Teenage years are rocky. In addition to the physical changes that come with puberty, Alpine Academy Utah reviews have revealed that there is a tremendous number of emotional and social growth that occurs in just six short years.
Teens begin to yearn for independence, start thinking about social issues, and navigate complicated peer influence and romantic relationships.
Complicating matters is that personality disorders that may begin to develop during early adolescence. Generally marked by a pattern of behavior or thought that can lead to either impairment or distress, personality disorders impact everything from emotions to cognition.
Daily functioning can become difficult, impulses are hard to control, and life can feel unstable.
Personality disorders are often difficult to diagnose in teenagers, but there are several common conditions found in teenagers that differ from typical “teenage behavior.”
Borderline Personality Disorder
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), borderline personality disorder may be diagnosed as early as 13. It is organized under Cluster B of personality disorders that are marked by antisocial tendencies, emotional disruption, and impulsivity.
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by instability in moods, relationships, behavior, and self-image. Symptoms of the condition do not vary between teenagers and adults.
They include intense and common mood changes, risky behavior, depression, struggling to form and keep relationships, paranoia, and often self-harm.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Also grouped under Cluster B, histrionic personality disorder in teens is primarily characterized by situations and feelings that are overly dramatized and emotional overreaction. Teens with HPD constantly seek gratification, attention, and assurance from others.
Emotions run high during the teenage years, but those with HPD take emotional reactions to an ever-higher level. There can be seductive behavior or appearance that is inappropriate and emotional states that shift so quickly that others interpret it as shallow.
Excessively dramatic, teenagers diagnosed with HPD are so extremely easily influenced by others, are overly concerned with their appearance, and make consistently impulsive decisions.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
As teens develop their own personality and identity, displays of self-centeredness are often common. Those with narcissistic personalities, however, have a sense of self that is overly inflated, an unwavering need to garner excessive admiration from others, a giant ego, and a highly bloated feeling of self-importance.
The characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder go beyond selfishness. Those with the condition are constantly envious of others, hampered by a strong sense of entitlement, and have a general feeling of superiority. They take control of conversations and manipulate others.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Found in Cluster A, paranoid personality disorders are defined by extreme feelings of suspicion and distrust. There are constant fears that are irrational and strong feelings of mistrust. Teens with paranoid personality disorder become independent to an excessive degree, motivated by feelings that others are attempting to control them or are motivated by general dishonesty.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
If there is a severe lack of interest in both personal and social relationships, a teen may have schizoid personality disorder. The condition is also characterized by emotional expressions that are extremely limited and an inability to derive happiness through a range of activities. One also seems instantly dismissive of other people and appears to not care about who or what’s going on around them.
