Personality Disorders: Are They Really Mental Disorders?

Personality Disorders: Are They Really Mental Disorders? Link to heading

I once had someone tell me that we are all born narcissists. What made a difference between what we see in narcissists today and others, were parents. The people who grew up to become decent, hard-working people with no signs of narcissism generally grew up in homes with parents who cared about making sure their children were taught right from wrong. The children who grew up to be labeled as narcissists had parents that were either narcissists themselves or just did not care about their children’s learning how to go forward in life. I believe he had a very good point.

When we look at the behavior of a narcissist, we see someone who is just selfish. They only seem to care about things when it benefits them. They will manipulate people in order to fulfill their own needs, without caring at all about the damage they cause their “target.” When they’re placed in a position where they’ve been caught red-handed doing something that they shouldn’t be doing, they immediately blame someone else for it. They’ve always got an excuse ready to go for just about any situation. If you happen to go somewhere with them shopping, and they see something that they want, they insist that they get it. If the situation is that they do not have the funds for the item, and they ask you for it, and you say no, they will then throw a “temper tantrum.” All these types of behaviors sound like things a child would do, right?

Lack of Guidance and Its Consequences Link to heading

When children are not taught the difference between right and wrong, or how to respect others, they bring that forward with them in life. Not having guidance from loving parents can cause a world of problems later down the road, not only for the now-adult child, but also for the people that person will encounter throughout their life. When these children are not taught to be respectful, learn what the word “NO” means, or are taught what is right and wrong, they develop the idea that what they’re doing is acceptable. Since they were never punished for what they did as children, they “learned” that when they did something we would consider wrong, it was acceptable.

This is where they get the idea that they can do no wrong. They have no moral compass to compare their actions to. They have no respect for others, so convincing them that what they’re doing is wrong is futile. They’ve been trained to believe they can do whatever they want, and it’s okay. This is why many criminals could be classified as narcissists—they always have an excuse for everything they’ve done. They feel they’ve been wrongfully punished because “someone caused them to do what they did.” It’s never their fault, and in their minds, they should never face consequences.

Are Personality Disorders Really Mental Disorders? Link to heading

Which brings us to the topic: Are personality disorders really mental disorders, or even mental health issues? I do not believe they are. I believe they are behavioral issues that have been ingrained in individuals from childhood, which is why it’s nearly impossible to get them to realize that what they’re doing is unacceptable and hurtful to others.

When faced with the option of hiding their true nature, they can turn it off in the blink of an eye. When they need to be respectful, presentable, and tolerant, they can instantly transform into a completely different person. How many people with schizophrenia, for example, can “shut it off” because someone is around that they want to impress? While people with NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) or Cluster B BPD (borderline personality disorder) can do this, it shows awareness of their actions. Awareness is the first step toward change, but these individuals choose not to change.

The Role of Accountability Link to heading

If we want to reduce disorders like NPD and BPD, we need to focus on preventing these issues rather than cleaning up the mess afterward. Parents must become more aware of the damage they cause by failing to teach their children right from wrong.

Additionally, law enforcement and social workers must be trained to recognize the behaviors of these individuals. By holding them accountable for their actions, we can encourage them to face the reality of their wrongdoing. Accountability is what they lacked as children, and it’s one of the only things that may force them to recognize and address their behavior.

A Case Study: Amber Heard and Johnny Depp Link to heading

A well-known example of the damage caused by someone with Cluster B BPD is the case of Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. Heard accused Depp of abuse, aligning her claims with the #MeToo movement. However, police videos and witness testimonies have discredited many of Heard’s allegations. Reports have also revealed that Heard has borderline personality disorder.

This situation illustrates how people with these disorders manipulate others and deflect accountability. Unfortunately, the damage to Depp’s life and career has already been done. If he had known how to identify and handle someone with BPD, perhaps some of the damage could have been avoided.

Final Thoughts Link to heading

In conclusion, disorders like NPD and BPD are not truly mental disorders but rather ingrained behavioral issues. These individuals are aware of their actions and capable of change, but they choose not to. Combating these disorders requires raising awareness and educating people about how to identify and avoid toxic behaviors.

Opinion Disclaimer Link to heading

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any entity. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or entity. All rights reserved by the author. Permission is required for distribution.