One of the most challenging mental health conditions to treat are personality disorders. Those with these disorders often experience abnormal thoughts and engage in impulsive behaviors that prevent them from functioning at their best. The specific personality disorder diagnosis will vary based on the specific thoughts and behaviors.
What Are Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are patterns of behavior and ways of thinking that ultimately change the way people think about themselves, respond to their emotions, relate to others, and manage their behaviors. Personality disorders are often influenced by life experiences and circumstances, including traumatic events from the past. Those with personality disorders can cause enormous conflicts with people, impacting relationships and social situations. People with personality disorders often don’t recognize that they have problems and are often confusing or frustrating to people around them. This can lead to significant distress or impairment.
There are several types of personality disorders, each with its own characteristics regarding behaviors, emotions, and thoughts displayed. Personality disorders often begin by late adolescence or early adulthood, and without treatment, can cause distress and problems functioning in everyday life.
Some common personality disorders include:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Paranoid personality disorder
Personality Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Once fully diagnosed, getting treatment for a personality disorder can help you understand the effects of your behaviors, gain insight and knowledge about your disorder, and reduce behavior-causing problems that may affect your quality of life. Many people have responded well to a trial of medication to address any impulsive behaviors, mood swings, or co-occurring disorders.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a form of psychotherapy that focuses on practicing techniques to manage emotional symptoms and negative thoughts, is also helpful. Using CBT methods can help break these personality patterns by changing how the patient thinks about themselves and others around them. We can help you understand and manage the personality disorder. Dr. Alkesh Patel specializes in helping people overcome the challenges of living with a personality disorder. Call us today!
