Personality Disorder
Millions of Americans struggle with a personality disorder every day. Personality disorders can deeply affect an individual’s emotions, behaviors and relationships, often leading to significant challenges in daily life. Qualified mental health treatment like that offered at Connections Wellness Group provides a personality disorder program that helps people manage their symptoms and live fulfilling lives. Reach out to Connections Wellness Group online for more information about our comprehensive mental health treatment programs that are accessible to a diverse population.
Types of Personality Disorders
There are 10 different types of personality disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Personality disorders are characterized by an individual’s way of thinking, feeling and behaving deviates from the expectations, causing distress or problems functioning, and lasting over time. The types of personality disorders include:
Antisocial personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (not the same as OCD, which is an anxiety disorder)
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is one of the mental health conditions that we treat at Connections Wellness Group, as its symptoms can make it difficult to function in everyday life. Signs of BPD can be misdiagnosed, especially in men, so it’s possible even more people are grappling with BPD and don’t realize it. People with BPD have difficulty regulating their emotional responses, which has a negative impact on relationships and the individual’s self-esteem.
Environmental, social, and genetic factors all play a part in developing BPD. People who have a close family member with a mental illness, those who experienced childhood trauma, and those with specific structural and functional brain differences have the highest risk of developing BPD. While BPD is a serious mental health problem, getting borderline personality disorder treatment can alleviate BPD symptoms.
Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder
The signs of borderline personality disorder typically begin in early adulthood and improve with age. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and symptoms can change with time. The most common symptoms of BPD include:
Fear of being abandoned
A distorted self-image
Self-harm
Intense moods and trouble controlling anger
A pattern of unstable, highly charged relationships, including with friends and family
Feeling dissociated, as if observing oneself from the outside
Feeling empty
Repeated threats of suicide
Impulsive behavior, such as substance use, unsafe sexual behavior, overspending, binge eating, and reckless driving
The severity and duration of symptoms vary based on the individual, their illness, and their medical history. We are here to support you, but if someone you care about is in immediate distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or 911.
What to Expect from a Personality Disorder Program
Getting help for a personality disorder at a treatment center begins with a proper diagnosis. A qualified mental health professional will conduct an interview and discuss how symptoms are affecting the patient’s life. It will also be necessary to perform a thorough medical examination to rule out any physical reasons for symptoms.
Treatment will likely include a combination of therapies and can extend for many months or until symptoms are well-managed. At Connections Wellness Group, our experts use several types of evidence-based therapies for personality disorder treatment. Following an initial assessment and recommendation for a level of care that is appropriate for you, our mental health experts will deliver our comprehensive outpatient mental health treatment. Depending on the needs of each patient, these could include the following:
Types of Psychotherapy Available at an Outpatient Center That Treats Personality Disorder
Finding the best treatments for each patient at a personality disorder treatment center can take time. Symptoms can change; as old symptoms improve, new ones may emerge. A typical treatment plan includes at least one of the following therapeutic approaches:
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – This therapy focuses on being in the moment, controlling impulses, and improving relationships
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT helps treat BPD by changing negative thoughts and behaviors
Motivational interviewing (MI) – MI is an empathetic, directive form of therapy that helps people find the motivation to change
Individual counseling – One-on-one therapy sessions provide a safe space for patients to explore their thoughts and feelings in depth
Group therapy – Group therapy can provide valuable support from peers who are also struggling with BPD, as well as helpful strategies for managing symptoms.
In addition to psychotherapy, medications may be prescribed to treat anxiety or depression, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications designed specifically to treat personality disorders.
Find a Personality Disorder Program
If you or someone you know is struggling with a personality disorder, Connections Wellness Group is here to help with in-person and virtual therapy options that allow us to meet your specific needs.
Contact Connections Wellness Group online or by phone at (877) 747-4294 for more information about our mental health treatment services and how we can help treat personality disorder.