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Causes of Personality Disorder


There is constant research being conducted on the possible causes of personality disorders. Studies show that the interaction of several factors that interact with each other and this leads to the development of a personality disorder. These factors include:

  • Genetics and Heredity: Experts believe that there is a genetic link between mental health problems and disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
  • Trauma: Emotional trauma especially during childhood may lead to a personality disorder.
  • Family Circumstances: Growing up with negligent or abusive parents or a lack of discipline and supervision could also lead to mental health disorders.
  • Environmental Factors: The events in your life, your relationships, and your work environment can all affect and determine your personality and lead to the development of mental health problems as well.
While the precise cause of personality disorders remains unknown, there are certain risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing such disorders such as:

  • Family history of mental illness of personality disorders
  • Abuse during childhood (sexual, physical or verbal abuse)
  • Low socio-economic status
  • Unstable childhood
  • Emotionally traumatic events such as death of a loved one or divorce
  • Being diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder


Signs & Symptoms
Diagnosis
References
  1. Laurence Claes, Stefaan Vertommen, Dirk Smits, Patricia Bijttebier, Emotional reactivity and self-regulation in relation to personality disorders, Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 47, Issue 8, December 2009, Pages 948-953, ISSN 0191-8869, 10.1016/j.paid.2009.07.027.
  2. Jonathan Davidson, Robert Miller, Rosemary Strickland, Neuroticism and personality disorder in depression, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 8, Issue 2, March–April 1985, Pages 177-182, ISSN 0165-0327, 10.1016/0165-0327(85)90042-4.
  3. Patricia Bijttebier, Hans Vertommen, Coping strategies in relation to personality disorders, Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 26, Issue 5, 1 May 1999, Pages 847-856, ISSN 0191-8869, 10.1016/S0191-8869(98)00187-1.
  4. Mary McMurran, Conor Duggan, Gary Christopher, Nick Huband, The relationships between personality disorders and social problem solving in adults, Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 42, Issue 1, January 2007, Pages 145-155, ISSN 0191-8869, 10.1016/j.paid.2006.07.002.