Depressingly Normal Personality Disorder

Depressingly Normal Personality Disorder


Onset usually seen in adolescence , although in some instances it may be observed in middle childhood. Onset is rare before age 10.
Diagnosed by:
At least 11 of the following, including at least 2 from A, at least 4 from B, at least 2 from C and at least 3 from D.

A: A qualitative impairment in individuality, as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. A need to be exactly the same as one's peers in terms of dress, appearance, speech etc.
2. A tendency to imitate the dress and behaviour of those perceived as social superiors.
3. A fixation with celebrities, and an overwhelming need to dress and behave as they do.
4. A seeming lack of one's own tastes in anything.

B: Deficits in thought, as manifested by at least four of the following:
1. Inability to form own opinions: tendency to give in to the "group mentality."
2. Gross impairment in logical thinking.
3. Motivated to an excessive degree by fleeting, shallow emotions rather than by considered thought or more deeply felt emotions.
4. Influenced to an excessive degree by extrinsic rather than intrinsic motivators.
5. Difficulty with linguistic and numerical concepts.
6. Shallow concept of personal relationships: e.g., being rejected by a potential partner and seeking a relationship with another individual the next day.
7. Inability to think deeply.
8. No appreciation of true wit: for example, will find someone pulling a face more humorous than verbal humour.


C: Lack of tolerance for anyone without Depressingly Normal Personality Disorder, as manifested by at least 2 of the following:
1. Dislike, bordering on phobia, of those whose behaviour does not conform to the social norms.
2. Superstitious fear of any display of intelligence.
3. A tendency to bully and exclude those who are perceived as being different.

D: A qualitative impairment in personal and social relationships, as manifested by at least three of the following.
1. Preference for shallow, ritualistic small talk rather than true conversation which shares thoughts, feelings and knowledge.
2. An obsession with others' personal details, but with little understanding of the thoughts, feelings and circumstances which influence these details.
3. A need to share even the most trivial information with one's peer group.
4. Lack of respect for the privacy of others: e.g.- disseminating information given in confidence.
5. No apparent concept of private thought, e.g.: discussing intimate physical relationships in a classroom setting; arguing heatedly on a mobile phone on a peak-hour train.