Personality Traits and Vulnerability to Specific Disorders
This article explores the relationship between the main personality traits (Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism) and vulnerability to developing mental disorders, based on neurotransmitters, hormones and brain regions involved. Dysfunctions in specific neurochemical systems, such as dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, combined with genetic and environmental factors, are highlighted as catalysts for personality, mood and anxiety disorders. Fictional examples illustrate how different combinations of personality traits and biological factors can lead to the development of clinical conditions such as schizotypal personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, histrionic personality disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
