What Causes Personality Disorders?

An individual’s personality results through years of experiences that relate to a complex set of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. For some people, certain personality traits can lead to problems occurring in their day-to-day life.

Sometimes, when some traits are inhibiting and impairing an individual – they may meet the criteria for a personality disorder.

Each personality disorder is a complex condition – with the causes not entirely known. While the suspected causes differ between the disorders, there do appear to be some factors or triggers involved.

What is a Personality Disorder?

Personality Disorder: A Personality Disorder is a condition which involves an individual thinking, behaving, feeling or relating in a very different way from the average person. There are ten different personality disorders, split into three clusters. The clusters are “odd and eccentric”, “dramatic, emotional and erratic’” and “anxious and fearful”. The different disorders vary considerably, and thus the symptoms of each differ too. Those with a personality disorder may find their symptoms cause them distress, and results in them not living their life how they want to.

What are some potential causes of Personality Disorders?

Given the complexity of personality, it isn’t possible to narrow down the cause of personality disorders to one area. But there are some things to be aware of.

We take a look at some of the factors that appear to increase the chance of a personality disorder developing:

• Genetics: A family history of personality disorders or mental illness may lead an individual to be more susceptible to developing the condition. Certain personality traits – such as a low self-esteem or oversensitivity – may make someone more vulnerable to developing a disorder. Some of these traits could be inherited.
• Childhood and Upbringing: As the childhood years are when a personality is formed, an individual’s experiences in their formative years may impact them. For someone who has had a traumatic experience – such as having an absent parent or alcoholic parent, they may have had their development stunted. Any instability throughout childhood too can have an impact. A lack of bonding between child and parent too could have an impact. Neglect, or a general lack of support too may have an effect. Alternatively, overprotective parenting has been speculated as a possible factor in some disorders. You can read more about this here [1].
• Abuse: Physical, sexual or emotional abuse can lead to any mental health condition developing. Abuse in childhood may particularly have an effect.
• Bereavement: A sudden death, especially of a parent when younger, can be a very difficult experience to go through – and lead to a disorder eventually developing.
• Major Life Event: Major life events, such as unemployment, divorce or even having a baby can have a big effect on someone – potentially altering their personality to the extent where they develop a disorder.
• Other Mental Health Conditions: A condition like Depression, Anxiety or Bipolar Disorder may lead to an individual making many changes to their life – potentially causing them to develop some of the symptoms seen in personality disorders.
• Personality Traits: Some personality traits like low self-esteem or self-loathing can leave someone being vulnerable to developing mental health conditions.
• Substance Abuse: Those that suffer from substance abuse problems may often have a personality disorder concomitantly.  
• Loneliness: Loneliness is difficult to cope with, and can trigger some of the symptoms seen across personality disorders.

Summary

A lot of the time there is no single cause of a personality disorder. It is more often a range of factors or triggers that accumulate. Each condition will have its own speculated causes – each condition has its own page which can be accessed.

Overall, due to the wide array of possible causes, many, many people are prone to seeing a personality disorder develop.

See Also

1. Everything You Need to Know About Personality Disorders
2. What Are The Different Types of Personality Disorders?
3. What Are The Symptoms of Personality Disorders?
4. What Are The Causes of Personality Disorders?
5. How are Personality Disorders Diagnosed?
6. How Can Personality Disorders Be Treated?
7. What is the Prognosis For Personality Disorders?
8. 10 Tips on Living With a Personality Disorder