A Brief Introduction to Personality Disorders

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Dr. David Steinbok is a licensed clinical psychologist. In his practice, David Steinbok diagnoses and treats various personality disorders.

Personality refers to how you think, feel, and behave, and the ways in which that makes you different from other people. Beyond representing the pattern of how you view and react to the outside world, it also relates to how you see yourself. Personality comes about as a result of your experiences, your environment, and inherited characteristics.

A personality disorder, therefore, is an unhealthy and rigid pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that is different from what is expected. People with personality disorders have problems perceiving or relating to situations, causing difficulty in their relationships and social and professional lives.

Personality disorders often begin when a person is in his or her late adolescence or early adulthood. Those with the disorder may not be aware of it since the behavior is natural to them. Overall, there are 10 different types of personality disorders, each with its own unique symptoms and characteristics. These disorders are best diagnosed and treated by qualified psychiatrists. If you suspect that you may have a personality disorder, consult a psychiatrist for assistance.