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Panamah
08-09-2004, 02:36 PM
1 in 7 have personality disorder

Survey deals with U.S. adult population
August 7, 2004







BY KATHLEEN DOHENY
HEALTHDAY NEWS



NEW YORK -- Personality disorders are much more common in the United States than researchers had thought, affecting nearly one in seven adult Americans, a new survey finds.


Researchers say that 31 million people, or 15 percent of the adult population, suffer from at least one type of personality disorder.


About 43,000 adults were interviewed for the survey, said lead author Bridget Grant. The study appears in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.


Grant is chief of the Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.


Most common was obsessive-compulsive disorder, suffered by 16.4 million -- nearly 8 percent -- of adults. "The person is totally preoccupied with rules, schedules, the need to have perfectionism," Grant said.


More than 9 million, or 4.4 percent, have a paranoid personality disorder - a distrust and suspicion of others, she said.


Nearly 8 million -- 3.6 percent -- have antisocial personality disorder. These people "constantly break the law, hurt other people," Grant said.


And 6.5 million -- 3.1 percent -- have schizoid personality disorder, in which a person detaches from social relationships and has a restricted range of emotional expression.


Nearly 5 million -- 2.4 percent -- have avoidant personality disorder. "This person is very socially inhibited," Grant said. "They feel inadequate as people."


About 4 million -- 1.8 percent -- have histrionic personality disorder, marked by excessive expression of emotions and the seeking of excessive attention. Another 1 million -- 0.5 percent -- have dependent personality disorder, marked by clingy behavior and the need to be taken care of excessively.


Because some people have more than one personality disorder, the numbers total more than the 30 million, the number affected by at least one such disorder.


The survey is part of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which helps physicians diagnose conditions.


"We interviewed face-to-face over 43,000 adult Americans" who were "a representative sample of the U.S.," Grant said.


Grant's team asked a series of questions, then analyzed the answers to see whether the information pointed to a personality disorder.



I think I see a lot of paranoia on message forums and have run into a fair amount in RL. There's one here I don't see... Narcissism. My sister-in-law is a psyhrink, described the disorder to me. Someone totally preoccupied with themselves to the point they only talk about themselves, only care about you insofar as how you make them look. Worked with a guy like that once... gah!

Aly
08-09-2004, 04:09 PM
About 4 million -- 1.8 percent -- have histrionic personality disorder, marked by excessive expression of emotions and the seeking of excessive attention.

This must be where the majority of the uber goobers come from. Spiced up with a bit of narcissim. ^.^~

On a serious note, I am prolly 1 of the 7. In school and at work, I was always very inept in social situations and preferred to just remain a faceless, nameless person in the crowd. I didn't have much self-esteem either, but through friendships in EQ and other online forums/games and through my roleplaying with my friends, I've developed some sense of self worth.

It's amazing how much you can learn about social etiqutte when roleplaying with a group of mature individuals. Course it's hard to find that kind of RP atmosphere online these days unless you're already friends with the group. I did a lot of thinking about this topic years ago and I think the lack of real consequences in RP allowed me to express myself more openly and not be afraid of making mistakes.

Now I'm more open and friendly in social gatherings and I actually know the people I work with instead of just knowing their names.

Jinjre
08-09-2004, 04:22 PM
Someone totally preoccupied with themselves to the point they only talk about themselves, only care about you insofar as how you make them look.

That pretty much sums up both of my ex-brother in laws. Iagoe and I have a saying for those sorts of people: "But enough about me, what about you, what do you think of me?"

guice
08-09-2004, 04:35 PM
Another 1 million -- 0.5 percent -- have dependent personality disorder, marked by clingy behavior and the need to be taken care of excessively.
That's my mother to a nail, well not exactly. I think she has a butt load more problems, but definatly has this one.


I hate to say it, but I"m going to be quite honest here. I think this hits pretty close to me:Nearly 5 million -- 2.4 percent -- have avoidant personality disorder. "This person is very socially inhibited," Grant said. "They feel inadequate as people."
Unless I'm in a setting where I know people, I will almost always just remain in my little corner doing my own thing. I'm very, very, very bad at initiating any conversation. I never know what to say and I always feel nosey when I try to become apart of any conversation where I'm not explicitly already apart of.

Aidon
08-09-2004, 05:03 PM
It must be understood, however, they have a personality disorder for everything. I remember helping a good friend of mine study for her med boards...I saw a question regarding an adolescent who shows a lack of authority and acts out in school (or something to that regard) and it gave some personality disorder or other.

I looked at it, scratched my head and said to her "They have a personality disorder for being a lil *******?"

I mean when 1 in 7 have some sort of "disorder" is really a disorder? Or just a quirk.

Panamah
08-09-2004, 05:13 PM
At what point does a quirk become a disorder? I'd say, if it significantly adversely affects your life or the lives of people around you its a disorder. If it doesn't, then its a quirk.

For instance, someone who is a neat-freak and keeps a very clean house, has a quirk. Someone who has to straighten the fringe on their carpet compulsively every few minutes, has a disorder.

Aly
08-09-2004, 06:06 PM
At what point does a quirk become a disorder? I'd say, if it significantly adversely affects your life or the lives of people around you its a disorder. If it doesn't, then its a quirk.

I can honestly say that my life was affected by my social inhibition. In some ways it still is. You will never see me get up on a stage and sing kareoke solo, but stick me in a group of musicians and I'll happily play all night long. I still don't go out much, but for several years, I never went out. I worked, I watched tv, and I had my online social life -- which was enough at the time to keep me from being depressed.

Anka
08-09-2004, 06:19 PM
"We interviewed face-to-face over 43,000 adult Americans" who were "a representative sample of the U.S.," Grant said.


Grant's team asked a series of questions, then analyzed the answers to see whether the information pointed to a personality disorder.

So by asking 40 thousand people a bunch of questions, i.e. not even a clinical diagnosis, they've decided that 16 million people have mental disorders.

Poor science seems often to be most overfunded and overpublicised. Did you hear about the people who researched how you should butter toast to get the perfect taste? (and seeing what they thought perfectly buttered bread looked like it seems they even got that wrong)

Cantatus
08-09-2004, 11:43 PM
At what point does a quirk become a disorder? I'd say, if it significantly adversely affects your life or the lives of people around you its a disorder. If it doesn't, then its a quirk.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the article. Everyone has their own little quirks with their personality, but that doesn't necessarily constitute as a disorder. Being a perfectionist isn't the same thing as having OCD. I wouldn't classify it as a disorder until it starts interfering with your everday life. If it gets to a point where someone can't even hold down a job because they spend most of their time cleaning their workplace or washing their hands, then it's a problem.

Eridalafar
08-10-2004, 10:39 AM
And who keep the doctor healtly?

I bet that a good number of psy suffer of narcissim (I am better that you, I have the one that know how your spirit work).

And only 1 on 7 have a personality disorder? If you apply all the personality disorder that exist you will get that 10 on 7 person suffert of one them. It true that most of them it what permit us to have fun in live (you love this person, you suffert from a lesser fixation..... or I fear this....).

It when your live go is centered around a (or more) personality disorder that you suffert that you need a traitement.

Eridalafar

Panamah
08-10-2004, 11:17 AM
For the folks that feel socially inhibited, I've had to struggle with that. I'm fairly comfortable talking to small groups of people, doing public speaking and stuff now. Early in my life I was a musician and had to do performances and stuff and it was debilitating at times.

But I sometimes think the Internet isn't really a good thing for people like that. You can hide from having to deal with your problem rather than trying to overcome it.

Aly
08-10-2004, 11:23 AM
But I sometimes think the Internet isn't really a good thing for people like that. You can hide from having to deal with your problem rather than trying to overcome it.

True. I did hide for years, but it was the constant interaction with friends online that helped me to become more confident. Particularly one very good friend. If I ever get nervous when I'm out and about, I just try to play the 'role' and it calms my nerves.

B_Delacroix
08-10-2004, 12:04 PM
I don't have any social disorders. Why do you ask?

Panamah
08-10-2004, 12:13 PM
Do you think people generally recognize when they have a personality disorder?

guice
08-10-2004, 01:17 PM
Do you think people generally recognize when they have a personality disorder?
Obviously not. People these days tend not to think fault onto themselves but onto others. If they have a disorder, they will think everybody else is in the wrong, not themselves. It's very hard for people to view themselves in an unbiased third person view.

Lotharun
08-10-2004, 02:36 PM
Describing the quintessential human condition is pointless. You'd end up with a certain amount of people who fit neatly into the description and more than that who didn't. It's analogous to the dysfunctional family paradox. It turns our that most families are dysfunctional.

What's the disorder for the person who felt the need to bring order to the world by sub-categorizing human personality quirks into varying degrees and then labeling them as disorders?

palamin
08-10-2004, 02:47 PM
I think everyone has at least one personality disorder. I think the defination of normal kinda goes out the window as everyone is unique..... and everyone will go kinda kooky from time to time given the right set of circumstances. I would probably say most personality disorders are pretty harmless for the most part.

For example, I hate being a speaker or going to a concert or being in and around large groups of people. It does not take much the agitate large groups of people. The reason why, I was in the Army N. Guard and had to put down a few riots.... so gettting hit by beer bottles, fresh produce, beat on, while I am just trying to keep things non violent and semi orderly, just by my presence as an armed soldier, without having to resort to Tear Gas and fighting back..... This all kind of contributes to me being skittish around large group of people.

Panamah
08-10-2004, 03:21 PM
Fear of public speaking is the #1 fear that people have, even above fear of death. :) Or at least, that's what I heard in all those public speaking seminars I attended. I wouldn't call it a personality disorder.... unless you're a professional public speaker it doesn't really affect your life with major negative consequences.

What you're describing, Palamin, aren't personality disorders. They're either fears or just dislikes. I dislike crowds too. If I got panicky in them, it might be a disorder. A panic or anxiety disorder. But its just a dislike of them.

Cantatus
08-10-2004, 06:19 PM
Do you think people generally recognize when they have a personality disorder?

I'd say it likely depended on the social disorder and how extreme it is. Something like OCD is a lot more tangible because you can see that you are doing odd things and most people with OCD usually know they have unusual behavior.

Other things like histrionic and antisocial personality disorders aren't something that are likely as easily identifiable to someone who has one of them. If you grow up with it, how would you know it's not just the way you are? I've known people that are clingy or very introverted, but it never occured to me that they could've had a personality disorder. Even in extremes, it might not be so obvious.

TeriMoon
08-10-2004, 07:39 PM
Any professional well-trained in mental health will tell you that from the brief descriptions, and even from a casual reading of the diagnostic criteria these disorders, its very easy to see yourself.

These are characteristics of all people. Some people get caught up with one or a few ways of dealing with people and with their own anxieties about interactions with others. When getting caught up with such things impairs one's ability to function or causes severe emotional distress for long periods of time, it MIGHT then be time for someone to look at whether or not there is a mental impairment.

All these ways of relating to the world and to each other can be functional in the appropriate setting.

Its great to inform yourself about mental illness, its certainly a problem that could use more information and understanding. Unfortunately, these sorts of sensational "articles" do as much harm as good. Its irresponsible in my opinion.

There are many responsible professionals who believe that personality disorders are over-diagnosed and that social mores contribute to the perception of them as disorders as much any real data for all but a few types.