Personality Disorders

PERSONALITY DISORDERS TREATMENT

Personality disorders is a classification of mental health disorders that feature unhealthy patterns of thoughts and behaviors. The disordered functioning that results from a personality disorder can cause serious impairment in work, relationships, or school and can lead to social isolation or substance use disorders. Most personality disorders emerge during the teen years or in early adulthood.

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters or types. These include:

Cluster A:

• Paranoid personality disorder (PDD). PDD features distrusting and suspicious thoughts about other’s motives or actions, paranoid thinking, misperception of remarks as personal insults, angry responses to perceived insults, and holding grudges.

• Schizoid personality disorder (SPD). SPD is characterized by isolating behaviors, a limited range of emotional expression, unable to pick up social cues, seeming disconnected, unengaged, or indifferent to others, and a lack of interest in sex or personal relationships.

• Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD). STPD features social anxiety, strange style of dress, speech, and behaviors, inappropriate emotional responses, belief you can influence people with your thoughts, belief in hidden messages, and suspicion toward others.

Cluster B:

• Antisocial personality disorder (APD). APD features a disregard for rules, impulsivity, a lack of remorse when they hurt or offend others, irritability, aggressive behavior, and manipulative behaviors.

• Borderline personality disorder. Characterized by mood swings, fragile self-image, fear of abandonment, feelings of emptiness, impulsive and high-risk behaviors, angry outbursts, self-harming behaviors or suicide attempts, unstable relationships, and fragile self-image.

• Histrionic personality disorder (HPD). HPD features attention-seeking behavior, overly dramatic outbursts, sexually provocative behaviors, obsession about appearance, being easily influenced by others, being opinionated and hyperbolic, and being shallow.

• Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). NPD is characterized by a need to be admired, a sense of superiority, a lack of empathy or compassion, expecting constant praise, arrogance, taking advantage of others, have an exaggerated sense of self.

Cluster C:

• Avoidant personality disorder (APD). APD features an avoidance of social situations due to excessive fear of rejection, lack of friendships, being overly shy, lonely,

• Dependent personality disorder (DPD). DPD is characterized by being needy, excessive dependence on others, fear of having to fend for oneself, being submissive toward others, lack of self-confidence, must always be in a relationship, tolerating abusive behavior, doesn’t speak up for self.

• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). OCPD differs from OCD, which is in the anxiety spectrum. OCPD features obsessive with achieving perfection, does not delegate responsibilities to others, putting work ahead of relationships and leisure, being rigid and stubborn, being miserly with money, seeks to control others.

Causes of Personality Disorders

The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown, however, certain factors are said to be involved in their development. These include:

• Genetics. Certain personality traits or a family history of personality disorders or mental illness can be linked to developing a personality disorder.
• Childhood abuse. An abusive or unstable home in childhood can result in a personality disorder.
• Childhood conduct disorder. Being diagnosed with a conduct disorder in childhood can be a precursor to a personality disorder.
• Brain chemistry. A chemical imbalance may contribute to a personality disorder.

Treatment of Personality Disorders

Treatment for a personality disorder will be determined by the specific disorder that is diagnosed, however, in most cases, treatment interventions will include some form of psychotherapy and medication:

Psychotherapy. The primary purpose of psychotherapy in treating personality disorder is to help the individual learn to access coping skills, stress reduction techniques, and social skills to better manage the symptoms of the disorder. Psychotherapy can be provided in individual sessions or group sessions.

Medication. There are a variety of psychotropic medications that can help mitigate symptoms of a personality disorder. These might include antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, anti-anxiety medications, or mood stabilizers.

Residential and Outpatient Treatment for Personality Disorders

Contact Elevation Behavioral Health to learn more about the treatment programs available and options. Call our Admissions Team at 888-561-0868.