What problems can be linked to personality disorders?
What problems can be linked to personality disorders?
Overview
There are a range of problems that can be linked to personality disorders. Each involve their own treatment and specialist support. Common problems linked to personality disorder include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance misuse and addiction
- Self-harm and suicide
- Eating disorders
- Chronic pain and illnesses
- Isolation and loneliness
Anxiety
Nearly all personality disorders have some links to anxiety. Personality disorders in the anxious/fearful category are often characterized by their anxiety, and most personality disorders coincide with a severe disruption in coping ability, which in turn makes developing stress and anxiety problems much more likely.
Depression
Research has found a 50% comorbidity rate between major depression and personality disorders, noting that borderline personality disorder is found at consistently high rates among those facing depression.
Substance abuse and addiction
It is very common for people who live with a personality disorder to also battle with substance abuse and addiction problems. Exercise use of alcohol or drugs can lead to behaving impulsively, acting on the spur of the moment, doing things that you might not do normally, and poor physical health. Drug and alcohol misuse also increase the risk of suicide attempts and completions. Antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder have the strongest links with alcohol and drugs
Self-injury and suicide
Self-injury is considered a pervasive problem in several mental health conditions but is especially prevalent in Borderline Personality Disorder also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) . Research shows that individuals with BPD report more frequent, severe and versatile non suicidal self-injury (NSSI) compared to self-injurers without BPD. People with BPD also report higher rates of suicidal ideation.
Eating disorder
People with borderline personality disorder are at greater risk of struggling with an eating disorder than people in the general population. Of course, this is not to say that people with eating disorders necessarily have borderline personality disorder. In fact, most people with eating disorders do not have BPD. Studies argue that one possible explanation is that BPD and eating disorders (particularly bulimia nervosa) share a common risk factor. Both BPD and eating disorders are associated with histories of childhood trauma, such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Chronic pain and illness
The complex relationship between personality disorders and physical health is less understood, and findings to date are varied. However, there is a growing evidence base demonstrating associations between PDs and a number of physical health conditions including arteriosclerosis, hypertension, hepatic, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, and arthritis.
Isolation and loneliness
Loneliness is a common experience for people living with complex emotional needs and personality disorders most particularly those living with borderline personality disorder and may contribute to the severity and persistence of the disorder.
