Problems can arise by labelling them ‘disorders’ – why not just know that there are differing personalities? We can read, experience and study all kinds of material about the distinctions of personality disorders, though I suspect even those that you may not consider to have one, could be seen as fitting nicely into a category of some sort.

Helen, I really value your contribution, thank you.

My own personal experience has recently brought me into contact with people who have serious personality disorders. In particular the antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders have very close links with psychopath or sociopath. In fact, the antisocial PD is defined as psychopath, with the narcissistic PD not far behind. Antisocials tend to be more inclined towards criminality, but both lack empathy and are very manipulative and controlling.

There are 2 other “emotional” disorders which are the histrionic and borderline PD. Others include the “anxious or fearful” – dependent, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive – and the “erratic” – paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal.

Having spent some hours looking into the subject, I have realised that my work as a therapist is going to bring me into contact with people with personality disorders as well as people dealing with the chaos from having someone around them with a PD. We are living in an increasingly narcissistic society and the problems will become worse, not better. There are reasons why people develop disordered personality traits, often down to childhood experiences and upbringing. This can include having a parent with a PD.

Having had a very distressing experience in recent weeks, I can vouch for the chaos and confusion they can cause, which can lead to one questioning one’s own sanity! My own experience is with a narcissist.

I am finding that there is very little knowledge of, or understanding of, personality disorders, even though there are many people who have them. I am currently on a mission to educate people, hence the synchronicity in finding that you are touching on the same thing!