Understanding and Treating Personality Disorder
Personality disorder, like all other mental health disorders, differs from person to person, and so does its treatment. There are different types of personality disorders, and one has its own set of negative patterns that can make daily functioning difficult.
Treatment for personality disorder is specialised and designed specifically for a patient’s unique circumstances. It can vary from residential-based treatment, where patients are given care 24/7, to outpatient treatment, therapeutic communities, medication, etc. In the majority of cases, treatment can be a combination of multiple approaches that target individual symptoms.
The goal of personality disorder treatment is to minimise the symptoms and ultimately help people live their lives without the negative impact brought by this disorder on their relationships, personal pursuits, work, and family.
Read on to learn more about personality disorder, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatment options.
What is Personality Disorder
When we talk about personality, we usually mean unique traits that inform how we think and act in different settings. A personality disorder is only a disorder when these unique traits are unhealthy and can negatively impact a person’s life, making it hard for them to function in everyday settings.
Personality disorder affects an individual’s belief systems and, in turn, informs their actions. Someone with a personality disorder may act differently than most people and exhibit harmful extremes like the following:
- Impulsivity
- Thinking in extremes
- Going from euphoria to melancholy really quickly
- Prone to outbursts
- Obsessive thinking
These are just some general traits, but most people struggling with personality disorders feel misunderstood. They often feel like they are in conflict with the world and find it very hard to open up to others because they get misunderstood. Because of this, they can also find it challenging to form secure and positive relationships, whether it be at work, school, or any community.
There are many types of personality disorders, each affecting how a person interacts and functions in daily life. In some cases, this can lead to anti-social behaviour, especially people who may not be aware they have this disorder.
But personality disorder doesn’t mean there’s something “wrong” with who you are as a person. Having this disorder and not being able to manage the symptoms doesn’t mean that you are a failure or it’s your fault why this is happening in the first place. This is why the goal of treatment is more on accepting the duality of your thoughts and emotions and ultimately cultivating a healthy inner compass so you can live life on your own terms.
What Causes Personality Differences?
There is no single cause as to why a personality disorder develops. However, there have been studies that point to environmental factors, childhood trauma, and also genetics as some of the factors in its development.
For most people, childhood trauma is the root cause of their personality disorders, for it is during their childhood that they form their unique traits from their environment. The way a person operates is typically rooted in their early formative years, which is why personality disorder treatment may also be focused on dismantling unhealthy coping patterns and belief systems from their past.
Experiences in childhood that may trigger personality disorder:
- Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
- Growing up in a chaotic family where conflicts arise frequently
- Growing up with adults who have mental health problems, suffer from substance abuse, or those with a history of personality disorders as well
- Lack of support and care from family members or most of the adults in their life
- Traumatic events in the family or friendships like accidents, deaths, etc.
Not all of these experiences necessarily can lead to personality disorder. However, they may be contributing factors to how a person operates as an adult. Fortunately, a diagnosis from a therapist can help determine the specific circumstances that can cause a person’s personality disorder. Likewise, through this excavation of their past, they can determine the best treatment approaches that target their specific needs.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Diagnosing Personality Disorder
There’s so much stigma around personality disorders as most people believe that personality is innate, and therefore, getting a diagnosis means there’s something inherently wrong with an individual. Although personality disorders can be clouded in shame, diagnosis can help people gain clarity and understanding of their struggles. It’s not an excuse but an explanation of how they find it difficult to navigate life.
Getting a personality disorder diagnosis can be illuminating for most people, and this lightens their emotional burdens. Because then, they can move forward and get the proper treatment to help them move away from the negative patterns of their disorder.
Personality disorder is treatable, and it’s possible to manage the symptoms so that it can no longer derail a person’s daily life. According to the National Institute for Healthcare and Excellence (NICE), 50% of people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder no longer have the symptoms of the disorder after 5-10 years of diagnosis.
Diagnosis should not be seen as a life sentence; instead, it is incredibly empowering because it helps people learn more about themselves and leads them in the right direction towards healing.
How are Personality Disorders Treated?
Personality disorders are treated based on the specific type that a person has. Currently, there are over ten recognised personality disorders and numerous subcategories. The main principle in treating personality disorder is to inculcate a realistic and balanced mindset for people suffering from it.
People with personality disorders can think and act in extremes, and having a more grounded reality can help them navigate through their challenges. This way, they can form more meaningful relationships, learn ways to communicate better and cultivate a solid sense of self that is removed from their personality disorder.
Below, you’ll find the various treatment options for personality disorders. Each one is specifically catered to different circumstances of an individual and depends on the severity of the disorder.
Therapeutic communities
Treatment is often based on clusters of personality disorders, and oftentimes, residential-based treatment is the best option for specific needs. For one, they have constant access to psychotherapy appointments, wellness workshops, bespoke nutritional plans and other activities that promote holistic healing.
This kind of treatment option is highly structured and is incredibly helpful for patients as their only goal is to focus on their treatment. Here, they can learn about healthy coping strategies, understand their symptoms better, and have the necessary means to get back on their feet and transition back to their daily life more healthily.
Inpatient treatment and mentalisation-based therapy
This treatment approach is particularly helpful in dealing with BPD, where most people are prone to self-harm and emotional dysregulation. Mentalisation-based therapy focuses on examining unhealthy thought patterns and belief systems. The patient and the therapist will then collaborate to practice more healthy strategies to have a grounded perception and become less reactive when symptoms activate.
Outpatient and day care
Outpatient and daycare are often given to those with less severe personality disorders. This is a flexible treatment plan where an individual can receive access to a variety of therapy sessions and workshops and access to a community while still being able to participate in their daily life.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
DBT is a core treatment approach in helping people with personality disorders; here, they learn how to accept their emotions, become less reactive, and navigate through the tides of their emotions.
DBT is a talk therapy that aims to position the therapist as an “ally”, not an “adversary” to the patient. This is crucial for people with personality disorders as they may have trust issues and find it hard to open up about their struggles in confrontational methods.
There are four core elements in practising DBT, these are:
- Mindfulness
- Acceptance
- Distress tolerance
- Emotional regulation
The goal of DBT is to foster a more grounded reality and also develop skills where people can handle anger, feelings of self-harm, and intense emotions without resorting to extreme actions. For most people with personality disorders, DBT can help them feel freer and detach themselves from the highs and lows of their emotions.
Through this treatment, they can form more positive connections, acquire self-compassion, and create healthy choices that are in line with their selfhood and not based on their personality disorder.
Medication for personality disorders
Personality disorders don’t have specific medications to treat them. Still, mood stabiliser stabilisers and anti-psychotic medications can be helpful for those who also have co-occurring conditions like depression, bipolar, or anxiety. Coupled with therapy, people can improve better with the support of medication.
FREE Personality Disorder Assessment
If your or a loved one are struggling with personality disorder, we understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free personality disorder assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
