“people with personality disorders, no matter how severe, are not psychotic.”
Distinguishing between a personality disorder and mental illness is not always straightforward. Both can involve overlapping symptoms like disordered thinking, impaired functioning and problems with emotional regulation.
Some key challenges in distinguishing between the two include:
Overlapping symptoms: Many symptoms, such as mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, can occur in both personality disorders and mental illnesses.
Co-occurring conditions: It’s not uncommon for individuals to have both a personality disorder and a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. This complicates diagnosis and treatment.
Lack of self-awareness: People with personality disorders often lack insight into their condition, making it difficult for them to recognize the need for treatment.
Stigma: The stigma surrounding both personality disorders and mental illnesses can make individuals reluctant to seek help, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Yes, of course, differential diagnoses can be challenging. But I am talking about the classifications, not the patients (the classifications are fairly straightforward but the patients aren’t, in most cases!).