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What is a Cluster B Personality Disorder?

Laura Evans
Laura Evans

Personality disorders are a type of mental illness, and they are organized according to similar characteristics into subgroups called clusters. There are three clusters of personality disorders: A, B, and C. A person with a Cluster B personality disorder might be characterized as being extremely dramatic and self-centered, and illnesses including histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, and borderline personality disorder are in this group.

People with histrionic personality disorder, formerly called hysterical personality disorder, are characterized as being extremely emotional and dramatic. In addition, a person with this disorder wants to be the center of attention all of the time but is also quite sensitive. He or she may be incapable of being in a healthy relationship, may seem shallow to others, may not show care for other people's feelings, and may be inappropriately sexual in dress and actions. Treatment for this condition is complicated by the fact that many people who have this condition do not believe that they need help.

Narcissism is one of the Cluster B personality disorders.
Narcissism is one of the Cluster B personality disorders.

Narcissistic personality disorder is named after the Greek mythical figure Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection in a pond and died because he could not tear himself away from gazing at himself in admiration. People who have this disorder have an exaggerated sense of self-importance and will lie about their achievements. They have a sense of entitlement, may think that others are envious of them, and exhibit a lack of respect for others' feelings, ideas, and goals. Those who have narcissistic personality disorder can be treated with drugs and psychotherapy.

Antisocial personality disorder is a type of Cluster B personality disorder.
Antisocial personality disorder is a type of Cluster B personality disorder.

Men are more likely than women to have antisocial personality disorder, which has been called psychopathic personality disorder in the past. People who have this disorder may lie constantly, have trouble controlling impulsive behaviors, be aggressive, and may have a history of getting in trouble with the law. In addition, those with antisocial behavior disorder do not care about right or wrong and may have difficulty in holding down a job. These individuals can be aggressive with therapists and often refuse treatment.

People with histrionic personality disorder may be inappropriately sexual in dress and actions.
People with histrionic personality disorder may be inappropriately sexual in dress and actions.

Women are more likely than men to have borderline personality disorder, which makes people fear being alone. While a person who has antisocial personality disorder may direct aggression against others, a person who has borderline personality disorder is more likely to be aggressive against herself. In extreme cases, those with this type of personality disorder may become paranoid or hallucinate. This condition is treated with psychotherapy and drugs.

Discussion Comments

anon208577

Individuality should be something one strives for, not classified as a mental disorder. It has been proven throughout history that collective socialism is dangerous for society. People in large groups often tend to gravitate towards negative thoughts and tend to push for perverse ideas as they become the whole of one. In other words they tend to think alike. For instance, a friend sees a blue sports car and thinks it's just the most awesome vehicle she has ever seen, she reports this to her "friends" and quite a few like it too. Pretty soon said sports cars profits rise from sales based on opinion.

So no, never think for yourself, of course you need government, and big business and the healthcare industry to do that for you. Why? Because it benefits their pocketbooks. Duh! Hitler got started the same way.

We perpetually as human beings, tend to repeat history, over and over and over again. No one noticed that Hitler wasn't blond; it was completely missed by the majority of society, yet he was supposedly promoting blond hair and blue eyes? He had neither, folks! How easily the masses are deceived. No critical, individual thinking skills are expected from the masses. That would be a mental disorder. There was heavy sarcasm dripping off of that last sentence.

Another example of "collective" thinking is found in the DSM in which it had classified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Of course, their accusations of psychosis changed drastically when the gay rights activists started making an issue of it.

Once again, you cannot be an individual unless a majority group tells you so.

Why do you think you are spammed every day on your television sets with tons of commercials? Have you ever

counted how many commercials there are during one show? Now get off your butts and go buy the things that big pharma and the industrialists tell you to. Getting the picture yet?

Individuality vs. Herd Conformity (Erich Fromm): which will you choose?

Renegade

It is interesting to note that you find more people with narcissistic cluster B personality disorder in certain cultures than in others. In America, our media and society emphasize various aspects which are considered cool or important: a strong fit body, looking good, and getting things done. People who do these things are prone to look at themselves as "special individuals." In Eastern cultures, individuality is not emphasized as much, and this type of disorder is less prevalent, while other disorders, such as borderline cluster B, may be more prevalent due to strong group-orientation.

Leonidas226

If you think you or a loved one may struggle with one of these disorders, it is important to get a professional opinion. While these disorders can go for years without being noticed or treated, a loving friend or relative can help one to recognize the seriousness of these disorders and subsequently seek treatment, improving their quality of life greatly. It is important to be both sensitive and firm in addressing these issues, and the more close friends approach a person about his or her disorder, the more likely he or she is to recognize that counsel may be helpful to them.

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    • Narcissism is one of the Cluster B personality disorders.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Narcissism is one of the Cluster B personality disorders.
    • Antisocial personality disorder is a type of Cluster B personality disorder.
      By: govicinity
      Antisocial personality disorder is a type of Cluster B personality disorder.
    • People with histrionic personality disorder may be inappropriately sexual in dress and actions.
      By: DrUGO_1.0
      People with histrionic personality disorder may be inappropriately sexual in dress and actions.
    • Histrionic personality disorder is one of the Cluster B personality disorders.
      By: Scott Griessel
      Histrionic personality disorder is one of the Cluster B personality disorders.
    • Borderline personality disorder is more common among women and may lead to self-harm.
      By: ivolodina
      Borderline personality disorder is more common among women and may lead to self-harm.