Organic Personality Disorder

In general; Organic personality disorder centers around short or long-term personality disturbances that are cause by a physical malfunction of the brain.

While most people who suffer from the symptoms of organic personality disorder are able to function in society productively, some do have problems when they are not under constant supervision. [3]

In detail; The organic personality disorder is characterised by a significant alteration of the premorbid personality caused by an underlying organic cause without major disturbance of consciousness, orientation, either memory or perception.

The personality change may be characterised by poor impulse control, emotional lability, apathy, accentuation of earlier personality either traits, or hostility.

Lastly; According to ICD-10 (F07.0), the following features are required for diagnosis of organic personality disorder, in addition to the general guidelines. [1]

In addition to an established history or other evidence of brain disease, damage, or dysfunction, a definitive diagnosis requires the presence of two or more of six features described.

These include i.e.:

• Consistently reduced ability to persevere with goal-directed activities
• Basically; Altered emotional behaviour (e.g. emotional lability, euphoria, inappropriate jocularity, irritability or short-lived anger outbursts)
• Expression of needs and impulses without consideration of the consequences
• Cognitive disturbances (e.g. suspiciousness, overly suspicious ideation, and/or excessive preoccupation with a single theme)
• Marked alteration of language production (e.g. circumstantiality, over-inclusiveness, viscosity, also hypergraphia)
• Altered sexual behaviour [2]
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Inappropriate social behavior
• Sexual indiscretions
• Emotional instability
• Bad social judgement
• Belligerence also an overactive temper. [3]

Causes of Personality Disorder

1. Temporal lobe epilepsy (i.e. complex partial seizures) which can be associated with temporal lobe (personality) syndrome.
2. Concussion (i.e. post concussion syndrome).
3. Encephalitis (i.e. postencephalitic syndrome).
4. Multiple sclerosis (early).
5. Cerebral neoplasms, especially in frontal lobe ( i.e. frontal lobe syndromes) and parietal lobe.
6. Cerebrovascular disease.
7. Psychoactive drugs (rarely). [1]
8. besides this; Extreme trauma to the head is another possible cause for the sudden appearance of a personality disorder.
9. In rare cases, thyroid disease or other problems with the brain may cause personality disorder.
Whatever the root cause, it is important to seek out someone who knows what how to help a person deal with all of the symptoms also side effects that come with organic personality disorder. [3]

Some syndromes are described below:

1. Frontal lobe syndrome i.e.:

     a. Orbitofrontal syndrome (Pseudo-psychopathic): for example; Disinhibition, jocularity, impulsivity, impaired insight and judgement.
     b. Frontal convexity type (Pseudo-depressive): for example; Apathy, lack of initiative, retardation, perseveration.
     c. Medial frontal syndrome (Akinetic): for instance; Akinesis, incontinence, poor verbal output.

2. Temporal lobe syndrome i.e.:

Egocentricity, explosive affect, perseveration, excessive religiosity, obsessional traits.

3. Bilateral temporal lobe or limbic system lesions i.e.:

Emotional placidity, hyperorality, altered sexual behaviour ,  excessive exploration of environment (hyper-metamorphosis). [1]

Treatment of Personality Disorder

1. Treatment of the underlying cause, if treatable.
2. Symptomatic treatment, with lithium or carbamazepine for aggressive behaviour and impulse dyscontrol, and/or antipsychotics (occasionally) for violent behaviour may be needed. [1]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Organic Personality Disorder?

Organic Personality Disorder is characterized by a significant alteration of the habitual patterns of behaviour displayed by the subject premorbidly, involving the expression of emotions, needs also impulses.

What are the 9 causes of Organic Personality Disorder?

• Temporal lobe epilepsy
• Concussion
• Encephalitis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cerebral neoplasms
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Psychoactive drugs
• Extreme trauma to the head
• Thyroid disease

What are the symptoms of Organic Personality Disorder?

• Consistently reduced ability to persevere with goal-directed activities
• Altered emotional behaviour
• Expression of needs and impulses without consideration of the consequences
• Cognitive disturbances
• Marked alteration of language production
• Altered sexual behavior
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Inappropriate social behavior
• Sexual indiscretions
• Emotional instability
• Bad social judgement