Pathological personality traits.

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Personality is the set of psychological characteristics that define a person, and that influence their way of thinking, feeling and acting. Personality is formed throughout life, and depends on genetic, environmental and social factors. It is unique and individual, and allows people to adapt to their environment and relate to others.

However, there are pathological or so-called non-normal personality traits that have an important impact on all spheres of the individual's psychic and social life, and that are evident in ideas, feelings, behaviors and functioning in society. person. These traits are patterns of thought and behavior that deviate from what is considered normal or adaptive, and that cause discomfort, suffering or problems to the person who has them or their environment.

Pathological personality traits can be classified into different types, depending on the theoretical or diagnostic model used. One of the best known is that of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which groups pathological personality traits into three groups or types, with shared characteristics and symptoms:

- Cluster A personality disorders: People with these disorders have a constant dysfunctional pattern of thought and behavior that is characterized by suspicion or lack of interest in others. Within this group are paranoid disorder, schizoid disorder and schizotypal disorder.

- Cluster B personality disorders: People with these disorders have a constant dysfunctional pattern of thought and behavior that is characterized by impulsivity or emotional instability. Within this group are antisocial disorder, borderline disorder, histrionic disorder and narcissistic disorder.

- Cluster C personality disorders: People with these disorders have a constant dysfunctional pattern of thinking and behavior that is characterized by fear or anxiety. Within this group are avoidant disorder, dependent disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Another theoretical model that is used to study pathological personality traits is that of the big five personality factors, also known as OCEAN, for its acronym in English: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. These factors represent the basic dimensions of personality, and each of them has a series of associated traits. According to this model, pathological personality traits are extreme or unbalanced from normal personality traits.

For example, the openness factor refers to the degree to which a person is curious, creative, imaginative, and willing to experience new things. A pathological personality trait associated with this factor would be psychoticism, which involves having strange, irrational or delusional ideas, or perceiving reality in a distorted way. The responsibility factor refers to the degree to which a person is organized, disciplined, hardworking and reliable. A pathological personality trait associated with this factor would be compulsivity, which implies being excessively perfectionist, rigid, controlling or inflexible. The extraversion factor refers to the degree to which a person is sociable, active, enthusiastic, and seeks stimulation. A pathological personality trait associated with this factor would be disinhibition, which implies being impulsive, irresponsible, reckless or addictive. The agreeableness factor refers to the degree to which a person is cooperative, compassionate, courteous, and respectful. A pathological personality trait associated with this factor would be antagonism, which implies being aggressive, manipulative, selfish or distrustful. The neuroticism factor refers to the degree to which a person is emotionally unstable, anxious, depressed, or vulnerable. A pathological personality trait associated with this factor would be negative affectivity, which implies having negative moods, low self-esteem, guilt or shame.

Pathological personality traits have a complex and multifactorial origin, which involves the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. Some of the factors that can influence the development of pathological personality traits are the following:

- Genetic factors: There is a certain heritability of personality traits, which is estimated between 40 and 60%. This means that some people may have a genetic predisposition to develop certain pathological personality traits, although this does not imply that it is inevitable or determining.

- Environmental factors: The environment in which a person grows and develops can have a significant impact on their personality. Some environmental factors that can favor the appearance of pathological personality traits are abuse, mistreatment, abandonment, violence, stress, poverty, isolation or lack of social support.

- Psychological factors: The way a person thinks, feels and relates to others can be influenced by their life experiences, their beliefs, their values, their expectations and their defense mechanisms. Some psychological factors that can contribute to the formation of pathological personality traits are trauma, attachment, identity, self-esteem, learning or personalization.

Pathological personality traits have negative consequences for the person who suffers from them and for their environment. These consequences can affect different areas of life, such as personal, family, social, work, academic or legal. Some of the most frequent consequences are the following:

- Difficulties in establishing and maintaining healthy and satisfactory interpersonal relationships, both with your partner, family, friends or work or study colleagues.

- Problems adapting to changes, norms, demands or expectations of others, which can generate conflicts, rejection, isolation or social marginalization.

- Mood alterations, which can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, sadness, loneliness or existential emptiness.

- Low self-esteem, distorted self-image, feelings of inferiority, insecurity, guilt or shame, which can affect the person's self-concept and self-efficacy.

- Risky behaviors, which may involve substance use, violence, crime, gambling, sex, driving or compulsive spending, and which may have serious repercussions for physical and mental health, as well as integrity and the freedom of the person.

- Mental disorders, which may appear as a consequence or as a comorbidity of pathological personality traits, and which may require specific treatment. Some of the mental disorders most associated with pathological personality traits are mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, sleep disorders or somatoform disorders. .

Pathological personality traits can be treated through different psychological, pharmacological or combined interventions, depending on their type, severity and evolution. The objective of treatment is to improve the person's quality of life, reduce their discomfort, increase their adaptation and promote their personal development. Some of the most used treatment modalities are the following:

- Psychotherapy: It is a professional help process that is based on the therapeutic relationship between the psychologist and the patient, and that uses specific techniques and strategies to modify dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior, and to promote change and personal growth. There are different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic or integrative, which adapt to the needs and characteristics of each person.

- Pharmacotherapy: It is the use of medications to relieve symptoms or treat disorders associated with pathological personality traits. The most commonly used medications are antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics or neuromodulators, which act on the central nervous system and regulate the functioning of neurotransmitters. Pharmacotherapy should be prescribed and supervised by a doctor, and should be combined with psychotherapy for best results.

- Group therapy: It is a form of psychotherapy that is carried out with a group of people who share a similar problem or situation, and who benefit from support, interaction and mutual learning. Group therapy can be of different types, such as focused group therapy, multifamily group therapy, skills group therapy, or self-help group therapy, and can complement individual therapy or pharmacotherapy.

- Family therapy: It is a form of psychotherapy that is carried out with the family or those close to the person who presents pathological personality traits, and which aims to improve communication, understanding, affection and family coexistence. Family therapy can be of different types, such as structural family therapy, strategic family therapy, narrative family therapy or systemic family therapy, and can help resolve conflicts, strengthen bonds and facilitate the person's treatment.

Pathological personality traits are a complex and diverse reality, which requires comprehensive and personalized attention. They are not a condemnation or a label, but an opportunity for change and growth. They do not define the person, but are a part of them, which can be modified and improved. They are not an obstacle, but a challenge, which can be overcome with the right help.