What are cluster B personality disorders?

Cluster B personality disorders greatly affect a person’s ability to regulate their emotions and behaviours. In Australia today Cluster B disorders have a combined estimated prevalence of 1.5%. Individuals with this disorder find it hard to maintain relationships because their behaviour is often erratic, dramatic or overly emotional. The 4 Cluster B types are: borderline, antisocial, histrionic and narcissistic. Understanding the symptoms of each type can help an individual to seek treatment and receive support from others.

Borderline personality disorder

An individual with borderline personality disorder will have an obvious instability in mood, behaviour and self-image. They may act with extreme anger or sadness in situations that others would not find upsetting. This makes any relationship almost impossible and results in a negative self-image.

Symptoms include:

• Intense or extreme moods, such as anxiety, depression, anger

• Impulsive behaviours, such as quitting a job

• Fear of abandonment

• Unstable relationships

• Harmful behaviours, such as substance abuse or over eating

• Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

BPD can be difficult to manage alone, it's often beneficial to seek out advice and techniques on how to regulate your moods and thoughts. If you are wanting to make a change in your life get in touch with one of these qualified therapists who specialise in BPD.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Someone with antisocial personality disorder will often be manipulative and deceitful. They will blatantly disregard the rights and needs of other people. A person with this disorder tends to show zero remorse for their actions. They may even try to rationalise why they have harmed or deceived others.

Symptoms include:

• Repeated antisocial behaviours, such as stealing or lying

• Aggressive or irritable behaviour

• No regard for their own safety or safety of others

• Impulsive behaviour

• Manipulation or deceit towards others

If you are needing help with being antisocial there are therapists who specialise in antisocial personality disorder who are available now for online therapy sessions.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

A person with histrionic personality disorder will display behaviour which is highly emotional and ‘attention-seeking’. They may come across as very enthusiastic, full of life or even flirtatious. In work environments, they may act in ways that would be seen as inappropriate in that context. The individual with this disorder believes that their behaviour is normal and is often unaware that they are causing issues.

Symptoms include:

• A need to to be the centre of attention (and unhappy when not)

• Shallow emotions which can quickly change

• Easily influenced by peers

• Acting dramatically or even theatrically when expressing emotions

• Behaving in ways that others would see as provocative 

• Believing that people are closer to them then in reality 

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Those with narcissistic personality disorder tend to believe and act as if they are superior to others. Their behaviour is often grandiose and they have a strong desire to be admired. These individuals also lack empathy and do not take any criticism or losing well at all.

Symptoms include:

• Ridiculous fantasies of power, beauty, success or love

• Vulnerable self-esteem

• A strong sense of entitlement

• A tendency to take advantage of other people

• Arrogant and condescending behaviour

• A personal belief that they are ‘special’ and only can be understood by others they view to be like them

It's difficult to self diagnosis yourself whether narcissistic personality disorder, if you are worried about your state of mind and looking for advice, it's always best to chat with a qualified therapist who specialises in narcissistic personality disorders.

Although there is no cure for Cluster B personality disorders, understanding the symptoms is important in helping people with these conditions. There are treatments and ways to manage an individual’s moods and help change certain behaviours.

If you feel you are in need of help reach out to a specialised mental health practitioner.