Similar to Clusters A and B personality disorders, Cluster C involves long term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy and inflexible. Cluster C disorders are defined by one common characteristic: high levels of anxiety and fear. They often have very specific fears, and avoid confronting them at all costs. This may lead to trouble within relationships, work, school, and other areas of daily functioning.
Included in this cluster are the following disorders:
Avoidant Personality Disorder
People with avoidant personality disorders are typically shy and have intense fears of rejection. They often feel lonely, but refrain from building relationships outside of their immediate family.
Other avoidant personality disorder traits include:
● Regularly feeling unequal or inadequate to others
● Avoiding social activities or jobs that require working around other people ● They need to feel sure about how others view them before interacting with them ● Avoiding conflict
● Difficulty making decisions
● Extreme self-consciousness
● Inability to communicate assertively
● Lack of trust in others
● Misinterpret situations
● Unwilling to take risks or try new things
● Vigilant for signs of disapproval or rejection
These traits only further their abilities to form healthy relationships and social skills. Others may view them as awkward, shy, or distant. All of these things only disrupt any potential success in friendships, romantic relationships, and careers.
Children are unable to be diagnosed with APD. A diagnosis is only possible in early adulthood or later.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder causes people to rely too much on others. As an anxious, fearful disorder, someone with this disorder tends to be very clingy and experience difficulty making decisions independently. This is due to a lack of trust within themselves and can cause issues in relationships.
Other dependent personality disorder traits include:
● Avoiding taking the initiative or responsibility
● The need to be taken care of
● A fear of being alone, perceived as abandonment
● Being submissive to others
● Enduring unhealthy relationships or abuse
● Start new relationships shortly after a breakup
● Lack of opinions
DPD often co-occurs with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a Cluster B personality disorder. These disorders share a fear of rejection and loneliness, avoiding responsibility, difficulty maintaining relationships, and may respond similarly to the slightest criticism.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are overly centered around sustaining order and control. This personality disorder doesn’t experience unwanted or intrusive thoughts, not to be a mistake for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
They are preoccupied with rules, order, and regulations. This perfectionism and control come at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency. Others may perceive them as rigid, controlling, and stubborn.
Other obsessive-compulsive personality disorder traits include:
● Setting uncompromising standards for yourself that are often unattainable ● Inability to throw things away, even when they’re broken or have no use ● Having a hard time assigning tasks to others
● Ignoring relationships because of work or projects
● Lacking flexibility, generosity, and affection
If someone meets the criteria for one personality disorder, they will often recognize other personality disorder symptoms. Although the causes aren’t fully understood, experts believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role in someone developing a personality disorder.
Treatment
All of the disorders listed may co-occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. This is often when people seek professional help.
Cluster C, like any of the other personality disorder clusters, can be challenging to treat. As these perspectives and behaviors become a part of someone’s identity over time, symptoms can be challenging to recognize independently.
You might need to try a few different treatments before you find what works best for you. Psychotherapy- or talk therapy, whether in individual or group settings, is commonly used to treat personality disorders.
Other types of therapy that might help include:
● Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of talk therapy focuses on making you more aware of your thought patterns, allowing you to control them better.
● Dialectical behavioral therapy. This type of treatment is closely related to cognitive-behavioral therapy. It usually involves a blend of one on one therapy and group therapy to learn how to manage your symptoms.
Aside from standard treatment interventions, learning stress management techniques and having a healthy support system can be vital in functioning at your best.
Individual Online Therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, and Utah
At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists understand life can be hard and can affect our emotional and mental health. We also serve those with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship issues, who may be religious. Sessions can be held through online therapy in the states of Florida, Idaho, South Carolina or Utah, or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Book an appointment or contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful life.
