Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTypesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Types
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Mixedpersonality disordersare mental health conditions diagnosed when someone’s symptoms don’t fall neatly into one of 10 established types, or they have more than one co-occurring type. In the United States, about 9% of adults have at least one personality disorder.Mixed personality disorder affects about 3% to 6% of adults.
Personality disorders can interfere with many areas of life, and they can cause poor coping skills and relationship difficulties. They feature thought and behavior patterns that might be described as odd or eccentric, emotional and erratic, or fearful and anxious, depending on the type.
This article discusses mixed personality disorder types, and their symptoms, causes, and treatment. It offers information about how to seek help for someone experiencing symptoms.
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Symptoms of Mixed Personality Disorder
People diagnosed with personality disorders often exhibit rigid behavioral traits and thought patterns. It makes it difficult for them tocontrol their impulses, adapt to different people, situations, and experiences, and maintain healthy relationships.
The criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis include all of the following:
Personality disorders affect at least two of these areas:
A 2020 study found that people with mixed personality disorder showed less ability to accurately read certain emotional facial expressions compared to people without mixed personality disorder.The study also found that people with mixed personality disorder reported poorer self-regulation of their emotions in stressful situations.
“The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” Fifth Edition (DSM-5) labels mixed personality disorder as “personality disorder trait specified.” The DSM-4 called it “personality disorder not otherwise specified.”
Types of Personality Disorders
There are 10 personality disorder types.They are organized into clusters based on common themes between them.
Cluster A - Semi-Psychotic Theme
People with these personality disorders display odd behavior, which often disrupts their relationships.
Paranoid personality disorder:
Schizoid personality disorder:
Schizotypal personality disorder:
Schizophrenia and Schizotypal Personality DisorderPeople diagnosed withschizophreniatypically experiencehallucinations(seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) ordelusions. People with schizotypal personality disorders don’t have these symptoms of psychosis.However, they are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia over time.
Schizophrenia and Schizotypal Personality Disorder
People diagnosed withschizophreniatypically experiencehallucinations(seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) ordelusions. People with schizotypal personality disorders don’t have these symptoms of psychosis.However, they are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia over time.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
Cluster B - Dramatic Behavior, Entitlement, Moodiness, Poor Impulse Control
People with these personality disorders display behavior that is dramatic (with intense emotions) or erratic and impulsive.
Antisocial personality disorder:
Borderline personality disorder:
Histrionic personality disorder:
Narcissistic personality disorder:
The 4 Types of Cluster B Personality Disorders
Cluster C - Anxious-Depressed Theme
People with these personality disorders display anxiety or ongoing fear.
Avoidant personality disorder:
Dependent personality disorder:
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:
Mixed personality disorder means you have symptoms that cause dysfunction, but you don’t meet the criteria for any specific personality type. It’s also possible to fully meet the criteria for more than one personality type.
Causes of Personality Disorders
An exact cause of any personality disorder is not known. It’s believed to be a result of a combination of factors, including:
Diagnosis of Personality Disorder
People with personality disorders often aren’t aware that they have a problem.They may only seek a diagnosis and treatment when they’re made aware of how their behavior is affecting those around them.
A diagnosis often begins with a primary healthcare provider. Typically, they will:
The healthcare provider may make a referral to a mental health professional who will use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a personality disorder.
Personality Style vs. Personality DisorderHaving a personality style or specific trait isn’t necessarily a problem. For instance, someone who is shy or introverted doesn’t necessarily have a personality disorder.The difference is how it affects the person’s level of functioning in certain areas, including:WorkRelationshipsFeelings/emotionsSelf-identityAwareness of realityBehavior and impulse control
Personality Style vs. Personality Disorder
Having a personality style or specific trait isn’t necessarily a problem. For instance, someone who is shy or introverted doesn’t necessarily have a personality disorder.The difference is how it affects the person’s level of functioning in certain areas, including:WorkRelationshipsFeelings/emotionsSelf-identityAwareness of realityBehavior and impulse control
Having a personality style or specific trait isn’t necessarily a problem. For instance, someone who is shy or introverted doesn’t necessarily have a personality disorder.
The difference is how it affects the person’s level of functioning in certain areas, including:
Mixed Personality Disorder Treatment
Once it’s established that a person has a mixed personality disorder, the healthcare provider or mental health professional will need to examine the specific symptoms and how they interact and influence each other.
The go-to treatment for personality disorders is psychotherapy (talk therapy).There are several types available. The right approach depends on your needs and how well you respond to each type:
There is no medication specifically for treating personality disorders and medication is not generally a first-line treatment; psychotherapy is the gold standard.Medication may be prescribed to help with specific symptoms such as anxiety. It may also be given to treat conditions that are present in addition to the personality disorders.
These might include:
Prognosis of Mixed Personality Disorder
Mixed personality disorder is under-studied. A precise prognosis can’t be accurately made using current research. However, one review found promising results for significant and meaningful changes after psychotherapy in individuals with mixed personality disorder.
Coping With Mixed Personality Disorder
People with any type of personality disorder should receive professional treatment, but there are self-care strategies that can help in addition to that treatment.
Help Is AvailableIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Help Is Available
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Summary
A person with mixed personality disorder meets the criteria for a personality disorder but does not meet the full criteria for a specific type of personality disorder. Instead, they show characteristics from multiple types.
Treatment for mixed personality disorder is typically a form of psychotherapy. Medication may also be prescribed for specific symptoms or for other conditions that you have.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holder S.Mental Disorders: Personality Disorders.FP Essent. 2020 Aug;495:11-16. PMID: 32757561.Silva S, Donato H, Madeira N.The outcomes of psychotherapy in mixed features personality disorders: a systematic review.Arch Clin Psychiatry (São Paulo). 2018;45:161-166. doi:10.1590/0101-60830000000180American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.American Psychiatric Association.What are personality disorders?Czekóová K, Shaw DJ, Pokorná Z, Brázdil M.Dissociating profiles of social cognitive disturbances between mixed personality and anxiety disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00563Psychology Today.Mixed personality disorders are more common than you think.American Psychological Association.Psychosis.Kirchner SK, Roeh A, Nolden J, Hasan A.Diagnosis and treatment of schizotypal personality disorder: evidence from a systematic review.NPJ Schizophr. 2018;4(1):20. doi:10.1038/s41537-018-0062-8American Psychiatric Association.What causes personality disorders?Kramer U, Eubanks CF, Bertsch K, Herpertz SC, McMain S, Mehlum L,et al.Future Challenges in Psychotherapy Research for Personality Disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Nov;24(11):613-622. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01379-4.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holder S.Mental Disorders: Personality Disorders.FP Essent. 2020 Aug;495:11-16. PMID: 32757561.Silva S, Donato H, Madeira N.The outcomes of psychotherapy in mixed features personality disorders: a systematic review.Arch Clin Psychiatry (São Paulo). 2018;45:161-166. doi:10.1590/0101-60830000000180American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.American Psychiatric Association.What are personality disorders?Czekóová K, Shaw DJ, Pokorná Z, Brázdil M.Dissociating profiles of social cognitive disturbances between mixed personality and anxiety disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00563Psychology Today.Mixed personality disorders are more common than you think.American Psychological Association.Psychosis.Kirchner SK, Roeh A, Nolden J, Hasan A.Diagnosis and treatment of schizotypal personality disorder: evidence from a systematic review.NPJ Schizophr. 2018;4(1):20. doi:10.1038/s41537-018-0062-8American Psychiatric Association.What causes personality disorders?Kramer U, Eubanks CF, Bertsch K, Herpertz SC, McMain S, Mehlum L,et al.Future Challenges in Psychotherapy Research for Personality Disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Nov;24(11):613-622. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01379-4.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Holder S.Mental Disorders: Personality Disorders.FP Essent. 2020 Aug;495:11-16. PMID: 32757561.Silva S, Donato H, Madeira N.The outcomes of psychotherapy in mixed features personality disorders: a systematic review.Arch Clin Psychiatry (São Paulo). 2018;45:161-166. doi:10.1590/0101-60830000000180American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.American Psychiatric Association.What are personality disorders?Czekóová K, Shaw DJ, Pokorná Z, Brázdil M.Dissociating profiles of social cognitive disturbances between mixed personality and anxiety disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00563Psychology Today.Mixed personality disorders are more common than you think.American Psychological Association.Psychosis.Kirchner SK, Roeh A, Nolden J, Hasan A.Diagnosis and treatment of schizotypal personality disorder: evidence from a systematic review.NPJ Schizophr. 2018;4(1):20. doi:10.1038/s41537-018-0062-8American Psychiatric Association.What causes personality disorders?Kramer U, Eubanks CF, Bertsch K, Herpertz SC, McMain S, Mehlum L,et al.Future Challenges in Psychotherapy Research for Personality Disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Nov;24(11):613-622. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01379-4.
Holder S.Mental Disorders: Personality Disorders.FP Essent. 2020 Aug;495:11-16. PMID: 32757561.
Silva S, Donato H, Madeira N.The outcomes of psychotherapy in mixed features personality disorders: a systematic review.Arch Clin Psychiatry (São Paulo). 2018;45:161-166. doi:10.1590/0101-60830000000180
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.
American Psychiatric Association.What are personality disorders?
Czekóová K, Shaw DJ, Pokorná Z, Brázdil M.Dissociating profiles of social cognitive disturbances between mixed personality and anxiety disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00563
Psychology Today.Mixed personality disorders are more common than you think.
American Psychological Association.Psychosis.
Kirchner SK, Roeh A, Nolden J, Hasan A.Diagnosis and treatment of schizotypal personality disorder: evidence from a systematic review.NPJ Schizophr. 2018;4(1):20. doi:10.1038/s41537-018-0062-8
American Psychiatric Association.What causes personality disorders?
Kramer U, Eubanks CF, Bertsch K, Herpertz SC, McMain S, Mehlum L,et al.Future Challenges in Psychotherapy Research for Personality Disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Nov;24(11):613-622. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01379-4.
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