What type of disorders often involves patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships?

Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of thought, behavior, and functioning that deviate from cultural expectations and cause significant distress or impairment. One key feature of several personality disorders, especially Borderline Personality Disorder, is instability in interpersonal relationships. Individuals with these disorders may experience intense and unstable relationships, swinging between extremes of idealization and devaluation of others.

This instability can lead to a turbulent emotional landscape, as their self-image and identity can be heavily influenced by their relationships. Other personality disorders such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder may also present difficulties in relationships, often due to factors like a lack of empathy or manipulation. These patterns are distinct from the features seen in anxiety disorders, eating disorders, or psychosomatic disorders, which have different core characteristics and symptoms. Hence, recognizing that personality disorders specifically include patterns of instability in interpersonal dynamics is crucial in understanding their impact on individuals' lives.