Unpredictable and Erratic Behavior Patterns

Introduction

A personality disorder is a mental health condition that can affect an individual’s way of thinking, behaving, and relating to others. These can cause significant distress and the individual might resort to harmful coping strategies. Individuals with cluster B personality disorders have difficulty managing their emotions and maintaining relationships. Their behavior could be erratic, unpredictable, dramatic, or extremely emotional. According to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), a pattern of behavior is considered a personality disorder only if it causes an individual to struggle in normal situations or is bothersome to the person.

What Are the Three Main Clusters of Personality Disorders?

Based on the guide called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), which is used to diagnose mental health conditions, the following are the three main clusters of personality disorders:

• Cluster A: In this type of personality disorder, an individual behaves in a way that is considered to be eccentric or unusual by others. Cluster A disorders are further classified into paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.

• Cluster B: An individual with this type of personality disorder finds it challenging to regulate their emotions and behavior. Others may regard this behavior to be emotional, erratic, or dramatic. It is further classified as antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders.

• Cluster C: Individuals with cluster C personality disorder behave in avoidant or anxious ways. It is further classified as dependent, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

What Are the Similarities Among the Various Cluster B Disorders?

The following are the similarities among the various cluster B disorders:

• Over-emotional, erratic, or dramatic behaviors.

• Self-destructive tendencies or impulsive behaviors.

• Possible co-existing mental health conditions.

• Difficulty maintaining stable, healthy relationships.

• Traits that can result in distress and impairment among the affected individuals.

• Difficulty searching for effective treatment options.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), personality disorders are not determined by race or sex.

What Are the Different Types of Cluster B Personality Disorders?

Different types of cluster B personality disorders are as follows:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder: One should not be misled by the term ‘antisocial’ as this personality disorder is not related to avoidance of talking with others. Instead, it means that these individuals act against societal norms (antisocial) by breaking social and legal rules to attain what they want. These individuals often overlook others’ feelings and authority. They are self-centered and do not care about anyone. They tend to be aggressive, impulsive, lie persistently, have poor remorse, encounter frequent issues with the law, possess consistent irresponsible behavior, and have no regard for safety.

• Borderline Personality Disorder: Individuals with borderline personality disorder have a weak sense of self-worth and often depend on others to enable them to feel stable. Their moods are inconsistent and jump from very positive to very negative moods without any reason. These individuals place their self-worth in their relationships. They have a set of ‘favorite people’ whom they idolize. If these ‘favorite people’ do anything wrong, the individual of the opinion reverses. Individuals with borderline personality disorder may have a deep fear of loneliness, may feel empty, be short-tempered, impulsive, possess black-and-white thinking, indulge in risk-seeking behavior like unsafe sex or gambling, and experience suicidal threats.

• Histrionic Personality Disorder: Individuals with histrionic personality disorder are attention-seeking and seek it out actively all the time. They are preoccupied with how they appear all the time. One with this type of personality disorder may overreact to small things. One might seem to be normal at one time but might burst into tears if they are asked not to do something. They may have dramatic behavior, strong opinions without actual knowledge, suggestibility, persistent need for attention, and emotions that tend to change quickly.

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder have the thought that they are better than others. They feel that they are more important than others and need to be treated specially. Many individuals with this disorder may respond badly to criticism or situations that they do not like. These individuals can overreact if they do not get the attention they feel they deserve. They may overreact to situations to keep others’ attention fixed on them. Narcissistic individuals may be arrogant, envious, expect favors, expect praise, fantasize about success and power, and do not acknowledge the successes of other people.

What Are the Causes of Cluster B Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders can manifest due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A correlation between borderline personality disorder and sexual trauma was found in a study. A recent review discovered the fact that there were similarities in the anatomic features of the brains of individuals with cluster B personality disorder. This indicates that brain development may contribute to the development of personality disorders. A link between family history and cluster B personality disorders has also been found.

How Can Unpredictable and Erratic Behavior Patterns (Cluster B Personality Disorder) Be Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of unpredictable and erratic behavior patterns (cluster B personality disorder) is made based on clinical history, emotions, experiences, and behaviors. A mental health professional will also communicate with the individual’s partner, family, or someone close to them. Information about the individual’s life experiences, emotions, moods, behaviors, and reactions in different situations, and the thoughts and thought patterns are enquired by the physician.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), one must possess the following characteristics to diagnose the condition as a personality disorder:

• The symptoms result in distress and affect the well-being of the individual.

• Should be consistent across places, times, and changes in situations.

• It should not be a consequence of a different disorder.

• The condition has followed a stable and long-standing pattern.

• It is not the result of an isolated stressful situation.

How Can Unpredictable and Erratic Behavior Patterns (Cluster B Personality Disorder) Be Managed?

Treatments focus on enabling the individual to cope with negative experiences like anger, depression, and anxiety. The aim is to minimize disruptive behaviors which will benefit the individual as well as those surrounding them. It is important to obtain the correct treatment plan from a certified mental health professional. The following are some of the treatment plans to manage unpredictable and erratic behavior patterns (cluster B personality disorder):

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy or talk therapy encourages an individual to express their feelings verbally to a therapist who patiently listens to them without any judgment and shares strategies to help the individual cope with their issue.

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Dialectical behavioral therapy focuses on teaching individuals new skills to bring about positive changes in their life.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: In cognitive behavioral therapy, an individual is encouraged to examine their thought patterns and behaviors and pull out practical ways to adjust them.

• Medication: There are no specific medications to treat personality disorders. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antianxiety medications may help improve certain symptoms and can help with co-existing issues including depression and anxiety.

• Self-Care Strategies: Self-care strategies like exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and practicing yoga, meditation, or mindfulness can enhance one’s mood, and reduce frustration.

Conclusion:

An individual’s emotions and behaviors are affected in cluster B personality disorder. These individuals tend to be dramatic, erratic, or over-emotional. The symptoms of certain personality disorders can reduce naturally with age. For example, the characteristics of antisocial personality disorder can attain a peak during early adulthood and can lose their power with time. Though there is no cure, certain treatments aim to manage one’s moods, treat co-existing problems like anxiety and depression, and change disruptive behaviors. By seeking appropriate support, individuals with unpredictable and erratic behavior patterns (cluster B personality disorder) can maintain happy and healthy relationships.