What is a personality disorder?
Q: What is a personality disorder?
A: A personality disorder (PD) or character disorder is a type of mental disorder where a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviours are rigid and unworkable in comparison to how society expects them to be.
Q: How do personality disorders affect people?
A: Personality disorders can cause lasting problems for the person with the PD as well as those around them.
Q: Are personality disorders classified as mental disorders?
A: Yes, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, personality disorders are classed as a kind of mental disorder.
Q: Who treats people with PDs?
A: People with PDs are treated by medical professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists.
Q: What percentage of adults have PDs?
A: About ten percent of adults have PDs.
Q: What causes personality disorders?
A: Personality disorders are often caused by child abuse and trauma.