Disorders
Learn more about mental health disorders that affect you or someone you love.
About Avoidant Personality Disorder 
Avoidant personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by a lifelong pattern of extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and sensitivity to rejection. Personality disorders are long-lived patterns of behavior that cause problems with work and relationships. Alzheimer Disease
Alzheimer disease is a form of dementia (loss of cognitive ability) that was noticed by Alois Alzheimer in 1906. It is recognized by three stages: early, middle, and severe, and is currently without a cure. Anxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the five anxiety disorders and can be disabling at its worst. Extreme worry and fear can often prevent people from doing everyday tasks and often worsens during stressful situations. Asperger Syndrome
Autism has received much attention in the press and the medical community, especially regarding its treatment. Specific forms of autism have different symptoms and need specific treatments. Body Language and Personality Disorders
Persons with personality disorders have a body language specific to their disorder. The patientīs body language usually reflects the underlying mental health problem. Read inside for more information about possible stances stemming from different personality disorders. Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness characterized by instability of emotions, relationships, life goals, and uncertain self-identity. Brain Injury and Personality Disorders
Traumas (such as brain injuries) have been known to induce states of mind akin to full-blown personality disorders. Read more about personality characteristics, traits of this specific kind of disorder and treatments that may be relevant. Cluster B Personality Disorders
Cluster B disorders, (the Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Cluster)are comprised of the Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. We start with Cluster B because the personality disorders it includes are more pervasive in our society. Common Features of Personality Disorders
Psychology is more an art form than a science. There is no "Theory of Everything" from which one can derive all mental health phenomena and make falsifiable predictions. Still, as far as personality disorders are concerned, it is easy to discern common features. Diagnosing Personality Disorders
Personality traits are enduring, usually rigid patterns of behavior, thinking(cognition), and emoting expressed in a variety of circumstances and situations and throughout one's life (typically from early adolescence onward). Some personality traits are harmful to both oneself and to others. Eating Disorders
Nearly everyone knows that eating disorders exist. Heres what you need to know about the reality of how easy they are to acquire and how to keep yourself and your friends safe. Family Members with Mental Illness
Sometimes having a family member who suffers with a mental illness is just as hard as having a mental illness yourself. Here is some information on how to cope. Genetics and Personality Disorders
Are personality disorders the outcomes of inherited traits? Are they brought on by abusive and traumatizing upbringing? Or, maybe they are the sad results of the confluence of both? Histrionic Personality Disorder
Sam Vaknin discusses Histrionic Personality disorder, which is a less well known personality disorder than some. Like the somatic narcissist, the histrionic is preoccupied with physical appearance, sexual conquests, her health, and her body. Internet Addiction Disorder
Internet addiction is currently not included in the DSM-IV as a formal disorder. Some experts agree that it is a compulsive behavior; therefore, not necessarily an addiction. Others see it as an undesirable or troublesome behavior since it takes away time from more important activities. Misdiagnosing Narcissism - Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
By Sam Vaknin
Author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited"
Misdiagnosing Personality Disorders as Asperger's Disorder
Learn how Aspergerīs Disorder is often misdiagosed as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Misdiagnosing Personality Disorders as Bipolar I Disorder
The manic phase of the Bipolar I Disorder is often misdiagnosed as a Personality Disorder. In the manic phase of Bipolar Disorder, patients exhibit many of the signs and symptoms of certain personality disorders which will be described further in this article by Sam Vaknin. Narcissist vs. Psychopath - Similarities and Differences
Sam Vaknin clarifies common misconceptions about Narcissistic and Antisocial Personality Disorders National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders [offsite link]
Get information and support about Anorexia Nervosa. Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder
Wikipedia: "Merely being passive-aggressive isn't a disorder but a behavior - sometimes a perfectly rational behavior, which lets you dodge unpleasant chores while avoiding confrontation. It's only pathological if it's a habitual, crippling response reflecting a pervasively pessimistic attitude." Phobia Anxiety Disorders
There are over a hundred different phobias from fear of flying to nosocomephobia, fear of hospitals. The actual cause of phobias is unknown; however, children may learn phobias by observation, especially a family member's extreme reaction to an object or situation. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
About one third of people who experience a traumatic event develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic condition that interferes with their ability to function. This article outlines PTSD symptoms and encourages people with PTSD to seek healing through education and support. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome, which occurs about five to 11 days before a menstrual cycle. Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disorder that is often times misunderstood and feared by those outside of the disorder. Read more about what this mental illness can entail, including possible symptoms and medications that are used to treat the disorder. Psychosis, Delusions, and Personality Disorders
What is psychosis? How does this connect to a personality disorder? What does this person experience? Sam Vaknin takes a closer look at severe impairment with a mental health disorder and the experiences and rationalizations that go along with it. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious, chronic disorder that affects about 1 percent of people worldwide and is often confused with dissociative identity disorder (split or several personalities). Schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations and odd behavior, but the personality itself is intac Social Anxiety Disorder - SAD
"I hope he doesnīt talk to me..." "Why are they looking at me that way?" "I wish I could just go home so I donīt have to deal with this." Sound like you? Someone you know? Could be Social Anxiety! Read more inside to figure out why. Stigma and Mental Illness
Fear of stigma (negative stereotypes, labeling, and rejection) causes the majority of people with mental disorders to suffer in silence. By educating ourselves and others, we can fight this stigma and restore hope and dignity to people suffering from mental illness. What is Bulimia? [offsite link]
A great content rich site about bulimia and other eating disorders. What is Mental Illness
Mental illness can be difficult to understand and often society has a hard time not making fun of it. A clear and concise definition of what it is - and isn't. What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Learn the basics about this quite common illness - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder What is Psychosis
Psychosis is a misunderstood symptom of many mental illnesses. Here is an explanation in plain English. When others donīt believe in mental illness
Why are some people dismayed to learn that a friend takes medication for a mental illness, saying, "Itīs all in your head?" The expression is disdainful, because it implies a lack of willpower or toughness. Why are we Fascinated by Evil and Evildoers?
Throughout human history, ferocity, mercilessness, and lack of empathy were extolled as virtues and enshrined in social institutions such as the army and the courts. Although usually deplorable in nature we are still curious. Read more to find out why. Links marked with the [offsite link] designation point to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.
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