Personality Disorders, World Leaders, and the Rest of Us

What Is a Personality Disorder?

People with psychological personality disorders have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways. Depending on the specific disorder, these personalities are generally described in negative terms such as hostile, detached, needy, antisocial or obsessive (Dobbert 2007).

Classification of Personality Disorders

There is some disagreement as to the number, description, and classification of Personality Disorders. There are currently 10 to 14 conditions that are considered personality disorders. Mental health professionals group those personality disorders that share characteristics into one of three clusters:

Cluster A Personality Disorders are those considered to be marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders are in this category.

Cluster B Personality Disorders are evidenced by dramatic, erratic behaviors and include Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders are distinguished by the anxious, fearful behavior commonly seen in Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders.

READ MORE:

Cluster "A" Disorders: http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/cluster_a_personality_disorders

Cluster "B" Disorders: http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/cluster_b_personality_disorders

Cluster "C" Disorders: http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/cluster_c_personality_disorders

Personality Disorders and World Leaders
Those who seek power and adulation of the masses are frequently the very people who should not be leaders. History is filled with examples of power hungry mad men who lead their nations into ruin. We will examine the personality traits we see in ordinary people as well as in world leaders, and discuss Personality Disorders in general.

We could all have a tendency toward a Personality Disorder.
Personality disorders are unique in that they are exaggerations of traits we might all have. Example: if I carefully pack and plan for a trip including selecting which underwear I will wear every day and color coordinate my ties and socks, I would not be accurately diagnosed as having an obsessive compulsive disorder.

The traits observed must result in a dysfunctional impediment to carry a DSM code. If I was so careful about packing that I missed my flight (dysfunction) then perhaps a diagnostic referral would be in order.

So, it is completely possible to exhibit many of the traits of a personality disorder without meeting the diagnostic criteria.

Please consider being a call-in guest this week on our blogtalk radio show. Our listening audience is expanding. We would like more listener-audience participation! Call in and share your observations about yourself, your friends, your boss, or world leaders!

The support blog for “Call The Shrink” (with visual materials we discuss during the show) is at http://calltheshrink.blogspot.com/

Also See: The Narcissist as Liar and Con-man
Dr. Sam Vaknin

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