Our personalities define who we are and how people see us. While many people can adapt their personalities to fit cultural expectations, others may struggle to do so.
Personality disorders can have a dramatic impact on every aspect of life, affecting social relationships, work, and school. But effective treatment can help you manage your symptoms and find balance.
At Recovery In Tune, we offer compassion and evidenced-based programs and therapies for people with personality disorders. If you’re struggling with a personality disorder, get in touch today to see how we can help.
What to Know About Personality Disorders
Your personality is defined by how you think and behave. People with personality disorders have deeply ingrained thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that differ from cultural expectations. These differences can make it difficult to relate to others and face the challenges of daily life.
Personality disorders can be challenging to deal with on your own, but recovery is possible. Personalized treatment and support can help you manage your symptoms, build healthy relationships, and live a happier life.
At Recovery In Tune, we can help you navigate your personality disorder and regain control of your life.
Causes & Risk Factors of Personality Disorders
Personality disorders aren’t brought on by any one factor. Personalities begin to form early in life and continue to change from the time you’re an adolescent through adulthood.
Two major factors that shape your personality are your genes and your environment.
These factors can play a role in determining how you behave, think, and cope with life. Some genetic and environmental factors can increase your risk of developing a personality disorder.
These risk factors may include:
- A family history of personality disorders or other mental health conditions
- Other genetic factors
- Early childhood trauma
- Abusive relationships during formative years
- Unstable living environment during childhood
- Certain personality traits like being especially sensitive or impulsive
- Co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
- Lack of social connections
- Not having strong relationships with peers or relatives
It’s good to be aware of these risk factors so you can recognize the need for early intervention and appropriate care.
Common Symptoms of Personality Disorders
Symptoms can vary widely based on the type of personality disorder you have. But some common signs of personality disorders include:
- Difficulty with mood and emotional regulation
- Lacking a clear identity or sense of self
- Lack of empathy
- Emotional detachment
- Extreme mood swings
- Emotional outbursts
- Impulsive behaviors
- Trouble making decisions
- Feelings of loneliness
- Difficulty trusting others
- Challenges in maintaining or forming relationships
- Distorted self-image or low self-esteem
- Difficulty adapting to changes
- Problems at school or work
- Risky or self-destructive behavior
- Little to no insight or self-awareness about problematic behaviors
If you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of a personality disorder, the team at Recovery In Tune can help.
Types of Personality Disorders Treated at Recovery In Tune
There are ten specific personality disorders. These disorders are broken up into three different groups or clusters. Personality disorders share common symptoms and features with other disorders in their respective cluster.
Here at Recovery In Tune, we tailor our evidence-based treatment based on your type of personality disorder and the cluster it falls into. The types of personality disorders we treat include:
- Cluster A: Those with Cluster A disorders consistently display distrust or lack of interest in others. These patterns of dysfunctional thinking and behavior fall into the following categories: paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. People in this cluster often experience symptoms like social detachment and difficulty maintaining relationships.
- Cluster B: Those with Cluster B personality disorders consistently display patterns of dramatic, erratic, or emotional behavior. These patterns fall into the following categories: borderline personality disorder (BPD), narcissistic personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. People in this cluster often experience symptoms like impulse control and self-image issues.
- Cluster C: Those with Cluster C personality disorders consistently display patterns of anxious and fearful behavior. These patterns fall into the following categories: avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. People in this cluster often experience symptoms like an intense fear of rejection or an intense need for approval.
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Long Term Effects of Personality Disorders
If left untreated, personality disorders can lead to serious long-term consequences. These long-term side effects may include:
- Chronic mental health issues: Personality disorders increase your risk of other mental health disorders like anxiety disorders, depression disorders, and substance abuse.
- Social isolation: Personality disorders can lead to avoidance of social situations due to fear of rejection or distrust of others.
- Employment or school challenges: Personality disorders can make it difficult to maintain a stable career or perform well in school.
- Difficulty with relationships: Personality disorders can strain existing relationships and make it difficult to form new ones.
- Legal issues: Problems with impulse control and decision-making may lead to legal issues
- Suicidal ideation: Individuals with personality disorders have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, self-harm, or suicide.
Early intervention and consistent treatment are essential for managing personality disorders and minimizing these risks.
Personality Disorder Treatment Program in Davie, FL
Our facility in Davie, FL, offers several structured programs to support people with personality disorders. Our personality disorder treatment programs include:
Our mental health partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides intensive, structured treatment for personality disorders during the day and allows patients to return home at night.
During the day, patients attend daily therapy, group support, and skill-building sessions to help them learn to manage their symptoms. PHP offers a balance between 24/7 inpatient care and lower-level outpatient programs.
Our mental health intensive outpatient program (IOP) for personality disorders gives structured support without a full-day commitment. Patients can attend sessions daily or several times a week as needed, allowing them to work on their condition while maintaining their daily responsibilities.
Those with personality disorders often have other co-occurring disorders, like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Our dual diagnosis program provides integrated treatment to address multiple issues, simultaneously enhancing recovery for all conditions.
For each of our programs, you can access services such as:
- Therapies: At Recovery In Tune, we offer a range of therapeutic options, including psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other talk therapy approaches designed to support healing and personal growth.
- Life skills and education workshops: Our workshops provide practical skills and educational resources, empowering you with tools to navigate everyday challenges and improve self-management.
- Psychiatric services: Our team of mental health professionals provides comprehensive support, including access to therapy, support groups, medication, or a tailored treatment plan designed to meet the unique needs of those with personality disorders.
- Medication-assisted treatment: Sometimes, medication may be part of effective personality disorder treatment. Common options include mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Our team will work with you to determine the best medication approach for your needs.
Therapies for Personality Disorders at Recovery In Tune
Our treatment approach utilizes several evidence-based and holistic therapies. Each can be tailored to address different aspects of personality disorders:
Based on the 12-step model, this therapy focuses on building support through community. It encourages accountability and incorporates peer support to help people build relationships while working on their recovery journey.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Challenging these patterns helps patients with personality disorders learn to regulate their emotions and respond to situations in a healthier way.
Mindfulness practices like meditation encourage patients to focus on the present moment and ground their emotions. Regularly practicing stress management and mindfulness techniques can help with common personality disorder symptoms like impulsivity and reactivity.
Physical movement and time outdoors can help support mental well-being and relaxation. We offer these types of alternative therapies to help patients engage in new experiences, promote self-reflection, and give a sense of accomplishment.
Past trauma and experiences during childhood can often contribute to the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors associated with personality disorders.
Trauma therapy provides patients with a safe space to process these experiences and understand how they played a part in shaping their personality.
Find Quality Care for Personality Disorders at Recovery In Tune
If you, a family member, or someone you care about is living with a personality disorder, Recovery In Tune can offer the help and support you need. Our programs and therapies can put you on the path to recovery and a normal, healthy life.
Ready to start your journey toward a healthier future? Contact us today to learn about our treatment options.
Personality Disorder Treatment FAQs
The best treatment for personality disorder can vary depending on the type of disorder and the needs of the individual.
Treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy, group therapy, and medication, if necessary. Recovery In Tune tailors your treatment plan to your unique needs.
Treatment for personality disorder can be very effective, especially with a long-term commitment. Individuals who receive treatment often experience significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
No, personality disorders are generally considered lifelong conditions. However, symptoms can be managed with treatment, and people with personality disorders can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Association. “What are Personality Disorders?” Retrieved from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders. Accessed on October 31, 2024.
- American Psychological Association. “What causes personality disorders?” Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/topics/personality-disorders/causes. Accessed on October 31, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Personality Disorders.” Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9636-personality-disorders-overview. Accessed on October 31, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. “Personality Disorders.” Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463. Accessed on October 31, 2024.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “Borderline Personality Disorder.” Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder. Accessed on October 31, 2024.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “Personality Disorders.” Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/personality-disorders. Accessed on October 31, 2024.