and suspicion
Schizoid: disinterest in others
Schizotypal: eccentric ideas and behavior
Cluster B: characterized as dramatic, emotional, or erratic personalities
Antisocial: disregard for others, manipulation of others for personal gain, social irresponsibility
Borderline: intolerance of being alone and emotional dysregulation
Histrionic: attention seeking
Narcissistic: fragile self-esteem, underlying dysregulation, overt grandiosity
Cluster C: characterized as anxious or fearful personalities
Avoidant: avoidance of interpersonal contact due to rejection sensitivity
Dependent: submissive and a need to be taken care of
Obsessive-compulsive: rigidity, obstinacy, and perfectionism
It is important to note that there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose personality disorders. Though there are a variety of self-screening personality disorder tests available, in order to obtain proper treatment it is essential to be professionally evaluated and diagnosed by a qualified mental health provider.
DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS
According to the Mayo Clinic, a personality disorder diagnosis will be determined by a physical exam, a psychiatric evaluation, and diagnostic criteria provided in the DSM-5. The diagnosis of a personality disorder, according to the DSM-5 and explicitly outlined by the Mayo Clinic, generally includes “long-term marked deviation from cultural expectations that lead to significant distress or impairment” in a minimum of two of the following areas:
The way you perceive and interpret yourself, other people and events
The appropriateness of your emotional responses
How well you function when dealing with other people and in relationships
Whether you can control your impulses
It is possible for an individual to present with symptoms associated with more than one personality disorder. The fact that many personality disorders share symptoms, contributes to the known difficulty of accurately diagnosing personality disorders, a common phenomena that exists in the mental health field. Other mental health illnesses (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) can further complicate diagnosis.
FOR INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
Navigating the challenges that arise from living with mental illness, struggling with substance abuse, and/ or addiction can not only be all consuming but are often impossible to effectively handle without proper support. If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one in regards to mental illness, substance abuse, and/ or addiction we recommend reaching out for help as soon as possible. Bear in mind that you do not have to be on this journey alone. There is an entire network of professionals that are readily available to help and support you and your loved one throughout every step of the recovery process.
If left untreated, substance abuse, addiction, and/ or mental illness can result in long lasting and potentially life-threatening consequences. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. Please do not hesitate to reach out for guidance. We are always available to answer any questions, and are certainly happy to discuss how we might best be able to help in the recovery process.