Therapy for Personality Disorders

Understanding Personality Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment in Palm Beach

What are Personal Disorders, and How Do They Affect Your Life?

Personality disorders significantly impact your life and relationships.

Learn more about personality disorder symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment in West Palm Beach.

Personality disorders are characterized by internal experiences and behaviors that deviate from societal norms, leading to significant impairment in emotional and mental well-being. These disorders can have a profound impact on relationships, careers, and overall quality of life.

Personality disorders are grouped into 3 categories or clusters.

Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd and eccentric thinking and behavior and include:

• Paranoid personality disorder: People with paranoid personality disorder often have a distrust and suspiciousness of others.
• Schizoid personality disorder: People with schizoid personality disorder have a detached or withdrawn personality.
• Schizotypal personality disorder: People with schizotypal personality disorder present as odd and may seem indifferent to others.

Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic thinking and behavior and include:

• Borderline personality disorder: People with borderline personality disorder often have unstable emotions and relationships.
• Histrionic personality disorder: People with histrionic personality disorder often seek attention and admiration.
• Antisocial personality disorder: People with antisocial personality disorder often have a disregard for others.

Cluster C personality disorders are characterized by anxious or fearful thinking and behavior and include:

• Avoidant personality disorder: People with avoidant personality disorder have an intense fear of rejection and avoid social interaction.
• Dependent personality disorder:  People with dependent personality disorder have a need to be taken care of and have difficulty making decisions.
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder have a need for order and control. This is different from Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which involves intrusive obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

If you think you may have a personality disorder, it is important to see a licensed counselor. Personality disorders should only be diagnosed by a therapist or doctor. A therapist can help you understand and manage your symptoms to live a fulfilling life. 

Who Do Personality Disorders Affect?

Key factors that may contribute to developing a personality disorder include: 

• Trauma history
• Genetics
• Family history
• Brain chemistry

Although anyone can develop a personality disorder, regardless of age, gender, or race, some people are at a higher risk. 

The Psychological Impact of Personality Disorders

Symptoms of personality disorders include:

• Difficulty with interpersonal relationships
• Impaired self-image
• Low self-esteem
• Intense emotions and behaviors
• Mood swings
• Difficulty maintaining a job
• Decreased overall sense of well-being
• Substance use (substance abuse)
• Self-harm

If you think you have a personality disorder, talk to a clinician. Most personality disorders cannot be treated with medication and require therapy. 

What to Expect in Personality Disorder Therapy Sessions

Personality disorders can have a profound effect on your relationships, career, and overall quality of life.

Discover how therapy can help you manage symptoms and improve your well-being.

Diagnosing Personality Disorders

Your therapist will assess your symptoms, behavior, and history to determine if you have a personality disorder.

Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable discussing any topic with your therapist, you can let them know. Your therapist may also use assessment tools and questionnaires to diagnose a personality disorder.

Over time, you will meet with your therapist either at our West Palm Beach office near you or virtually and become more comfortable with the treatment process. Remember, it is okay to take it slow.

Each time you attend a session, you show yourself that your mental health matters.

Initial Assessment

During your first meeting with your counselor, they will ask some questions to gather information about your symptoms and history.

During this time, you can discuss the best treatment approach. Your therapist may give you several recommendations and help you choose the best option for you.

Individual Therapy Sessions

In follow-up sessions, you will collaborate with the best personality disorder therapist in West Palm Beach to work toward achieving your goals. During this time, you can identify the root causes of your symptoms and develop effective coping mechanisms.

Group Therapy

Group therapy offers a chance to connect with others who share similar experiences. This setting promotes mutual learning, support, camaraderie, and understanding.

Family Therapy

Family involvement in therapy can positively impact family dynamics affected by personality disorders. Family counseling promotes better communication, fostering understanding, and strengthening family relationships.

West Palm Beach Personality Disorder Therapy: Find Expert Care Near You

Treatment of personality disorders includes:

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Learn mindfulness skills to manage emotions and learn distress tolerance.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT therapy for personality disorders helps you identify and reframe negative core beliefs and thoughts that lead to negative emotions.
• Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy for personality disorders helps you identify and heal the unresolved childhood trauma or suppressed emotions that led to personality disorder symptoms. By understanding the root cause of your symptoms, you can decrease past experiences’ impact on your life today.

DBT is the most commonly used therapy for personality disorders. Through DBT therapy, you can learn to manage your emotions, allowing yourself to feel and experience without reacting to the feelings.

DBT can give you skills to improve your interpersonal relationships by respecting your feelings and promoting logical thoughts to increase healthy communication.

In combination with therapy, building a strong support system and practicing self-care can help you overcome personality disorder challenges.

When working with clients who have personality disorders, I approach the treatment from a trauma-informed lens. This means, I believe that the symptoms the individual is exhibiting are caused by past hurt. We process these experiences in session while practicing mindfulness skills and emotional regulation.

Your feelings are valid, and you deserve a safe space to process and express them. Although these symptoms may have been a protective coping skill at some point, they may also be negatively impacting your life.

With this compassionate approach, I help my clients see that their past experiences and current symptoms are not their fault. However, I believe everyone can heal and find fulfillment in life when given the proper tools. Throughout our therapy sessions, we find what works for each individual and process the past to create a brighter future.

I had a client, Susie, who, due to intense bullying in middle school, believed that people did not like her and wanted to hurt her. She displayed BPD symptoms such as intense and extreme emotional responses, instability in her relationships, and patterns of behavior that were harmful to her well-being.

After identifying the source of the negative belief, she could begin reframing her thoughts. With distress tolerance training, she is now able to handle big emotions with grace.

Today, she believes she is worthy of love and has a support system of friends with whom she trusts and can be herself. If you’re ready to take the first step towards healing, I’m here to support you.

Benefits of Therapy

Personality disorder symptoms are difficult to manage on your own. Personality disorders are long-lasting impairments in thought processes and behaviors. It is important to note that the severity of impairments may vary depending on the disorder and individual.

If you are living with a personality disorder, it is possible to find relief from your symptoms and change the thinking patterns that are controlling your life.

With the help of an experienced counselor, you can:

• Understand your symptoms
• Learn to cope
• Improve your self-esteem
• Improve your interpersonal relationships

In therapy, you will learn coping skills to manage your feelings of emptiness, fear of abandonment, and other negative thoughts.

According to an article published in Pubmed, “psychotherapy is an effective treatment for personality disorders and may be associated with up to a sevenfold faster rate of recovery in comparison with the natural history of disorders.”

The exact rate of your recovery depends on:

• Your willingness to change
• Therapist’s expertise
• The severity of your disorder

Therapy offers the opportunity to transform one’s life and experience healing. The focus is on progress, and even the smallest steps forward are remarkable. 

Finding a Personality Disorder Therapist in Palm Beach, FL

Finding the right therapist involves research, recommendations, and attending sessions.

Our experienced therapists specialize in personality disorder treatment in the Palm Beaches. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.

Ready to start feeling better? Contact the Trauma Therapy Center in West Palm Beach today for a free consultation and learn how our experienced therapists can help you manage your personality disorder symptoms. Call us or book online today.

Sources:

Pubmed: Effectiveness of psychotherapy for personality disorders