Negativistic Personality Disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Personality Disorders (DSM – IV), American Psychiatric Association, 1994, a negativistic or passive aggressive personality disorder is a chronic condition in which a person actively agrees to abide by the desires and needs of others, while passively resisting them with growing feelings of anger, often, becoming hostile towards others. Though often referred to as a personality disorder, it is no longer considered one, but belongs to the class of personality traits and behavior, or way of dealing or relating with others. Dealing with passive-aggressive personalities can be quite difficult, as they tend to disregard any idea or help offered by others, with obstinacy, arguing frequently, and even by engendering feelings of insecurity in others. These personality types are likely to have some major problems at relationships and work. So before you move on to dealing with one, you may want to dive a little deep into the topic and know about the causes and symptoms of a negativistic personality disorder.

Causes Of Negativistic Personality Disorder

Although not defined in proper terms, the cause of a negativistic personality disorder is believed to stem right from the genetics and the environment the person grew up in. A negative environment (being abused/fighting parents/alcohol & drug addiction in parents) of having to suppress the emotions, while growing up, is known to be the primary cause for this behavior. Not having an outlet to openly express oneself can cause one to tame all kind of negative energy that will prove to be destructive in the long run, not only to the person but to those who are attached to or are in the vicinity of the person.

Symptoms Of Negativistic Personality Disorder

Putting off, delaying or deferring an action to a later time
Deliberate interference or obstructing the course of others
Stubbornness
Pretending to forget what others may have asked
Showcasing oneself as being victimized
Ambiguous communication
Fears of intimacy, competition, and dependency
Frequent complaining about how things or people are or should be
May argue frequently
Disregard opinions, ideas, or help from others
Feelings of being unappreciated
Consistent disliking towards people with authority

It is quite a trick to deal with such personality types, especially if you can’t withdraw yourself out of their presence, because you’re either related to the person by blood or by emotions, or you simply can’t fire that person or leave the job yourself. What can be done then? Read about ways of dealing with passive aggressive personality types:

Treatment Of Negativistic Personality Disorder

First and foremost, don’t treat it as a personality disorder, but a behavioral trait. And in no way try to communicate, directly or indirectly, to the person that he/she is suffering from a personality disorder, as doing so will offend him/her even more.
If that person is a co-worker of yours, try to take him/her to a counselor without making it look like that it’s some kind of a treatment, but a way to let out emotions so as to make that person identify and accept the change as a personal choice, without taking offence. Join in the counseling session for that person’s sake.
Group therapy with similar personality types can also help. Seeing himself/herself in others and bringing the unknown out in the open would help a person recognize where he/she is and where is he/she heading to.
Medications can help, but only a little. Antidepressants will only help to reduce the irritability. However, this can only be possible when the pills are not forced down the throat. There’re no such medications available to treat a negativistic personality disorder that will turn them into a go getter overnight.

Negativistic personality disorder is hard to treat, but nevertheless, don’t lose hope for you never know what action of yours can help the person realize his/her condition and make him/her aim for a better life.

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