Change in Personality

About the Symptom

Anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, other psychiatric and neurological conditions  can alter one's personality.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Personality change

Possible Causes

Generally, Change in personality can be related to:

• Dissociative Disorder

  Dissociative disorder is a mental disorder that involves experiencing a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity. People with dissociative disorder escape reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy, causing problems with functioning in everyday life.

• Schizophrenia

  A psychotic disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking (cognition), emotional responsiveness, and behavior, with an age of onset typically between the late teens and mid-30s. Hearing voices and/or believing things that aren't consistent with reality are common symptoms. The exact cause is unknown, but a mix of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors are likely responsible.

• Frontotemporal Dementia

  A group of disorders involving the progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain (behind your forehead and ears). The brain shrinks and loses function in the affected areas. It can be caused by several conditions that are not fully understood. A family history of dementia increases the risk.

• Adjustment Disorder
• Progressive Subcortical Vascular Encephalopathy
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (AIDS-Related PML)

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Change in personality may be related to these serious diseases:

• Encephalitis / Encephalopathy

  Encephalitis and encephalopathy are brain conditions that can result in permanent damage. Encephalitis refers to brain inflammation, while encephalopathy is a broad term for any brain disease or disorder. Several causes can lead to these conditions, including infections, trauma, metabolic problems, drugs, and lack of oxygen to the brain.

• Epilepsy
• Hepatic Encephalopathy

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Do you feel your personality has changed?
• How has the change in personality affected your daily life?
• Do you become aggressive for no particular reason?
• Is there a sudden change in personality?

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