Personality disorders are a type of mental health disorder defined by rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning, and behaving that deviate from the expectations of the culture. This deviation usually causes distress lasting an extended period of time. As a result, personality disorders can be long-lasting without the proper treatment.
Personality disorders can affect the way one thinks of themselves or others, an individual’s emotional response, the way an individual relates to others, and control of one’s behavior. Additionally, personality disorders are troublesome, causing significant problems in relationships, social activities, and work.
Approximately 10-13% of individuals have a personality disorder
Personality disorders are the most common of all psychiatric diagnoses, diagnosed in 40–60% of psychiatric patients.
Between 65-90% of people treated for a substance use disorder have at least one personality disorder.
Traumatic childhood experiences have been recognized as risk factors that may elevate the chances that an individual may develop a personality disorder.
What Does A Personality Disorder Feel Like?
There are many types of personality disorders, some of which become less obvious as one age. In many instances, individuals may not realize that they have a personality disorder because their way of thinking and behavior seems natural to them. Consequently, many individuals blame others for the challenges they face.
Signs of a personality disorder are specific to each disorder but are more likely in individuals with a family history of mental health issues or who have experienced an unstable home environment as a child or were subject to abuse, neglect, or trauma.
Furthermore, several risk factors can make a person more susceptible to developing a personality disorder. While personality disorders do have a hereditary component, personality disorders have been found to arise when something interferes with the development of a healthy personality.
Types Of Personality Disorders
Just under 10% of the American population have a personality disorder. Only a small portion of those individuals receive treatment. The statement “personality disorder” can refer to 10 separate disorders, which are divided into three clusters.
Personality disorder treatment centers offer specific treatment for each of the following personality disorder variants:
Cluster A
People with Cluster A disorders express odd or eccentric behavior. Cluster A disorders are:
Schizoid Personality Disorder: People with schizoid personalities focus more on their feelings and thoughts than the outside world. People with this disorder may seem withdrawn. In addition, they often have a difficult time reading social cues and expressing themselves.
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD): People with this disorder have a hard time trusting other people. As a result, they tend to be highly suspicious to the extent that it disrupts their social life. They may be challenging to get along with as they hold grudges or beliefs even while sometimes completely irrational.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: People with this disorder often have strange beliefs AT is less isolated than the other cluster A personality disorder types. However, they tend to act in unusual and sometimes inappropriate ways.
Cluster B
Experts define Cluster B disorders as the expression of emotional, erratic, or dramatic behavior. Cluster B disorders are:
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): People with borderline personality disorder tend to have highly unstable relationships. Aspects of BPD make it difficult for individual to regulate their mood. Individuals with borderline personality disorder act impulsively and express more risk-taking behavior. Borderline personality treatment often involves simultaneous depression or PTSD treatment, especially for men.
Antisocial Personality Disorder: People with this disorder have a difficult time considering the feelings and safety of others. Additionally, they disregard what is legally or ethically right and wrong. In some cases, people with antisocial personality disorder are manipulative and even violent.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): People with NPD are drawn to the appearance of having power and being successful. They may act in ways that exaggerate their achievements to get attention.
Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD): People with this disorder constantly feel the need to act seductively or provocatively. They often crave attention and will do whatever they can to get it, even if that means risky or dramatic behavior. Correspondingly, most people with diagnosed HPD have low self-esteem, which leads to mood swings and other behavior.
Cluster C
People with Cluster C Disorders typically express a range of fearful and anxious behavior. These disorders are:
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): People with this disorder have a strong need to be in control. They are perfectionists and are obsessed with particular details. People with OCPD often have trouble accepting change due to their desire for rigidity.
Avoidant Personality Disorder: People with avoidant personality disorder feel severe stress throughout each day. The disorder makes it difficult for people to maintain relationships. People with this disorder are highly sensitive to criticism and can even isolate themselves to avoid it.
Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD): People with this disorder have difficulty making decisions without guidance. They are typically dependent on others for reassurance and have a significant fear of being rejected. This can make it difficult for people with DPD to keep healthy relationships as they may act in unnatural ways to avoid being left alone.
Where Do I Go If I Have A Personality Disorder?
Mental health issues, such as personality disorders, often require specialized care. Your primary doctor can refer you to a mental health professional who can offer professional treatment at a personality disorder treatment center.
Furthermore, if you think you are dealing with a personality disorder, there is no downside to seeking help – even if it is just for an evaluation. Following an evaluation, your mental health professional will guide you through the steps that best fit your needs.
Personality disorder treatment was not common years ago. But today, you can find personality disorder treatment centers that offer life-changing individualized treatment, even in a residential treatment setting.
What Specific Conditions Does Lido Wellness Center Treat?
Personality disorders usually begin in the teenage years or early adulthood. The most common personality disorders that Lido Wellness Center treats are as follows:
Borderline Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
What Is The Proper Treatment If Someone Has A Personality Disorder?
Lido Wellness Center practitioners incorporate evidence-based interventions to support patients that may present with behaviors and symptoms consistent with personality disorders. These include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This form of psychotherapy helps individuals focus on changing cognitive patterns that lead to harmful behaviors. CBT sessions involve a one-on-one session with a therapist and their patient. The therapist helps guide their patient to recognize unhealthy habits and turn them into healthier ones.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: This form of therapy is similar to CBT. However, DBT places a larger focus on mindfulness. Mindfulness helps individuals regulate their moods. By practicing mindfulness and healthy mood regulation, patients begin to handle difficult situations better.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: ACT is an innovative treatment. This form of therapy can be helpful for people who do not respond to other treatments. Similar to DBT, ACT focuses on mindfulness. Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people recognize that their attempts to control their emotional experiences lead to challenges. Through ACT, patients learn to address these challenges through acceptance.
Do Personality Disorders Get Worse With Age?
It is vital not to get discouraged by a potential mental health disorder. Similar to most mental health disorders, with treatment, personality disorders can get better and easier to manage as the individual ages. Some experts believe that youth personality disorders are more difficult to handle. As individual ages, they get a better understanding of the role that mental health plays in their life.
Mental health tends to decline in old age. This is the case if the person has a diagnosed mental health disorder, or not. In some cases, personality disorders can become worse as the individual becomes elderly. However, as mentioned, it’s essential not to be discouraged. With proper treatment, many personality disorders do not need to have a devastating impact on an individual’s quality of life.
Can You Get Rid Of A Personality Disorder?
No cure changes personalities. Instead, personality disorder treatment can drastically improve your quality of life. For instance, Lido Wellness Center offers evidence-based treatments that will help you gain a better understanding of how your personality works. With a better understanding, you will recognize your behavior and how it impacts you and the people around you.
Treatment can help you understand what you are capable of changing. Additionally, successful treatment will allow you to build strong relationships and live a more healthy and fulfilling life.
Find Help At Personality Disorder Treatment Centers Like Lido Wellness Center
Lido Wellness is a premier outpatient mental health facility in Newport Beach, California. In addition, we specialize in the treatment of many mental health issues, including personality disorders. If you or a loved one are dealing with issues regarding mental health, we can help. We can tell you more about how we can help you treat personality disorders to help you get your life back. Recovery is just a phone call away.
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