Personality versus Behavioral Disorders.

Hi all, have just been a bit busy flitting around the world (in my mind) in my mad quest for answers. Have visited ADD land while flying past the Milky Way (think Train, Drops of Jupiter) and want to share what I have found.

Disclaimer
Not all of this is based on scientific fact or theory, much of it is the rambling of an overactive mind, but I think some of it bears relevance to our situations.

If we think about the wide range of personality types/disorders and also add in behavioural disorders that exist, it begins to paint a rather interesting picture. For example, people with cluster B personality disorders number somewhere between 10 and 15% of the population going by current estimations. Coming from the perspective of nature as a cause rather than nurture: If nature was to throw up such a destructive, damaging variation of human personality, does it not stand to reason that nature would also throw up something to compensate in the other direction? Apparently ADD represents about 10% of the population, so we have accounted for around 25% already. I see how other behavioural disorders or variation of them would increase these numbers.

If we put Personality disorders at one end of the spectrum, and Behavioral disorders at the other, then normal people would fill the shades of grey between the two. I guess those that fit the shades of grey of normal between these two variations may actually be less of the population than we think. One of the things I notice about Personality vs Behavioral, is that Behavioral can actually present like a personality disorder, yet the reason for the behaviour are often polar opposites. A perfect example of this is Bi-Polar, which can often be misdiagnosed as Narcissism, but it is more often the case that Narcissism can be misdiagnosed as Bi-polar.

Here are some opposites in behavior and reasoning that I have found between Narcissism and ADD, and I think the same may be said for other behavioral disorders.

Attention Deficit Disorder
1. Thinks What is this all about? Why Why Why?

2. Thinks Holistically _ Tries to understand how everything fits together. What is the relationship of one thing to another? What are the secrets to the Universe? (as an eg)

3. Is very empathetic and caring. Can be over gushing in their compliments and though they are meant genuinely, can often come across as over the top.

4. Can blurt out what is on their mind, often talk to themselves.

5. Do not usually like too much attention as it may reveal their quirky nature.

6. Can have a very poor memory for mundane details.

7. Is often hypersensitive, but are likely to hide this in order to not hurt the feeling of others. Is likely to suffer from anxiety due to hypersensitivity.

8. Internalizes everything

9. Mostly learn through the need to fully understand a concept. Other details can often only be remembered through repetition.

10. Has poor concentration, except when interested, and can then hyper focus while the interests hold.

11. Has trouble turning off the mind in order to sleep.

12. Gives gives gives

13. Thrill seeks (some variations) in order to gain focus.

14. Can lack motivation and fall into procrastination if not managed

15. Often consumed with self doubt, because of their quirks, no matter how successful they can be.

16. Often needs help or support to manage their mundane things, but will rarely ask for help

17. Tries to understand where they fit into the grand scheme of things.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder
1. Thinks...What is in it for ME

2. I am the universe

3. Are exacting in their compliments, can have them very fine tuned, even if they are thinly veiled insults. Thinks about how they will be perceived publicly, and everything is done for some form of personal gain.

4. Everything is premeditated. Talks about themselves.

5. Wants all attention at any cost.

6. Usually has an exceptional memory, especially about mundane details, but are very selective in what they admit to remembering.

7. Is very hypersensitive and will punish anyone that they perceive that may have hurt them. Is likely to rage due to hypersensitivity.

8. Externalizes everything.

9. Learns only through committing to memory

10. All concentration is present if the outer world is focused on them, or if they are in the pursuit of attention. Otherwise I am pretty sure their minds are blank.

11. Sleep? Did someone say...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

12. Takes takes takes

13. Thrill seeks in order to gain attention or prove how clever they are.

14. Is full of motivation if in the pursuit of supply. Will often tell you how passionate they are. FIG JAM at it’s best.

15. Doubt??? MEE?? What is that??

16. Demands full attention and support from nearest and dearest.

17. IS the grand scheme of things.

I could keep going, but I think you will get the general gist. I am also thinking that under intense, sustained abuse, a normal brain’s chemistry will change enough to start exhibiting a lot of the characteristics of ADD. The same can probably be said for OCD from my understating of what Lisa has said. I suppose it depends on what we are more partial to in our reactions, and where in the spectrum of personalities that we fall into. Truth be told, I could do with a dose of OCD from time to time.

Anyway, just some thoughts on it all. That is all I can manage for now, the mind is galloping off somewhere else...lol

"When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear & life stands explained.
-Mark Twain"

Footnote...I just saw Klarity Belles post as i went to post this, I think we are on to something. Also comparisons read much better side by side, I am not up to speed on the formatting here.