A personality disorder diagnosis—whether it’s yours or a loved one’s—can leave you reeling. It means you need to look for personality disorder treatment centers. This might be something you’ve never heard of before, and you feel that you’re struggling to catch up. It can also feel like a relief, because with a diagnosis comes the hope of successful treatment. And, while having treatment for a personality disorder can be difficult, it can also be rewarding.
Personality disorders are relatively common, affecting 9.1% of American adults. Personality disorders are sometimes subject to stigma, but this is now being challenged. With a residential treatment center for dependent personality disorder, many people with personality disorders can manage their symptoms.
What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are a kind of mental illness. People with personality disorders have rigid ways of thinking and difficulty changing. Their personality traits cause conflict both with self and others. These tendencies can make life difficult in many ways, both for the person struggling with the disorder and their loved ones.
Personality disorders are caused by a combination of factors. Both genetics and childhood trauma and PTSD, such as abuse or neglect, may play a role. Yet, a brain dysfunction of some kind may be involved too. For instance, it may be that certain regions of the brain have trouble communicating with one another. This may contribute to emotional instability and other symptoms.
Symptoms usually first appear during adolescence. However, personality disorders are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. It’s often the case that the correct diagnosis is only made during adulthood. While 9.1% of American adults have a personality disorder, only 39% of those receive any treatment.
There are 10 different types of personality disorders grouped into three categories, or clusters.
Cluster A: Odd or Eccentric Behavior
- Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). People with this disorder are suspicious and distrustful of others. They tend to hold grudges and perceive personal insults where there are none. They are often hard to get along with. People with PPD often self-isolate due to their ongoing suspicions of others.
- Schizoid Personality Disorder. People with schizoid personality disorder are distant and withdrawn. They focus more on their thoughts and feelings than on outward stimuli. They have trouble expressing themselves and reading other people’s social cues. Often they are “loners” with few or no close friends.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder. This disorder often leads people to dress or act in unusual ways. They may have paranoia or strange beliefs, such as that they can read minds or see into the future. People with schizotypal personality disorder aren’t always loners. But, because they often interact in inappropriate ways, they may become isolated.
Cluster B: Dramatic, Erratic or Emotional Behavior
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). People with this disorder have an unstable self-image and unstable relationships with others. They have trouble regulating their mood, are impulsive and often behave in risky ways. This disorder is diagnosed more often in women than in men, but this may be due to gender stereotyping. There is evidence that BPD occurs equally in men and women. However, men with BPD symptoms are more often diagnosed with depression or PTSD.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). People with NPD are drawn to power and success, and to the appearance of it. They exaggerate their abilities and achievements to get praise and attention. Another common feature is a sense of entitlement. This may lead them to take advantage of others to get what they want.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder. People with this disorder ignore the rights, feelings and safety of others. They tend to have a disregard for right and wrong, both ethically and legally. They may lie to or manipulate people, ignore their obligations and be hostile or violent.
- Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Someone with HPD feels the need to be provocative and seductive. They want to be the center of attention as much as possible. Their need for approval is typically due to low self-esteem. Other common symptoms are mood swings and dramatic behavior.
Cluster C: Anxious, Fearful Behavior
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). People with OCPD are perfectionists with a strong need to be in control. They tend to be very rigid and particular about details. While they are orderly and reliable, they also have a hard time adapting to change. Note that OCPD is distinct from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One major difference is that people with OCD have unwanted intrusive thoughts. In contrast, people with OCPD are comfortable with their thoughts and beliefs.
- Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD). People with DPD are dependent and submissive. They rely heavily on others for reassurance and guidance on making decisions. They have a strong fear of being alone or rejected, and find it hard to disagree with others or take criticism. Some people may stay in an unhealthy or abusive relationship to avoid being alone.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder. People with this disorder face crippling stress in their day-day-day lives. This strongly affects their ability to socialize and maintain relationships. They feel inferior to others and are sensitive to criticism. Some people may even isolate themselves to avoid it.
Why Seek Treatment for a Personality Disorder?
In the past, many mental health professionals did not believe in treating personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. Today we know that the evidence-based treatment of personality disorders is both possible and worthwhile. There’s no reason to live with the painful side effects of an untreated mental disorder.
The goal of personality disorder treatment isn’t to “cure” your personality. There is no such cure. However, if you have a personality disorder, treatment can improve your quality of life. Treatment is also important if you engage in impulsive or risky behavior. Getting treatment can help you avoid the behavior and the harmful consequences.
Having a personality disorder may make you feel isolated, rejected or abandoned. Treatment can help you recognize why you feel that way and what you can do to change it. With successful treatment, you may build stronger relationships and have a more satisfying life.
Mental health treatment is important not just because of how it can help. It’s also important to recognize what happens without treatment. People with personality disorders may find it increasingly hard to manage their symptoms. That means they’re vulnerable to risky behavior and its consequences. Depending on the disorder, the risks may include:
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Eating disorders
- Attempted suicide
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Behavioral addictions such as gambling or sex addiction
- Financial problems that may lead to bankruptcy
- Legal problems that may result in incarceration
Treatment for Personality Disorder
Therapy is the core of treatment for most people with personality disorders. The kind of therapy may depend on the disorder they have and their unique challenges. Some possible modes of therapy for personality disorders include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing unhealthy patterns that contribute to harmful behavior. The client and their therapist work on understanding these patterns and their origins. Then they challenge the unhealthy patterns and restructure them into healthier ones.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This is like CBT but with a greater focus on mindfulness. This therapy helps people learn to self-regulate their mood and handle difficult situations. It also involves learning interpersonal skills to improve relationships.
- Schema Therapy: This mode of therapy challenges dysfunctional schemas. Schemas are beliefs and feelings that are learned in childhood. Schema therapists help clients detect, challenge and change schema that are dysfunctional.
- Behavioral Incentives: For anti-social disorder, treatment includes therapy that rewards appropriate behavior. This is important, because people with this disorder may have no internal motivation to act appropriately. Incentive therapy is sometimes a part of addiction treatment, too.
Psychiatric Medication
People with personality disorders often benefit from medication as well as therapy. While there are no drugs designed for personality disorders, some drugs help relieve certain symptoms.
Classes of medication that might be prescribed include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.
Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
People with personality disorders are often emotionally unstable and engage in risky behavior. This means they’re at risk for co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety disorder, eating disorders and addiction.
These co-occurring disorders have long-term risks in themselves. They can increase the risk of self-harm, suicide attempts and other kinds of risky behavior. Both addiction and eating disorders can cause permanent physical damage to the body and are sometimes deadly.
For people with co-occurring disorders, it’s important to receive dual diagnosis treatment. This is a treatment that addresses both the personality disorder and any co-occurring disorders at the same time. Having untreated depression or addiction holds side effects that make it harder to focus on mental wellness. It can also trigger relapses in personality disorder symptoms. Having an untreated mental illness means it’s harder to manage the personality disorder in the long term, even after treatment.
In short, treating both a personality disorder and any co-occurring disorders at the same time means that treatment is more likely to be successful.
Continuing Support
Mental wellness is a long-term project. After time in personality disorder treatment centers, it’s important to continue with outpatient therapy and other supportive measures.
This is vital for people with personality disorders. That’s because even with treatment, many continue to struggle with managing emotions and behavior. Life events can sometimes trigger relapses. But sticking with support groups, therapy or medication can help.
Aftercare needs are specific to the individual. A good aftercare plan might include:
- Talk therapy
- 12 step support groups
- Medication
- Recovery-focused activities such as workbooks or meditation
Insurance Coverage for Personality Disorder Treatment
Promises Behavioral Health’s treatment centers partner with several insurance carriers to provide in-network coverage. In some cases, it may also be possible to provide out-of-network coverage. We also accept private payment.
If you’re not sure about your coverage you can call for a free insurance check. We can check your eligibility and help you understand what you’re covered for. If you decide to check in at a Promises Behavioral Health facility, an admissions counselor can work with your insurance provider to maximize your coverage.
What Is PBH Residential Personality Disorder Treatment Like?
Promises Behavioral Health offers treatment for personality disorders. Sometimes it may be as the primary diagnosis, and other times it is a co-occurring disorder.
Treatment for personality disorders includes different types of therapy and supportive activities. Your treatment plan will depend on your unique situation. Programs include group and solo therapy, support activities and process groups. For some people treatment may also include medication.
Promises Behavioral Health also provides support for people with co-occurring disorders. We provide integrated treatment programs that are tailored to the individual. This is to ensure you get the evidence-based treatment that is best suited to your needs.
Depending on your needs, your treatment program may include:
- Pre-program medical detox, if you have a co-occurring substance abuse or addiction problem
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Mindfulness meditation and/or yoga
- Music or art therapy
- Spirituality awareness
- Fitness activities
- Relapse prevention counseling
- Family therapy
We also offer aftercare programs to help you stay on the road to recovery. This may include group sessions, alumni programs and help with managing medication.
Treatment Can Help You Live Your Life and Thrive
Personality disorders are not curable; they are life-long mental health conditions. It can be intimidating to realize this because these disorders can make many aspects of life more difficult.
Even though there are no cures, there can be healing. There are effective treatments for personality disorders to help you live life more fully. If you have a personality disorder, getting therapy and other forms of treatment can help you manage your symptoms. With the right treatment, you can work towards a life that’s authentic, full and satisfying.
Call us today at 844.875.5609 to get your life back. Promises Behavioral Health is here to help.