The Blanchard Institute
Personality Disorder Treatment
Personality Disorder Treatment at TBI
When you’re dealing with a personality disorder, it can be hard to know where to turn for help. There are so many factors at play: the stigma surrounding mental health in general, the difficulty of diagnosing and treating personality disorders, and the fact that there are so many different types of personality disorders.
But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.
We’ve compiled everything you need to know about personality disorder treatment into one easy-to-read guide. From finding the right therapist to choosing the right medication and making sure you’re getting the most out of therapy sessions, we’ve got you covered—and we’re here every step of the way!
Contact Us
What Is Personality Disorder?
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Hey, did you know that your mom/dad/sibling has a personality disorder?” then you’ve met someone who doesn’t know what a personality disorder is. To put it plainly: a personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates from the norm.
Someone with a personality disorder may have difficulty regulating their emotions and thoughts, or they may have trouble processing things emotionally. They can also be impulsive and act on urges without considering the consequences, or they can struggle with their sense of identity or self-image.
There are different types of personality disorders, but they all fall into one of three categories:
Cluster A (odd or eccentric)
These are the “odd or eccentric” personality disorders, including paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. People with these disorders may have odd beliefs or magical thinking (like believing they can control things with their minds), and often seem to be in their own world. They may also have poor eye contact and body language skills, a very limited social circle, and difficulty developing close relationships.
Cluster B (dramatic, emotional or erratic)
These are the “dramatic, emotional or erratic” personality disorders, including borderline, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders. People with these disorders may feel very strongly about themselves and others but often have trouble controlling their emotions. They may display intense anger or jealousy, as well as dramatic mood swings that can last for hours or days.
Cluster C (anxious or fearful)
These are the “anxious or fearful” personality disorders, including avoidant, dependent and paranoid. People with these disorders often feel extremely anxious about being criticized or rejected by others, so they may be reluctant to interact with others. They may also have trouble trusting others due to feelings of low self-worth.
Effective Personality Disorder Treatment Options
Though the causes of personality disorders are not entirely known, they may be related to brain chemistry and genetics. Some people with these disorders may also have a mental illness, such as depression. However regardless of the cause, the symptoms can be treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a well-known treatment for personality disorders, and it’s one of the oldest forms of treatment. It can be hard to get into a good psychotherapist and even harder to find someone who will treat you for free, so it’s important to know what psychotherapy actually means.
Psychotherapy is simply a conversation between two people who want to talk about their issues, problems, and feelings. It focuses on the here and now—the present moment—and helps people learn how to deal with their problems in healthy ways. Some therapists use different methods depending on their style: some might use talk therapy, some might use play therapy, some might use behavioral therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is especially popular because it focuses on the present and teaches people how to think about their problems differently so that they can have more control over them.
The goal of psychotherapy is not just to make you feel better; it’s also about helping you identify what’s causing your negative behaviors so that you can change them into positive ones. This process can take anywhere from six months to several years, depending on how long it takes for both parties involved (you and your therapist) to feel comfortable enough with each other in order to talk openly about the most personal details of your life.
Medications
Medications are one of the most popular treatments for personality disorder. It’s estimated that around 75% of people with a personality disorder will receive some form of medical treatment, and many of these individuals will receive medication. But what are they?
A medication is a chemical substance that can be ingested in pill or liquid form to treat a condition or illness. Medications are prescribed by doctors and taken as part of an ongoing treatment plan to help manage symptoms associated with a disorder. While medications are often used as part of other treatments for personality disorders, it’s not always necessary for them to be used in conjunction with other types of therapy in order for them to be effective.
There are several different types of medications that can be used to treat personality disorders including
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be used to treat depression, anxiety and other mood disorders associated with personality disorders. Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed for people who have PTSD or other conditions that cause them to experience severe anxiety.
Mood stabilizers
Human brain chemistry is complex and scientists are still working to understand all of the factors that contribute to personality disorders. One of the main theories regarding how mood stabilizers work is that they help restore balance in brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which can affect a person’s mood. By targeting these chemicals, mood stabilizers may help people with personality disorders manage their emotions and reactions to stressful situations.
Antipsychotic medications
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that causes people to experience hallucinations and delusions. These drugs may also be prescribed for people with other types of personality disorders in order to treat some of their symptoms. For example, an antipsychotic medication may be given to someone who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder as well as a co-occurring condition like bipolar disorder or depression.
Anti-anxiety medications
Anti-anxiety medications are used to treat anxiety disorders, which are conditions that cause people to experience excessive and irrational worrying. These drugs may also be prescribed for people with other types of personality disorders in order to treat some of their symptoms. For example, an anti-anxiety medication may be given to someone who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder as well as a co-occurring condition like bipolar disorder or depression.
Get Professional Help From TBI
At The Blanchard Institute, we understand the importance of getting professional mental health assistance. We provide a variety of services related to mental health care, including consultation and therapy. Our team consists of licensed professionals who are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to help you manage your symptoms in a safe environment and achieve sustainable recovery. If you’re looking for personality disorder treatment options, please contact us today! We look forward to serving you.
Do People Typically Have More Than One Personality Disorder?
Technically, according to DSM-5, a person can receive more than one personality disorder diagnosis. People who are diagnosed with a personality disorder most often qualify for more than one diagnosis. A person with a severe personality disorder might meet the criteria for four, five or even more disorders! In practice, clinicians usually recognize that meeting more criteria for personality disorders means more severe disorder.
What Is The Difference Between Borderline Personality Disorder And Bipolar Disorder?
Both borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder involve impulsivity and unstable emotional experiences and mood. People with borderline personality disorder, however, also have problems in self-image and relationships. Specifically, individuals with borderline personality disorder have identity disturbances, such as an unstable sense of self and chronic feelings of emptiness. They also have relationships in which they alternate between extremes of seeing someone as good/worthy and seeing them as bad/worthless. They experience intense fears of abandonment by others on whom they feel dependent. Typically, the signs of borderline personality disorder are evident over at least several years (although they appear to wax and wane over time), while the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder appear in episodes. Seek out personality disorder treatment today if you feel you are suffering from this condition.
What Challenges Do Those With Personality Disorders Tend To Face?
They may blame other people for problems in their life, and be aggressive and violent, upsetting others with their behavior and hurting relationships with those who truly care about them. Someone with a personality disorder may also have other mental health problems, such as depression and substance misuse.
