Schizoid personality disorder is also rare – it occurs in 1% of the general population. People who suffer from it seem aloof, indifferent, emotionless, or disinterested. They keep their counterpart at a distance – often especially non-verbally. Basically, they would like to have relationships, but tend to consider them dangerous and find them exhausting. They live a secluded life and have few contacts with other people.

Histrionic personality disorder occurs with a frequency of about 2% in the general population. The central motive here is perceived importance. Affected individuals rely heavily on external attention and affection and constantly seek approval from others. They are often extroverted, have performing skills, are fun-loving, and can carry others away. Although these people often have a large circle of friends and a lot going on in their lives, they know periods of loneliness, dissatisfaction, and inner emptiness with nagging self-doubt that then brings them into treatment.

Narcissistic personalities often come across as demanding, arrogant or overbearing. Outwardly they appear self-confident, but at the same time they are very sensitive, vulnerable and have difficulty dealing with criticism. Underlying this is a rather weak and, above all, fragile self-esteem, which is to be hidden by the staging of a “great facade”. Ultimately, it is a sewing disorder whose central motive is recognition.

Initial problems often occur at a young age in the work environment, as narcissistic people do not live up to their standards and are plagued by fears of failure, for example before exams. Later in life, they often become conspicuous due to work disorders and fall short of their own standards and abilities.

While obsessive thoughts are experienced as threatening, morally reprehensible or burdensome, compulsive actions are behaviors that must be performed again and again in ritualized form, often to prevent a perceived danger. The triggered feeling is fear, which can be accompanied by strong tension. In order to neutralize the unpleasant feelings or to avert the supposed danger (e.g., becoming infected with germs or starting a house fire), certain rituals must be performed in thought or via concrete actions.

Important criterion of a generalized anxiety disorder are excessive worries and fears about everyday matters (health, financial burdens, well-being of family members, etc.). The worries concern several areas, occur in different situations and lead to constant tension in the affected person. The reason for this is an overexcitation of the nervous system. Sleep disturbances, muscle tension, restlessness or feelings of anxiety can be the result. Those affected quickly fall into a cycle of worrying and imagining catastrophic scenarios.
Frequently, reassurances, such as calls to partners, whether everything is all right, are used to avoid the worries.

An important criterion of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive worry and apprehension about everyday matters (health, financial burdens, well-being of family members, etc.). The worries concern several areas, occur in different situations and lead to constant tension in affected persons. The reason for this is an overexcitation of the nervous system. Sleep disturbances, muscle tension, restlessness or feelings of anxiety can be the result. Those affected quickly fall into a cycle of worrying and imagining catastrophic scenarios.

Frequent reassurances, such as calls to partners to see if everything is all right, are used to avoid the worries.

Self-Insecure Personality Disorder is relatively common in the general population, with an incidence of 3-5%. Affected individuals are shy, feel inhibited and insecure in many interpersonal situations, and isolate themselves for fear of negative evaluation, criticism, or rejection. They desire close relationships but do not dare to take the initiative.

Anxious-avoidant personalities are prone to developing other mental illnesses (especially anxiety disorders (social phobia), obsessive-compulsive disorders, and depression).

People with dependent or dependency personality disorder feel they cannot lead their lives independently. They seek closeness and contact in an extreme form and always need a person to support them and make important decisions for them. Out of fear of losing this caregiver, they subordinate themselves to the partner and do not express their own feelings or needs. However, this “clinging behavior” is often the trigger for relationship problems. The central motive here is reliability.

People with dependent personality disorder are affectionate, reliable, helpful and faithful and are therefore valued as good and reliable friends. In a stable environment, affected people often manage without problems for a long time; however, a change in the life situation, e.g., due to moving, separation, death of the partner or other circumstances can lead to a psychological crisis.

Obsessive-compulsive personalities often appear neat and correct to the outside world and are described as conscientious. They are anxious not to make mistakes. Their accuracy and reliability are highly valued (especially at work), but at the same time they place their own high expectations on others, which often leads to conflict. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder have often learned that recognition and importance can only be achieved by adhering very strictly to predetermined rules and norms.