Personality Disorders Plymouth

Causes of Personality Disorders

 

How do Personality Disorders develop?

 

Personality Disorders Plymouth, like other websites, has found that the cause of personality disorders is not known, but it is thought that a combination of several factors makes someone more likely to develop a personality disorder. This if often the case in other mental disorders too.

 

Factors influencing development could include:

 

• genes (passed down from parents)

• biological (brain structure and chemical activity differences found in some people with personality disorders)

  • However there is no brain scan or blood test for personality disorder.

• family history of personality disorder or other mental health condition

• environment (learned coping skills to deal with stress, copying parents)

• psychological (temperament)

• social (early interactions with family and other children, responses, social cues)

• cultural differences

• trauma, neglect, violence or abuse in early childhood

• parents who abuse alcohol or drugs

• too much or not enough close contact/love/affection from parents

• early childhood criticism from others, parents high standards, punishment, unpredictable responses for behaviour causing confusion in how to behave

 

 

 

However, many people with personality disorders have not experienced these life events.

 

Many people with personality disorders cope day to day with symptoms, but triggers can increase the effect of symptoms and cause great distress.

Triggers could include:

• using a lot of drugs or alcohol

• problems getting on with your family or partner

• money problems

• anxiety, depression or other mental health problems

• important events

• stressful situations

• seeing certain people

• smells

• sounds

 

Triggers will be unique and different for everyone and it may be hard to identify them.

It is important to try and identify your triggers so you can prepare for the next encounter or avoid them.

When you have been triggered (e.g. your mood gets worse, anxiety increases or anger boils over) bring yourself to the present in the moment and think of the reason why you may have been triggered.

• what was said

• where are you

• who is with you

• what can you see

 

However, don't worry if you cannot identify your triggers, many people can't. 

In this case the focus is on coping once you have been triggered.