Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that causes people to have difficulty relating to others. They often have a poor sense of self and struggle with relationships, work, school and social situations. People with personality disorders are often unaware that they have a mental health condition. Personality disorders can hijack your relationships and self-worth, making relationships challenging for loved ones.
Dual diagnosis issues like substance use disorder may compound your problems. The Promises P.A.T.H. outpatient mental health treatment programs help you get to the root causes of these difficulties. We can help you repair your relationships and learn a better way of life.
What Is Treatment of Personality Disorders Like?
Our Promises P.A.T.H. mental health experts are trained to treat a range of personality disorders and dual diagnosis issues. People with personality disorders often struggle with addiction, eating disorders, and intimacy disorders. Promises P.A.T.H. outpatient mental health treatment works to help you address the challenges of a personality disorder diagnosis.
Our treatment plans include therapies that target your specific needs. A blend of medications and therapy can sometimes be a useful option. The first step of personality disorder treatment is to assess your psychological needs. We’ll determine which personality disorder(s) you have by conducting a thorough diagnostic assessment. For example, you may be evaluated for some of the following:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
We follow specific diagnostic criteria. Then we adapt your treatment plan according to your needs. For example, a person with borderline personality will need treatments for BPD. These may include dialectical behavior therapy. Treatment of personality disorders will vary based on your diagnosis. We also diagnose and treat dual diagnosis mental illness and addiction.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Personality disorders often co-occur with addiction and mental illnesses like depression. Personality disorders can fuel these challenges or vice versa. The Promises P.A.T.H. outpatient personality disorder treatment includes comprehensive care for the range of issues you’re experiencing. We provide drug and alcohol detox as necessary. Addiction experts will help you recover from substance use disorders and our psychiatric team will help you understand your mental disorder’s core. We’ll help you get “unstuck” from the cycle of destructive behaviors and thought patterns.
Effective Treatments for Personality Disorders
Personality disorders each have distinguishing characteristics. They also have a lot of overlapping symptoms. Much of the research focuses on borderline personality disorder treatment. Many treatments for borderline personality disorder are also useful for other personality disorders. Personality disorder treatment options may include:
Individual Therapy
You’ll meet one-on-one with a therapist. This gives you a chance to dig into the causes of your emotional pain and behavior responses. Our therapists may draw on approaches such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Interpersonal therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an effective treatment for many mental illnesses and substance use disorder recovery. CBT helps people to recognize dysfunctional thought patterns. They learn ways to manage or replace these thoughts with more accurate and useful ones. People learn how their thoughts are fueling unhealthy behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder and other mental health disorders. Its origins are in cognitive behavioral therapy, but dialectical behavior therapy focuses more on emotional regulation.
DBT combines CBT and mindfulness principles to help people become aware of intrusive thoughts and intense feelings. They learn to accept them for what they are and not act on them. They also learn to recognize that destructive thoughts and behaviors aren’t working for them. Then, they replace unhealthy responses with healthy coping skills.
Group Therapy
Treatment of personality disorders includes several types of group therapy sessions. You’ll participate in process groups that cover topics like shame, interpersonal issues, and healthy coping skills. Your treatment plan may also include group experiences like psychodrama or group outings.
Group therapy is essential in the treatment of personality disorders. People with personality disorders have trouble with relationships. Group therapy provides a mirror into the way others perceive you. This helps you develop more effective ways of relating to others.
Family Therapy
Interpersonal issues are a vital aspect of many personality disorders. Relationships with loved ones are often strained or complicated. We offer family therapy to help you begin repairing your relationships. You and your loved ones will learn how to communicate better. You’ll address complex, emotional topics with the guidance of trained mental health professionals.
Psychiatric Care
You’ll meet with our psychiatric team. Medication may be used for Axis II personality disorders. Research and clinical trials suggest useful medications for personality disorders include:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Mood stabilizers
In particular, research suggests medications may be effective treatments for people with BPD as well as:
- Schizotypal personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder
It’s important that medications are used in combination with behavioral therapy.
Alternative Approaches
We treat personality disorders from a whole-person approach. At Promises P.A.T.H, treatment options go beyond talk therapy. We offer several alternative therapies. These may include activities like:
- Psychodrama
- Art therapy
- Mindfulness
Continuing Care
You’ll gain healthy coping skills during our outpatient mental health treatment. We’ll also help you plan for life after you complete our program. You’ll continue healing from mental health and substance use disorders with resources in your community. These may include:
- Continued individual therapy
- Sober-living or assisted-living residences
- Couples and family therapy
- Appointments with medical professionals for medication (psychiatric) management
- Support groups like Codependents Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
Live Better With Expert Personality Disorder Treatment
The Promises P.A.T.H. team can help you take back your life and live as your most authentic self. Get compassionate, evidence-based care that will support you as you learn healthy ways to cope with your personality disorder. Contact us today to learn more about our in-person or virtual outpatient mental health treatment. All calls are confidential and free: 888.622.7809