What is the psychological term for someone who is controlling?
The psychological term for someone who exhibits controlling behavior is often referred to as "control freak" in colloquial language, but in clinical psychology, this behavior can be associated with several personality disorders or traits. The most commonly associated psychological conditions include:
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Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Individuals with OCPD have a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. They may feel a strong need to impose their standards on their environment and others, leading to controlling behavior.
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Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): People with NPD have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for excessive attention and admiration. They may manipulate and control others to maintain their self-esteem and to ensure that they are the center of attention.
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Individuals with BPD may exhibit controlling behaviors as a way to manage their intense fear of abandonment. They might try to control their relationships to prevent others from leaving them.
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Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): Those with ASPD may use controlling and manipulative behaviors to exploit others for personal gain or pleasure. They often disregard the rights and feelings of others.
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Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD): People with HPD may use controlling behaviors to draw attention to themselves and to ensure that they remain the focus of others' attention.
It's important to note that not everyone who exhibits controlling behavior has a personality disorder. Controlling behavior can also be a learned behavior or a coping mechanism developed in response to past trauma or insecure attachment styles. Additionally, controlling behavior can be situational and not necessarily indicative of a deeper psychological issue.
In a non-clinical context, controlling behavior might simply be a personality trait or a response to stress, anxiety, or insecurity. It's also worth mentioning that the term "control freak" is not a formal psychological diagnosis but rather a colloquial term used to describe someone who has a strong need to control people and situations.
If someone's controlling behavior is causing significant distress or impairment in their personal, social, or occupational functioning, it may be beneficial for them to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapy can help individuals understand the root causes of their behavior and develop healthier ways of interacting with others.
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