Teenagers are within the prime stage of creating their personalities. They’re exploring their sense of self, constructing connections with others and establishing their views about society.
It is a time with heightened feelings, and generally erratic moods that will make you query, does my child have a character dysfunction?
Character Issues (PDs) will be further tough to diagnose and deal with in teenagers because of this. Nonetheless there are indicators that your teen could also be struggling from greater than easy “moody teen behaviors” that might doubtlessly point out a character dysfunction.
How To Establish A Teenage Character Dysfunction
Figuring out a character dysfunction in teenagers is tough as a result of signs can overlap with different psychological well being circumstances. An official prognosis must be achieved by a licensed healthcare skilled reminiscent of a medical psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
They’ll take an in depth evaluation of your teen’s well being historical past, and a psychiatric analysis to rule out different psychological well being circumstances or acute stressors. The evaluation course of may embody interviews with the teenager, mother and father, or academics to have a greater understanding of their habits.
Indicators Your Teen Suffers From A Character Dysfunction
There are a variety of character problems, every with their very own particular subset of signs.
However on the whole, the 4 key options to concentrate on that will point out a character dysfunction embody:
- Distorted considering and notion of actuality
- Irrational or problematic emotional responses
- Over or beneath regulated impulse management
- Problem functioning in social interactions and unstable relationships
Sorts Of Character Issues In Teenagers
There are 10 official character problems teenagers will be identified with. Character problems are organized into clusters A, B and C based mostly on related displays of signs.
Cluster A Character Issues
This group of character problems contains unusual or odd considering. Individuals identified with these PDs could socially isolate extra and have issues forming connections with others.
Cluster A character problems embody Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal.
Paranoid Character Dysfunction
- Lacks belief
- Extremely suspicious of others and their intentions
- Doubts loyalty of others
Schizoid Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (voluntary)
- Could also be seen as “loners”
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Laborious time exhibiting feelings
Schizotypal Character Dysfunction
- Keep away from intimacy with others (socially anxious)
- Take little to no pleasure in actions
- Laborious time exhibiting feelings
- Disorganized considering and speech (could communicate in metaphors, or communicate with out context)
Cluster B Character Issues
This group of character problems contains dramatic or erratic habits. Individuals identified with these PDs could have excessive feelings, low vanity, or issues with impulse management.
Cluster B character problems embody Borderline, Delinquent, Narcissistic and Histrionic.
Borderline Character Dysfunction
- Concern of abandonment
- Excessive temper swings
- Self-harm or suicidal habits
- Low vanity
- Unstable relationships
Delinquent Character Dysfunction
- Lack regret
- Disregard for the security of oneself and others
- Power mendacity
- Aggressive behaviors
- Extremely impulsive
Narcissistic Character Dysfunction
- Lack empathy
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
- Requires extreme admiration
- Fantasies of limitless success and energy
Histrionic Character Dysfunction
- Sample of attention-seeking habits
- Could also be labeled as overdramatic
- Anxiousness when they don’t seem to be focal point
- Extreme concentrate on bodily look
Cluster C Character Issues
This group of character problems contains restricted methods of considering. Individuals identified with these PDs could battle with confidence or safety, and have bother making selections.
Cluster C character problems embody Dependent, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive.
Dependent Character Dysfunction
- Overly passive or submissive
- Bother making on a regular basis selections
- Feeling uncomfortable when alone
- Problem beginning or finishing duties on their very own
Avoidant Character Dysfunction
- Pervasive sample of social nervousness
- Hypersensitive to criticism
- Emotions of inadequacy
- Keep away from conditions that might lead to failure or embarrassment
Obsessive-Compulsive
- Perfectionism
- Rigid with routines, guidelines, perception programs (could also be perceived as cussed)
- Black and white considering
- Problem coping with criticism
What Causes Character Issues In Teenagers?
The particular causes behind character problems stay a thriller. Many consultants imagine that PDs outcome from a mix of genetics and early childhood experiences.
A research found that individuals diagnosed with BPD expertise extra childhood abuse in comparison with people with completely different character problems.
Current research in neuroscience and epigenetics are anticipated to disclose extra details about the character of PDs. A research team discovered that a mutated gene may contribute to people who’ve been identified with Obsessive-Compulsive PD.
Out there Remedy For Character Issues
Treating character problems requires long-term, ongoing skilled help. Relying on the type of character dysfunction, particular person wants, different underlying psychological well being circumstances and depth of signs—remedy can look completely different for everybody.
Some frequent remedy approaches which can be used to deal with character problems could embody:
- Cognitive Behavioral Remedy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Remedy (DBT) (extra particular to these with Borderline Character Dysfunction)
- Remedy to assist handle signs (may embody antidepressants, temper stabilizers or antipsychotics)
- Eye Motion Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (in circumstances the place trauma may additionally be current)
- Group remedy for particular character problems
- Self-management instruments could also be taught in remedy classes to handle signs this might embody journaling, mediation, motion, artwork, getting exterior, and so forth
In search of Skilled Assist
At Clearfork Academy our group of compassionate licensed therapists perceive the advanced nature of character problems in teenagers. Attain out to our Admissions group to study extra.
Sources
Ozaki, N., Goldman, D., Kaye, W. et al. Serotonin transporter missense mutation associated with a complex neuropsychiatric phenotype. Mol Psychiatry 8, 933–936 (2003).
Bozzatello, P., Rocca, P., Baldassarri, L., Bosia, M., & Bellino, S. (2021). The Role of Trauma in Early Onset Borderline Personality Disorder: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 721361.
