A member asked:

Does everyone who experience abuse have a personality disorder?

7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Varies tremendously: Abuse and the circumstances surrounding it can lead people into behaviors, beliefs, memory patterns and attitudes that serve them poorly in dealing with others. Different people are affected differently, just as no two life histories are the same. It's human nature to resist change, especially things learned in the home or early life. A challenge for both patient and therapist.

Answered 8/8/2015

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Dr. Pamela Pappas answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

NO -- absolutely not: People who have been abused may have all kinds of symptoms, including personality disorders -- but this is not an automatic outcome. Many such people do develop self-defeating behaviors, even if not a full "personality disorder" syndrome. Other results can include post-traumatic stress d/o, with hypervigilance, flashbacks, avoidance, irritability, dissociation, etc. There's help and hope, though!

Answered 5/29/2016

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