How to Raise Awareness for Personality Disorders

According to the American Psychiatric Association, as many as one in 20 people suffer from a personality disorder. These disorders fall into one of 10 different disorder types, including paranoid, dependent, schizotypal, schizoid, narcissistic, histrionic, avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, antisocial and borderline disorders. Read on to learn how raising public awareness for personality disorders can help more people recognize these behaviors in their friends, loved ones and even themselves.

Things You'll Need

• Pins, bracelets and ribbons
• DSM-IV diagnostic manual

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Instructions

• 1

  Obtain a copy of the DSM-IV, the diagnostic manual used by the American Psychiatric Association to define mental illnesses, disorders and conditions. By learning more about the various types of personality disorders recognized by the DSM-IV, you will be able to come up with the right strategy to raise awareness for personality disorders.

• 2

  Attend local support groups in your community that are designed for people with personality disorders. If a there are no support groups for a particular personality disorder, determine if there is a need for such a group in your area by contacting local mental health organizations.

• 3

  Volunteer to help organize a charity event in your community to help raise awareness for personality disorders. Hospitals and other mental health facilities are excellent resources to use for establishing contacts and reaching out to charity organizations.

• 4

  Use online resources, such as the website for the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), to find out about charity events designed to raise awareness about personality disorders. See the Resources section below for a link. On the NAMI website, you can subscribe to free newsletters, donate money and even volunteer at one of 1100 regional locations where mental health concerns are addressed.

• 5

  Start your own online blog documenting your struggles and successes with a personality disorder. By discussing your symptoms, your treatment and how you overcame your disorder, you will inspire others to seek professional help with their personality disorders.