You can save your kid if they show some common and early symptoms of Teenage Personality Disorder. Understand it and take action before it reaches a breaking point.
Early signs of personality disorder can lead to life-long suffering and yet proper cure and therapy you can save your child from the formidable outcome that can caused by teenage personality disorder. This article will help you understand the early symptoms and you can take proper steps to save them from a life-long struggle from the following mental disorders:
- Teen Psychotic Disorder
- ADD / ADHD
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Addiction
- Schizophrenia
- Self-Harm
Teenagers with personality disorders can show rigid behaviors and unhealthy thinking processes. To identify the early signs you will have to keep a keen eye on your teenagers and check their behavioral shifts if there are any. Behaving disoriented once might not be considered as something disorder but if they start to behave in a similar way over and over again then it can be considered as Personality Disorder. These common symptoms are:
- Distorted thoughts and indistinct perception of reality
- Problematic emotional reactions
- Unreliable impulse control
- Dysfunctional social interactions and relationships
- Rapid mood swings
- Irrational and unpredictable behavior
- Substance abuse
- Suppressing emotions or being too sensitive to small things
If you witness the following behavioral changes in your child then you need to consider taking for therapy. Sometimes, the reason lies in the family, you will have to make sure that you also understand that it might not be their fault and it can be a repercussion of the following aspects:
- Dysfunctional family
- If family disorder runs in the family
- Any mental illness history
- Chaotic childhood with a lot of unstable relationships or frequent exposure to abuse
- Some behavioral disorders since childhood
- Disparity in the structure or the chemistry of the brain
It is essential that you deal with this process with utmost care and if there is abuse or any sort of family-related issue then try to work on that aspect as well. Otherwise, you can also follow some symptoms to understand the severity of your kid.
- Types of Personality Disorder in Teenagers:
There are various types of Teenage Personality Disorder and these are segregated into various Clusters and Types of Teenage Personality Disorder. There are majorly three clusters based on how your kids are behaving. These three clusters of Teenage Personality Disorder can bring 10 types of personality disorder in kids. Based on their thinking patterns, emotional outbursts, and sensitivity towards negative emotions like fear can cause behavioral disorders for teenagers and for kids as well.
- Cluster A – it involves strange, bizarre, and, eccentric thinking or behavior leading to disorders like Schizoid Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, and Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Cluster B – this involves dramatic, overly emotional, or unpredictable thinking and behavior leading to disorders like Antisocial Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
- Cluster C – this set involves anxious, fearful thinking or behavior leading to conditions like Dependent Personality Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.
Exposure to these sorts of behaviors can be harmful to the present and also to the future. These personality traits will allow you to understand their situation and you can effectively better action to overcome any possible threats to your well-being.
- Common Personality Disorder with Symptoms:
Starting with Cluster ‘A’ Personality Disorder we will discuss each of these clusters in this article. Each of these personality disorders can lead to a lot of severe mental illness in the future yet, pointing out which is affecting your kid can be hard you will need professional supervision and with time they can cope with these disorders and overcome them with proper guidance and care.
- Schizoid Personality Disorder
They can be addressed as loners amongst other kids and can develop a sense of detachment from others. They will restrain themselves from any sort of physical activity and will try to hide their emotions from anyone. The common traits of this disorder are the following:
- Avoid intimacy with others (sometimes voluntary)
- May be seen as “loners”
- Take little to no pleasure in activities
- Hard time showing emotions
However, if treated at an early stage this will not cause any sort of harm to the kid and they can overcome this disorder. In many cases, parents are not educated or aware enough to acknowledge a problem and this can be the actual harm for the kid.
- Paranoid Personality Disorder
Kids with this disorder show in through their trust issues and an incredible amount of suspicion can be shown by your kid. If distrust and hesitation to confide in anyone is what you keep witnessing in your kid then you must take them to therapy sessions to make sure that this doesn’t become something chronic or severe case of personality disorder.
- Lacks trust
- Highly suspicious of others and their intentions
- Doubts loyalty of others
You will keep an eye out for recurring emotions where they think that they have been or will be deceived by others. With the hesitation to divulge their feeling or emotions to anyone else even you as their parents, you should take action immediately before it becomes any worse.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder
You can find out about this disorder by the eccentric way of their talking mannerism or if there’s any change in their regular way of talking. If this is the case, you will need to observe if their behavioral pattern lacks in these aspects like the following:
- Avoid intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in activities
- Hard time showing emotions
- Disorganized thinking and speech (may speak in metaphors, or speak without context)
Everything can be cured and what it takes is time and patience. These three are the most common cluster ‘a’ personality disorders that you will need to understand. Starting with social anxiety to suspiciousness, everything can be a part of this change or behavior.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
To identify this disorder you will have to look for symptoms where they show complete disregard for almost everything. This also involves lying, kleptomania, and the tendency to deceive others or condemn them. This can also translate into aggressive behavior and violent outbursts.
- Lack of remorse
- Disregard for the safety of oneself and others
- Chronic lying habit
- Aggressive behaviors
- Highly impulsive behavior
However, experts do not diagnose children with this disorder if they are below 18 years old. But, teenagers who show these sorts of behaviors which can go up to setting things on fire or similar sort of aberrant activities might get the treatment of Antisocial Personality Disorder.
- Histrionic Personality Disorder
In more formal terms, Histrionic Personality Disorder can be considered as a subtype of narcissism. This disorder can exhibit behaviors like Self-centeredness, imperative attention-seeking, the urge to appear seductive to others, and appear to have heavy mood swings.
- Pattern of attention-seeking behavior
- May be labeled as overdramatic
- Anxiety when they are not the center of attention
- Excessive focus on physical appearance
Teenagers can also show dramatic behavior and they tend to be easily influenced by others. They also tend to believe that their relationships are deeper than they actually are. If diagnosed at an early stage, this behavioral disorder can be cured with proper guidance and instructions.
- Borderline Personality Disorder
According to DSM-5 shows a various forms of instability in self-perception and also in the relationship that involves them. They are mostly having the fear of getting left out and the fear of rejection. This can become chronic if not treated properly.
- Fear of abandonment
- Extreme mood swings
- Self-harm or suicidal behavior
- Low self-esteem
- Unstable relationships
Teens can start to behave dramatically and they also might find it hard to connect with people. Mood swings are also very common for teenagers. If not treated on time, this can lead to anxiety and eating disorders. In severe cases, it can also expose the person to substance abuse and attachment issues.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
As per the reports, almost 6% of the world’s population has been diagnosed with this disorder. This disorder can often be mistaken for mental health issues. It is also seen that males are more affected by this disorder than females, as females are more empathetic while males are often lacking in that quotient.
- Lack of empathy
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
- Requires excessive admiration
- Fantasies of unlimited success and power
If your children lack empathy or seek excessive admiration from others then this can be an initiation of a life-long term of dismissing others’ emotions which can lead to severe volatility in interpersonal and professional relationships. Sometimes it can turn into a god complex and in a few cases it can also turn into low self-esteem and the fear of personal inadequacy.
- Dependent Personality Disorder
This is a cluster c behavioral disorder seen amongst teenagers. This involves severe dependency on others. Adolescents with this disorder can show clingy behavior and also the fear of not being efficient enough to take care of themselves. The common symptoms are:
- Overly passive or submissive
- Trouble making everyday decisions
- Feeling uncomfortable when alone
- Difficulty starting or completing tasks on their own
A severe lack of confidence is what you must look for in your child. They will try to seek advice excessively and will also require constant reassurance from a guiding person. It can be their teachers or their parents concealing can help them to overcome this state. With time they can also try and complete their project independently and make decisions properly.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
APD has been seen in almost 5.2% of the adult population and while diagnosing them it is seen that this disorder has been seeded in their childhood. They mostly are oversensitive to criticism and rejection; they tend to get overwhelmed by the inferiority feeling. The common traits of this disorder were:
- A pervasive pattern of social anxiety
- Hypersensitive to criticism
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Avoid situations that could result in failure or embarrassment
This disorder can start as early as infancy or early childhood, this disorder can almost be mistaken for shyness, reserved, and introverted behavior. Other symptoms like anxiety, social discomfort, and fear of strangers can be the predominant indications of this disorder.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Whether it is fictional characters or people around you, OCD has become a punning topic for almost everyone who does not have it. The anxiety that derives from this disorder can be extremely strong for those who are experiencing it. The signs that will tell you about this disorder are the following:
- Perfectionism
- Inflexible with routines, rules, and belief systems (may be perceived as stubborn)
- Black-and-white thinking
- Difficulty dealing with criticism
If your child is preoccupied with neatness and often sets rules for themselves then you might not encourage them to have a better future. On the contrary, take them to proper guidance to overcome this state with efficacy. Being too rigid or inflexible for their values or standards can be the early signs.
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
DID is the first stage of multiple personality disorder, and if you don’t want your child to get this inner turmoil then you will need to take proper therapy. The symptoms are quite prominent for this disorder and with time it can be overcome.
- Feel needy, weak, and unable to make decisions or function properly without help or support
- Allow others to assume responsibility for many areas of your life
- Agree to things you feel are wrong or you dislike to avoid being alone or losing someone’s support
- Be afraid of being left to fend for yourself
- Have low self-confidence
- See other people as being much more capable than you are
- Be seen by others as much too submissive and passive
This is a result of deep trauma and it can also be a result of abuse. In this case, increasing the distance from the person who has caused the abuse or the trauma should be the foremost approach. DID is often a coping mechanism as a result of trauma with proper guidance it can be overcome and stop any sort of life-altering situation for your child.
- Treatments and Therapy:
Proper therapy and treatments can lead to a cure for the child. With early treatments, you can make sure that your child gets educated not just about the disorder but also they can be more empathic toward people with mental disorders. It is very important to remove the stigma that surrounds this topic and overcome it with proper guidance. The most common types of therapy which can be effective for these scenarios are the following:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) (more specific to those with Borderline Personality Disorder)
- Medication to help manage symptoms (could include antidepressants, mood stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in cases where trauma may also be present)
- Group therapy for specific personality disorders
- Self-management tools may be taught in therapy sessions to manage symptoms this could include journaling, mediation, movement, art, getting outside, etc
Training for better social skills and approved medications can be the best way to overcome this situation for your child. The main way to initiate this therapy is by seeking Professional Help and getting the best option. Not just that you can also try to initiate more empathetic behavior for your child and get the best possible options for them. A balanced life with proper diet and habits can help them to overcome this disorder and bring the best out of their life in the future. Hence, treatment will always be the most crucial part of their growth and the curing process.
