Personality change

Personality change: Introduction

Further information about Personality change is below, or review more specific information about these types of Personality change: Psychotic Behaviour or other types.

Personality change: Change in a person's behavior and personality. See free access online books about Personality change below. See detailed information below for a list of 211 causes of Personality change, including diseases and drug side effect causes.

» Review Causes of Personality change: full list

Causes of Personality change:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Personality change. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Mood disorders
  • Stress
  • Anxiety (type of Neurosis)
  • Depression
  • Depressive disorders
  • Premenstrual syndrome
• Brain disorders
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Head injury
  • Stroke
  • Brain tumor
  • Dementia - see also causes of dementia
  • Delirium - see also causes of delirium
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
• Toxins affecting the brain:
  • Drug abuse
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning (type of Poisoning) - usually in the form of chronic CO poisoning
  • Lead poisoning
• Infections affecting the brain:
  • Meningitis
  • Encephalitis
• Systemic medical disorders
  • Lupus
  • Pernicious anemia
• Tumor of frontal lobe of brain
• Cancer of frontal lobe of brain
• Abscess of frontal lobe of brain (see Abscess)
• Bleeding into frontal lobe of brain
• more causes...»

See full list of 211 causes of Personality change

» Review Causes of Personality change: full list

Causes of Types of Personality change:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Personality change:

• Psychotic Behaviour (78 causes)
• more types...»

See full list of 6 types for Personality change

Personality change: Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Personality change, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Symptom Checker

• Personality change: Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

• Personality change and Behavioral symptoms (179 causes)
• Personality change and Personality symptoms (179 causes)
• Personality change and Mental problems (150 causes)
• Personality change and Head symptoms (129 causes)
• Personality change and Society problems (122 causes)
• Personality change and Muscle symptoms (119 causes)
• Personality change and Movement symptoms (114 causes)
• Personality change and Emotional symptoms (111 causes)
• Personality change and Nerve symptoms (105 causes)
• Personality change and Pain (100 causes)
• Personality change and Sensations (100 causes)
• Personality change and Forgetfulness (98 causes)
• Personality change and Seizures (98 causes)
• Personality change and Depressive symptoms (97 causes)
• Personality change and Digestive symptoms (94 causes)
• Personality change and Memory symptoms (93 causes)
• Personality change and Confusion (93 causes)
• Personality change and Cognitive impairment (92 causes)
• more...»

See full list of 2821 Symptom Checker combinations related to Personality change

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Personality symptoms (3457 causes)
• Behavioral symptoms (3944 causes)
• more symptoms...»

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Personality change

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Personality change:

• Depression (517 causes)
• Anxiety (804 causes)
• Personality symptoms (3457 causes)
• Moodiness (116 causes)
• Aggression (138 causes)
• Irritability (651 causes)
• Emotional (1243 causes)
• Dramatic
• Aggressive (138 causes)
• Lack of remorse
• Repeated lying
• Impulsive (29 causes)
• Paranoia (81 causes)
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Instability
• more symptoms...»

Diagnostic Guides for Personality change

Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Personality change from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Personality change. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Personality change

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Personality change: Self Assessment Tools

• Stress -- Self Assessment Tools
• Depression -- Self Assessment Tools
• Weight Management -- Self Assessment Tools
• Mental Health -- Self Assessment Tools
• more tools...»

Personality change: Medical Mistakes

• Concentration -- Health Mistakes
• ADHD -- Health Mistakes
• ADHD (Adults) -- Health Mistakes
• Depression -- Health Mistakes
• Bipolar -- Health Mistakes
• Sleep Disorders -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Personality change: Undiagnosed Conditions

Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:

• Brain & Neurological Disorders: Undiagnosed:
  • Adult ADHD -- Undiagnosed - Often remains undiagnosed through to adulthood.
  • ADHD -- Undiagnosed
  • Alzheimer Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Migraine -- Undiagnosed
  • Concentration Disorders -- Undiagnosed
  • Stroke -- Undiagnosed
  • Bipolar Disorder -- Undiagnosed
  • Schizophrenia -- Undiagnosed
  • Epilepsy -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Hospitals & Clinics: Personality change

Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Personality change:

• Mental Health -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more quality ratings...»

Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »

Personality change: Research Related Doctors & Specialists

• Mental Health Specialists:
  • Psychiatry (Mental Health)
  • Addiction Psychiatry
  • Geriatric Psychiatry (Seniors Mental Health)
  • Pediatric / Adolescent Psychiatry (Child/Teen Mental Health)
  • Pediatric Developmental Behavioral Health (Child Behavior Specialist)
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Forensic Psychiatry
• more specialists...»

Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:

• Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
• Research Your Doctor
• View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
• Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Misdiagnosis and Personality change

Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness because he suffered from sudden inability to speak. This was initially misdiagnosed as a "nervous breakdown" and...read more »

Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for a patient to show mental decline to dementia. Whereas this can, of course, occur...read more »

ADHD under-diagnosed in adults: Although the over-diagnoses of ADHD in children is a well-known controversy, the reverse side related to adults. Some adults can remain undiagnosed, and indeed the condition has usually been overlooked...read more »

Bipolar disorder misdiagosed as various conditions by primary physicians: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) often fails to be...read more »

Eating disorders under-diagnosed in men: The typical patient with an eating disorder is female. The result is that men with eating disorders often fail to be diagnosed or have a delayed diagnosis. See ...read more »

Depression undiagnosed in teenagers: Serious bouts of depression can be undiagnosed in teenagers. The "normal" moodiness of teenagers can cause severe medical depression to be overlooked. See ...read more »

Undiagnosed anxiety disorders related to depression: Patients with depression (see symptoms of depression) may also have undiagnosed anxiety disorders (see symptoms of anxiety disorders). Failure to diagnose these anxiety disorders may worsen the depression. See...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Personality change

Personality change: Related Rare Diseases

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Brain & Neurological Disorders: Rare Types:
  • Adult ADHD -- Rare Types
  • ADHD -- Rare Types
  • Alzheimer Disease -- Rare Types
  • Migraine -- Rare Types
  • Concentration Disorders -- Rare Types
  • Stroke -- Rare Types
  • Bipolar Disorder -- Rare Types
  • Schizophrenia -- Rare Types
  • Epilepsy -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Diagnostic tests for Personality change:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Personality change. Some of these are listed below :

• Mental state examination - including appearance, behavior, rate and continuity of speech, mood, affect, thought content, evidence of any hallucinations or abnormal beliefs, orientation to time, place and person, attention and concentration, short-term memory, insight and judgement - Can help diagnose depression, anxiety and psychosis.
• Mini-mental state examination - if dementia is suspected test memory and cognitive function.
• Physical examination
  • Signs of delirium? - examine for signs that personality change may be due to delirium rather than mental illness or dementia ( e.g. temperature, neck stiffness may suggest meningitis, encephalitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage; neurological examination to look for focal neurological signs and papilledema may suggest stroke, brain cancer or traumatic brain injury).
• more tests...»

See full list of 26 diagnostic tests for Personality change

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Personality change. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long has there been a personality change? - to determine if acute or chronic. If onset is rapid and symptoms have been present for hours to weeks must consider delirium as possible cause of personality change. Delirium is an acute confusional state due to many causes e.g. infection, drug intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, liver failure, kidney failure, hypoxia, low blood sugar, stroke, heart attack or head injury. If the onset is slow and insidious and symptoms have been present for months to years a diagnosis of dementia, psychiatric illness or intellectual disability may be more likely.
• What are the features of the personality change? - e.g. impulsivity, hyperactivity, aggression, paranoia, negativity, moody, irritability.
• Do you feel that you are coping well?
• Has anything changed in your life?
• What are your stressors at the moment? - Questions specifically about relationship, family, children, social support, occupation, general physical health and financial stresses. Significant stressors may cause personality change or moodiness or may increase the risk of depression and insomnia.
• more questions...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Personality change (40 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Personality change) may include:

• Fever? - may suggest any infection that may cause delirium e.g. urinary tract infection, viral gastroenteritis, viral upper respiratory tract infection, ear infection, meningitis, encephalitis.
• Memory impairment? - Dementia causes impaired memory, impaired judgement and thinking, impaired verbal fluency and impaired ability to perform complex tasks. Personality may change, impulse control may be lost and personal care deteriorates. People with dementia may also have psychiatric symptoms such as delusions, paranoid ideas, hallucinations, mood disturbance and behavioral disturbance.
• Headache? - may suggest brain cancer, acute stroke, meningitis or encephalitis. Headache may also occur among the range of physical symptoms experienced with depression and tend to mask the diagnosis of depression.
• Symptoms of depression? - e.g. depressed mood, crying spells, irritability, anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), increase or decrease in appetite (usually decreased), weight loss or gain, insomnia or increased sleeping (usually early morning waking), fatigue, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of excessive guilt, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions, low libido, thoughts of death or suicide attempt.
• Symptoms of Manic-depression? - e.g. episodes of depression (often psychotic in intensity) and at other times episodes of psychotic excitement (mania or hypomania). Symptoms of psychotic excitement may include elevation of mood, increased activity, grandiose ideas, irritability, disinhibition (which affects social, sexual and financial behavior), rapid speech and racing thought, delusions (persecutory or grandiose) and sometimes hallucinations.
• more symptoms...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Personality change (40 listings)

Home Diagnostic Testing and Personality change

Home medical tests possibly related to Personality change:

• Child Behavior: Home Testing
  • ADHD -- Home Test Kits
  • Concentration -- Home Testing
• Mental Health (Adults): Home Testing
  • Adult ADHD -- Home Testing
  • Concentration -- Home Tests
• Mental Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Emotional Stress Tests
  • ADHD -- Home Testing
  • Concentration -- Home Test Kits
• Brain & Neurological Disorders: Related Home Testing:
  • ADHD -- Home Tests
  • Drug Screening Kits
• more tests...»

Stories from Users for Personality change

Real-life user stories relating to Personality change:

• Sudden Personality Change

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Personality change or relevant symptoms:

• Neurological (Nerves) (606)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Eye twitch
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • So many symptoms but no diagnosis...GGRRR
  • More user stories
• Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (160)
  • Symptoms of Cushing's - Tests all negative
  • Has anyone been diagnosed with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and are being treated??
  • I am at my wits end with these symptoms
  • Pitutary tumor
  • I think I have Cushings, can you help?
  • More user stories
• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (333)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Palpitations, inner left arm pain
  • Hand numbness
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • More user stories
• Psychiatric (Mental Health) (359)
  • PLEASE can anyone help my son?!
  • What The F*** Is Rong With Me...please Help
  • Addicted To Stealing
  • My husbands making me sad
  • Heart condition or mental health problem?
  • More user stories

Videos for Personality change

Patient Surveys for Personality change

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about diseases related to your Personality change
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Medications or substances causing Personality change:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Personality change as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Chloroquine Phosphate
• Aralen Phosphate
• Chloroquine and Primaquine
• Aralen Phosphate with Primaquine Phosphate
• Mysoline
• Olanzapine
• more causes...»

See full list of 45 medications causing Personality change

Drug interactions causing Personality change:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Personality change as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Bumex (Bumetanide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
• Diachlor (Chlorothiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
• Diuril (Chlorothiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
• Diucardin (Hydroflumethiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
• Saluron (Hydroflumethiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
• Edecrin (Ethacrynic Acid) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
• more interactions...»

See full list of 12 drug interactions causing Personality change

Organs affected by Personality change:

The list of organs typically affected by Personality change may include, but is not limited to:

• Brain

Detailed list of causes of Personality change

The list below shows some of the causes of Personality change mentioned in various sources:

• Abscess of frontal lobe of brain
• Achromatopsia - personality changes
• ACTH Deficiency - psychosis
• Addison's Disease - reduced tolerance to emotional stress
• Adhesive abuse - personality changes
• more causes...»

See full list of 211 causes of Personality change

How Common are these Causes of Personality change?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Personality change. Of the 211 causes of Personality change that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 6 causes are "very common" diseases
• 10 causes are "common" diseases
• 5 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 2 causes are "rare" diseases
• 10 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 195 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 211 causes of Personality change

Conditions listing symptoms: Personality change:

The following list of conditions have 'Personality change' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Personality change Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Personality change based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: