What are Cluster-C Personality Disorders?

A personality disorder is a sort of mental illness where you have an unnaturally inflexible way of thinking, acting, and behaving. A personality disorder makes it difficult for the sufferer to perceive and relate to others. This has serious effects on relationships, social interactions, employment opportunities, and educational opportunities.
Anxious, scared thoughts or behaviour are hallmarks of cluster C personality disorders. They consist of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder. Included in it are dependent personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder. Cluster B comprises antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders, while cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Feelings of severe social inhibition, unworthiness, and sensitivity to unfavourable criticism and rejection are characteristics of avoidant personality disorder. However, the signs include more than just being shy or nervous in social situations. Avoiding social, professional, or academic pursuits out of fear of judgement or disapproval, feeling regularly rejected in social situations, being self-isolating, and having low self-esteem are other symptoms. People with avoidant personality disorder believe they are inferior to others and have a low tolerance for criticism. A person with an avoidant personality disorder may be reluctant to speak up in social settings out of fear of saying the wrong thing, blushing, stammering, etc. A personality disorder cannot be diagnosed in childhood because social awkwardness, shyness, fear of strangers, and sensitivity to criticism are frequently considered to be typical aspects of child and adolescent development. Talk therapy and medications are used for treatment.

Dependent Personality Disorder

The inability to remain alone and excessive dependency on others for comfort and support are symptoms of dependent personality disorder (DPD). DPD is a part of personality disorder cluster C. Behaving submissively, relying on friends or family for decisions, needing constant reassurance, being easily hurt by rejection, feeling lonely and anxious when alone, dreading rejection, being too sensitive to criticism, and fearing abandonment are all symptoms of this illness. The development of this illness may be influenced by a history of neglect, an abusive upbringing, being in a long-term abusive relationship, having overprotective or authoritarian parents, and having a family history of anxiety disorders. Typically, psychotherapy is employed as a short-term form of treatment. You run the risk of becoming dependent on your therapist if you receive long-term therapy.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A mental health illness known as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) creates a severe obsession with organization, control, and perfectionism. These actions and ways of thinking make it difficult to finish projects and keep up with relationships. People with OCPD have inflexible views and particular methods for carrying out various duties. They are incapable of making concessions to others and don’t allow for any flexibility. The “Cluster C” personality disorders, which are characterized by worry and fear, include OCPD as one of their disorders. This is distinct from OCD. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have recurring intrusive and unpleasant thoughts (obsessions), which drive you to repeat certain behaviours (compulsions). Most OCD sufferers know the condition’s connection to their behaviour and acknowledge the need for professional assistance in treating it. Rarely, if ever, do people with OCPD show any self-awareness of their actions. In late adolescence or the early 20s, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder frequently develops.OCPD symptoms typically appear in early adulthood. Childhood trauma and genetics are the major factors contributing to OCPD. Scientists have identified a malfunctioning gene that may be a factor in OCPD. Psychodynamic therapy and CBT work along with medication for treatment.

— Poorna Prakash

Krsh Welfare Foundation