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Personality Disorders


Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Personality disorders are chronic mental disorders. People with these disorders have behaviors that make it hard for them to function in society. Affected people usually do not learn from mistakes and do not adapt well to changes in their lives. These disorders usually start before or during the teenage years.

What is going on in the body?

Most people can live fairly normal lives with mild disorders. But when stress increases, symptoms often increase and begin to interfere with the person's ability to function.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown. Some theories include:

  • biological causes, such as genetic defects, or head injury
  • social causes, or learned responses
  • psychological causes, such as poor parent-child relationships

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