Repellent Personality Disorder / RPD
Repellent personality disorder is a cluster-b MUD characterized most notably by pathological attempts to push away the attention of others and chronic self-isolation. It presents a pervasive pattern of instability within interpersonal relationships and self-image, and a strong aversion to any form of positive attention, as well as a need for negative attention. These patterns begin in or by early adulthood.
In order to have RPD, you must fit the following diagnostic criteria.
Extreme distress or discomfort receiving positive attention.
Strong difficulty forming or maintaining friendships.
Often presents as a conscious aversion to others due to frustration or anger.
Shallow presented emotions, sometimes antithetical to oneβs true feelings.
Blunt or rude speech, often with little regard shown for the feelings of others in reference to their words or actions.
Sometimes presents as excessive swearing or an aggressive affect.
Sometimes presents as flat tone and expression.
Near-complete isolation from personal relationships, with very few exceptions.
Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.
Reckless disregard for personal safety and the safety of others.
Positive reactions to negative attention or a lack of attention, usually presented as vindication, excitement, or mirth.
Trouble regulating destructive emotions such as anger or frustration.
Sometimes presents as physical or verbal outbursts, such as arguments or fist-fights.
Sometimes presents as a strong disdain for the police, authority figures, family members, etc.
Characterized by highs and lows, known as repellent highs and repellent lockdowns.
A repellent high will present similarly to NPD, where one feels they are above others and will make efforts to appear as such. Frequent repellent highs will set one firmly within the RPD-A subtype.
A repellent lockdown, while not particularly presenting similarly to any one other personality disorder, is characterized by extreme self-isolation, suicidal thoughts and actions, and pervasive need to destroy any interpersonal relationships one may have. Frequent repellent lockdowns will set one firmly within the RPD-B subtype.
There are two recognized subtypes of RPD. Both subtypes feature a presence in RPD, but which subtype one may fall under depends entirely upon the frequency of the respective presentations of self.
Characterized by an aversion to others due to feelings of superiority.
Presents often in speech as condescension, as well as the conscious use of bigger or rarer words to appear more intelligent.Β
Commonly seen when RPD is comorbid with NPD or ASPD.
Characterized by an aversion to others due to feelings of inadequacy.
Presents often in speech as self-pitying language, self-degradation, and need for but rejection of comfort.
Commonly seen when RPD is comorbid with BPD or HPD.
Those with repellent personality disorder will often undermine themselves shortly before a goal is met or make things harder for themselves on purpose, such as dropping out of school a semester before graduation, breaking up with a romantic partner when it becomes clear that they are a good match, or getting into large arguments with family members a week before a reunion. Most individuals with repellent personality disorder have what is referred to as a false self. A false self is a purposely inflammatory, unintelligent, or otherwise unlikeable persona that one can put on to feed their requirement for negative attention. Many individuals with repellent personality disorder also have many social media accounts with the sole purpose of upsetting others. Individuals with this disorder may find comfort in transitional objects (such as a pet or inanimate possession) more than they do in interpersonal relationships. Individuals with repellent personality disorder also often have an anchor, a person who they allow to become close to them and do not attempt to push away with the same fervor as they do others.Β
Risk and Prognostic Factors
Environmental: Those who experience severe abuse in childhood, especially neglect, are more likely to develop this disorder. It also has high association with sexual abuse and sexual assault, and may on occasion form after a singular incident in childhood or young adulthood.
Genetic and Physiological: Repellent personality disorder is more prevalent in those who are first-degree biological relatives of someone with another cluster B personality disorder, especially antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. There is also a strong familial risk for substance abuse disorders, anxiety disorders, and histrionic personality disorder. Repellent personality disorder is more common among male-presenting individuals, but is not exclusive to male-presenting individuals.
Those with repellent personality disorder often also have another personality disorder, and especially often another cluster B personality disorder. It is also common for those with this disorder to have anxiety disorders, hoarding problems (particularly of comfort items), and are often on the psychotic spectrum with stress-induced psychosis.
