discussion 5

What is the difference between saying that a person has a "bad personality" and saying that the person has a personality disorder?

2. Respond to 2 students

Student 1

Bad personality can mean the person is a very mean or an angry person just because they are and that's how they function. Personality disorder means they cannot control how they act and if they act out or act unordinary, they cannot help it. I feel that that is the difference between a bad personality and personality disorder.

Student 2

A "bad personality" could be a reference to many things. It is a very subjective analysis of personality. Someone who oozes extroversion may look at an introvert and claim that the introvert has a bad personality because it does not match with theirs. In other words, saying someone has a "bad personality" is just an opinion based on an observation or interaction.

A person may have a "personality disorder" which is an objective measurement in most cases. You either have one, or you don't. It doesn't leave much to be determined. If I have a severe social anxiety, or "avoidant" disorder and constantly avoid social situations, the extrovert prior mentioned could conclude that I have a bad personality because I don't go and do the social activities they love. Would they be correct? No, because the behavior is not a controlled temperament or issue, its an actual disorder. There is a difference between personality traits and personality disorders. Most stem from biological backgrounds, but some can be inherited through trauma or environmental developments.