Personality Disorder

What We Treat >> Mental Health >> Personality Disorder

What Is Personality Disorder

A personality disorder is a form of mental illness in which the individual has difficulty recognizing and interacting appropriately to situations and with people – including self-interaction. Generally, a personality disorder is characterized by an unyielding and unhealthy pattern of behavior and thought processes, regardless of the situation, which leads to problems in work, social, and interpersonal relationships.

The biggest obstacle to identifying a personality disorder is that, for the person needing help, the behavior seems normal and problems lie outside of them. Signs that a personality disorder may exist include:
Alcohol or substance abuse
Angry outbursts
Difficulty making friends
Frequent mood swings
Need for instant gratification
Poor impulse control
Social isolation
Stormy relationships
Suspicion and mistrust of others

However, healthy individuals may experience each of these at any given time. If they are persistent, though, or are beginning to appear in combination or are contributing to increasingly destructive behavior, then it is necessary to seek help and diagnosis.

Specific Types Of Personality Disorders/span>

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on symptoms and similarities.

Cluster ‘A’ Personality Disorders

Characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior and include:
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder

Cluster ‘C’ Personality Disorders

Characterized by anxious, fearful thinking or behavior and include:
Avoidant personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Additionally, many people who are diagnosed with one personality disorder also have signs and symptoms of at least one additional personality disorder.

Treatment Modalities

Personality disorders can be treated in a number of different ways. Treatment modalities include:
Psychotherapy
Medications
Hospitalization

Psychotherapy

This is the principal method for treating personality disorders. The different methods include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
Psychoeducation
Dialectical behavior therapy

Psychotherapy may be delivered in individual, group, or family settings. The method used depends on the unique circumstances of the individual seeking therapy.

Hospitalization & Residential Treatment Programs

In some cases, a personality disorder may be so severe that hospitalization is necessary, usually if the individual is not able to care for him or herself or if there is a danger of harm to the client or others.

The different options for hospitalization include:
24-hour inpatient care
Partial or day, hospitalization
Residential treatment

Dual Diagnosis Of Personality Disorders & Dependence

Because any mental health disorder can reduce a client’s chances for successful recovery from drugs and alcohol, Burning Tree evaluates every client for possible mental health issues. A dual diagnosis of a personality disorder and dependence could explain why the client’s previous attempts at sobriety were unsuccessful. Once the dual diagnosis has been established, a suitable integrated treatment plan for both the personality disorder and the drug or alcohol dependence can be created.

Clinical Treatment For Personality Disorders

Clients who require this type of treatment participate in clinical treatment for a personality disorder as part of the overall program at Burning Tree. The treatment may consist of individual, group sessions and even family treatment integration. Helping clients with personality disorders understand the effects of unconscious thoughts and develop strategies for changing behavior patterns proves highly effective due to the ability for clients to put these newly acquired skills into practice continuously before returning to independent living.