“Cluster B” behavioral disorders as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) include narcissistic, antisocial, borderline and antisocial personality disorders. Each of these are characterized primarily by overly dramatic, emotional, and often unpredictable behavior, and they can overlap, making for an especially dangerous combination. Let’s take a look at each of these.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissists have substantial issues with their own sense of self-worth often stemming from childhood trauma that they’ve not only suppressed but have overcompensated for by completely avoiding any feelings of shame or humility. As a result, they have a powerful sense of entitlement, believing they are inherently better than others. They project a strong sense of self-grandiosity and have a fundamental disregard for the worth of anyone else.
Narcissists are exceedingly egocentric and incapable of feeling empathy. They are typically engulfed in a fantastical world of unlimited power and success because this is where they’re most comfortable. Even the smallest slight will wield a narcissist into a fit of rage and induce a quest for revenge, often termed “narcissistic injury”.
Commonly, narcissists are far less attractive or accomplished than they present themselves as. They are “talkers” and bank on making others believe in their abilities rather than actually focusing on achieving goals. They can come across to others as conceded, overly self-assured and uncaring. Yet, covert narcissists are less likely to be immediately recognized. They are excellent actors and maintain power and control through underhanded, manipulative means and pathological lying. Both versions become overly devastated when they are made to feel their average human limitations.
Covert narcissists are viewed as more dangerous than their overt counterparts, because they are more likely to convince others that they are genuine and “normal”. It’s often not until these victims are completely trapped that they reveal their true colors. By that time, it’s too late to easily escape.
Contractual relationships mean nothing to narcissists, although they are a necessary part of the narcissist’s goal of trapping victims. Marital or business contracts are only superficial. Just because the narcissist has signed a document doesn’t mean the terms will be followed. Because they are unable to care about others, narcissists are usually unfaithful to spouses and routinely throw business agreements out the window. And, calling them out can be dangerous.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocials are extremely dangerous. They have a complete disregard for others that typically manifests in hostile or aggressive ways. They also enjoy placing themselves in risky situations and act on impulsive urges. These traits make these individuals susceptible to repeated job and relationship loss, accidents and incarceration.
Despite the negative consequences of their actions, however, antisocials are incapable of learning from their mistakes or feeling remorse – although, they can be great actors when it is in their best interest to fake an apology, such as in a legal situation. They feel no responsibly for their actions whatsoever, and, like the narcissist, will usually blame their victims for their maladaptive behavior.
If you become aware that you are in the presence of an antisocial, RUN!
Histrionic Personality Disorder
These individuals are excessively emotional and constantly seeking attention. They will create drama in even the most mundane situations, particularly if the attention of others has shifted away from them, even just for a moment. They are exceedingly uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention. For example, a histrionic mother who has recently become empty-nested will repeatedly insert herself into the lives of their adult children, creating a need for them to continually interact with her by initiating unneeded drama.
Histrionics are usually flirtatious or seductive – hair, makeup, and dress done up to the nines. They are especially exaggerated with their emotions, but at the same time very emotionally shallow. In other words, the reason for their excessive emotionality isn’t because they desire a positive solution, but rather, they thrive in emotional upheaval and revel in the chaos they create.
Loved ones and close friends are the most obvious targets of histrionics because they are the most emotionally available and are normally willing to listen and take to heart the disordered person’s paranoia or exaggerated thoughts and feelings. At the same time, loved ones are often embarrassed by the sentiments of the histrionic, because they tend to immediately attach themselves to newly introduced family members or friends of family and unload their drama on these individuals because they aren’t yet acquainted with their pattern of maladaptive behavior.
Histrionics are depressed when they are alone or they feel unneeded. They need connection and attention. They are also easily influenced by other people’s suggestions and opinions just as they want others to be influenced by theirs.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderlines tend to have intensely unstable emotions and mood swings. They have a hard time calming down once they become upset, and as a result, they frequently have outbursts of rage and engage in impulsive behaviors such as substance abuse, risky sexual relationships, and overspending or eating. They focus on behaviors able to soothe them in the short-term rather than benefit them in the long-term, and they are often made to “eat their words” after exploding in anger.
Borderlines possess only black-and-white thinking. They oversimplify everything in their environment as all or nothing. They quickly study and determine that others are either “all good” or “all bad” and they rarely waver in this assessment. This view is fundamentally incorrect. For example, say that someone who the borderline has labeled all good commits fraud. Now what? The borderline is forced to overlook this misbehavior to maintain their original opinion.
Because of this limited thinking, borderlines have a hard time maintaining the trust and respect of others who easily see their perception is flawed. They also have a hard time with consistency, and typically change major factors of their lives, such as careers, relationships or residences. While these significant changes usually require careful planning and preparation, borderlines tend to make these transitions very abruptly with very little forethinking. Making constant swift, unpredictable transitions gives them the same rush of adrenaline the other risky behaviors do.
As one can imagine, individuals with borderline personality disorder have difficulty maintaining friendships and intimate relationships, careers and general stability. They are often depressed, which aids in their desire to engage in dangerous self-soothing. And so the cycle repeats.