What are the Signs of Severe Personality Disorders?

Identifying whether someone has a severe personality disorder, such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), requires keen observation and a comprehensive understanding of their behavior. While extreme actions might clearly indicate a serious problem, subtle signs often point to underlying issues in behavior and interactions. The best indication of a severe personality disorder is their past history with people, jobs, family relationships, and other social interactions.

Recognizing Subtle Signs of Severe Personality Disorders

Severely disordered individuals do not interact with others in a healthy manner; they often dominate and exploit relationships, and may diminish others to amplify their own value or status.

Superficial admirers and flatterers can exist around such individuals due to their carefully curated image, but these relationships are often based on shallow connections rather than genuine emotional attachment. People with severe personality disorders may move quickly in relationships or close situations, which should be considered as a red flag. The faster the relationship develops, the more likely it is to be a bad situation, regardless of a specific diagnosis.

Individuals who are mentally and emotionally healthy are more likely to spot or sense irregularities with unhealthy individuals before getting too close. If you frequently end up in bad situations and relationships, it could be indicative that there's something requiring attention or healing within you to stop being drawn to people who are not good for you.

Characteristics and Indicators of Severe Personality Disorders

Immaturity: Those with severe personality disorders often display immaturity in their behavior. They may struggle with emotional maturity and have difficulty admitting fault or taking responsibility for their actions. They might exaggerate their importance or the sacrifices they made, turning your birthday into a reflective moment for them rather than a joyous celebration.

Mirroring and Deception: They tend to mirror or adapt their behavior based on others' responses, often twisting the truth to their advantage. Telling tall tales to manipulate others is common, and they celebrate their own sacrifices or contributions while diminishing others. They may use guilt trips to control or manipulate you.

Dishonesty and Dishonesty: Dishonesty is a hallmark of severe personality disorders. They might make promises they do not intend to keep and lie frequently. They might even believe their own lies over time, creating a cycle of deceit. They avoid admitting mistakes and often blame others, leading to a poor work record and constant conflicts in personal and professional relationships.

Family and Social Relationships: Family members and friends may start to distance themselves due to the deceit and manipulative nature of the individual. They may have poor social relationships and either do not have, or have questionable, friends. This is often due to their tendency to exploit and control others, leading to the breakdown of meaningful connections.

Shallow and Vandalistic Behavior: These individuals are often described as shallow and may have a quick temper, which can escalate to violence. Their behavior is often rationale-driven, making poor judgments and lack of long-term planning common.

Manipulative and Controlling: They try to keep you away from friends and family, viewing them as potential threats to their dominance. They might sabotage relationships to maintain control, making poor judgements and decisions that do not align with your well-being.

It is crucial to recognize these signs and indicators to understand and address severe personality disorders effectively. If you find yourself in such situations repeatedly, it is essential to consider seeking professional help and support.