Types of personality disorders
In this article, we’ll explore the following personality disorders:
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Psychopathy
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Sociopathy
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Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
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Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)
Psychopathy: Emotional Flatness and Lack of Empathy
Psychopathy is often defined by a profound lack of empathy, shallow emotions, and a complete absence of guilt or shame. Emotionally, these individuals appear "flat." It’s not that they feel nothing—they do experience emotions, but in a very blunted, often inappropriate way. Fear response, for example, is significantly reduced.
They can’t truly empathize with others, which allows them to act ruthlessly and manipulatively. Neuroimaging studies show brain differences in areas responsible for emotional processing. But that doesn’t mean every psychopath is a “bad” person or lacks a moral compass. Many understand what is right or wrong on a cognitive level.
Emotions They Do Feel:
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Excitement – especially from risk, dominance, or control.
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Frustration and rage – when things don’t go according to plan.
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Desire – not for intimacy, but for power or stimulation.
Psychopaths often appear charismatic and charming. If you've watched Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), the character "Berlin" is a fictional example of a psychopath—calculating, manipulative, and yet strangely likable. He was so popular that he got his own spinoff series.
They may lie, cheat, or destroy someone emotionally without remorse—all for the thrill. Many enjoy high-stakes situations, gambling, extreme sports, or even criminal activities.
The “Psychopathic Stare”
Ever heard of the psychopathic gaze? It’s described as an intense, unrelenting eye contact that feels oddly invasive—yet lacks any real emotional response. Even their smile can seem off, like it doesn’t quite match the situation. That said, not everyone with intense eye contact has a personality disorder.
Sociopathy: Impulsivity and Volatile Relationships
Sociopathy, like psychopathy, falls under the umbrella of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). However, while psychopaths are often cold and calculated, sociopaths are more emotionally reactive, impulsive, and unpredictable.
Key traits of sociopaths:
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Intense emotions – but poorly regulated. They can explode in anger over trivial things.
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Impulsive behavior – they act without thinking and often regret it later (if at all).
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Unstable relationships – they may struggle to maintain lasting bonds due to their erratic behavior and lack of empathy.
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Rule-breaking tendencies – some sociopaths violate social norms or laws, but not all are criminals. Many live among us as what psychologists call "functional sociopaths.”
Despite their flaws, sociopaths can be goal-driven, persuasive, and charismatic. Some hold high-powered jobs, run businesses, or enter politics. They may even appear charming in social settings, but in close relationships they’re often manipulative, self-centered, and prone to double lives.
Examples:
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A man in line at the store gets bumped. Instead of brushing it off, he starts yelling, threatening violence, and might even throw a punch.
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A woman falls for someone who doesn’t return her feelings. Instead of moving on, she sends revenge porn to his family and friends.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): Ego, Charm, and Deep Insecurity
Core traits of narcissists:
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Grandiosity – they view themselves as exceptional, often exaggerating their talents or accomplishments.
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Need for admiration – constant praise and validation is essential to them. They can’t stand being ignored.
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Hypersensitivity to criticism – even gentle feedback may trigger anger, withdrawal, or a need to retaliate.
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Lack of genuine empathy – while they may understand others’ emotions intellectually, they’re not invested in their well-being.
Many narcissists present a polished exterior, but deep down, they often feel insecure and empty. Their relationships tend to be exploitative and shallow—others are valued only as long as they serve a purpose.
Example:
A narcissistic boss thrives on praise. If an employee suggests he made a mistake, he lashes out, humiliating them in front of the team. A fascinating dramatization of narcissism is found in the Netflix docuseries “Apple Cider Vinegar”. It follows an influencer who fakes cancer, driven by pathological lying and a need for admiration—likely a mix of narcissism and sociopathy. It raises real questions about social media accountability and the emotional pain and mental harm such people can inflict.
Narcissists mirror their victims.
One of their most dangerous tools is mirroring. When a narcissist targets someone, they adopt that person’s interests, mannerisms, and values to create false intimacy. At first, they may seem like your soulmate. Over time, you realize they were just mimicking you.
“Flying Monkeys”
This chilling tactic involves enlisting others to do their emotional dirty work. Narcissists manipulate friends or family to side against their target, allowing them to control or abuse someone without taking direct action. It’s psychological warfare at its most cunning.
Example: A narcissistic manager bullies an employee but convinces the rest of the team that the employee is the problem. When the victim defends themselves, the narcissist plays the victim.
In the next section, I’ll continue with:
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
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Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)
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Therapy and Treatment challenges
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): The Emotional Rollercoaster
BPD is often misunderstood and heavily stigmatized. People with borderline personality disorder aren’t manipulative monsters—they’re usually in immense emotional pain and struggle with self-identity and relationships.
Core traits of BPD:
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Extreme fear of abandonment – even a delayed text reply can trigger panic.
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Rapid mood swings – intense shifts from love to hate, calm to rage.
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Unstable relationships – marked by idealization (“You’re perfect”) and sudden devaluation (“You’re worthless”).
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Impulsive behavior – including reckless spending, binge eating, substance abuse, or risky sex.
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Chronic emptiness – a deep, aching void that nothing seems to fill.
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Self-harm or suicidal thoughts – especially during emotional crises.
Example:
A woman texts her partner, who doesn’t reply for an hour. Convinced he’s leaving her, she threatens to break up or self-harm—then later begs him not to go.
While some with BPD may lash out or manipulate others, these behaviors stem from survival instincts, not malice. They often feel emotions far more intensely than others, and without proper therapy, they may live in a near-constant state of emotional dysregulation.
Important: Many people with BPD are capable of healing and building healthy relationships—especially with the right support and therapy.
Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD): Drama, Charm, and the Spotlight
HPD is perhaps the most theatrical of all personality disorders. Those affected often feel a compulsive need to be the center of attention, regardless of the context.
Key traits:
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Over-the-top emotional expression – often inappropriate or exaggerated.
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Constant attention-seeking – feeling invisible is unbearable.
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Flirtatious or provocative behavior – even in settings where it’s not appropriate.
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Shallow relationships – they may confuse intimacy with attention.
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Suggestibility – easily influenced by others or trends.
People with HPD are often charming, engaging, and fun at first glance. But relationships can become exhausting, as they demand constant validation and may react dramatically to perceived slights.
Example:
A man shares a serious concern with his partner. She starts crying loudly—not because of his issue, but because she feels “not appreciated enough.” The focus quickly shifts back to her.
HPD is more common in women (or at least more often diagnosed in them), and often overlaps with narcissistic traits, though the motivations differ: narcissists seek admiration due to grandiosity; histrionics seek attention to feel loved and visible.
Can Personality Disorders Be Treated?
This is a tough but crucial question.
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Some personality disorders are highly resistant to change, especially those involving low empathy (e.g. psychopathy).
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Others—like BPD—respond well to specialized therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
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Narcissists and sociopaths rarely seek therapy unless forced by external pressure. Even then, many manipulate the therapeutic process itself.
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The core issue is often a lack of insight—many of these individuals don’t believe they have a problem.
However, people who live with individuals with these disorders can benefit immensely from therapy themselves. It helps to rebuild self-esteem, recognize manipulation patterns, and reclaim control over one’s life.
Personality disorders are not rare, and they’re not always obvious. The most dangerous thing about them is not what they look like on the surface, but how they make others feel: confused, ashamed, guilty, unworthy, anxious.
If you suspect you’ve encountered someone with a personality disorder—especially in a close relationship—pay attention to the patterns. Not all difficult people have a disorder, but repeated emotional harm, gaslighting, and manipulation are red flags.
And if you recognize any of these traits in yourself, there’s no shame in that. With the right tools, education, and therapy, change is possible.
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