What is a Clinical Personality Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), personality disorders occur when a person’s patterns of thinking and behaving significantly deviate from cultural expectations. Those ingrained traits, and the warped perceptions they create, can have a severe impact on daily functioning: Patients often experience chronic relationship issues, act impulsively, and suffer extreme feelings of abandonment or misunderstanding.
Drawing from the DSM-5-TR, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) specifies 10 different personality disorders:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
They’re also quite prevalent. The NIMH’s past-year data shows that just over 9% of Americans experienced a personality disorder — and more than 84% of those individuals were also diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health condition.
Signs of a Personality Disorder
Drawing from the DSM-5-TR, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) specifies 10 different personality disorders, ranging from schizoid and paranoid to histrionic and narcissistic. However, while each is different, they all share some key symptoms.
Emotional
Indicators
Personality disorders are typified by rapid shifts in mood and emotional inflexibility. For some, that might mean chronic feelings of emptiness; for others, that might manifest as impulsivity or anger that’s difficult to control.
Interpersonal
Struggles
Per the APA, personality disorders make it difficult to interact with people. Depending on the specific condition, that can come across as extreme sensitivity to criticism; paranoia when stressed; or cycling between idealizing and demonizing others.
Borderline Personality
Disorder (BPD)
One of the most-diagnosed personality disorders, BPD especially impacts a person’s relationships. Harvard Health notes how the condition creates a deep fear of abandonment, as well as poor self-image and a feeling of emptiness. BPD might even cause psychotic-like symptoms in people when they’re stressed — but it can be managed with relational and identity therapy in San Diego and beyond.
The Apex Recovery Approach to Personality Disorder Treatment
At our San Diego outpatient mental health center, each of our personalized personality disorder recovery plans begins with a comprehensive, judgment-free intake call. After chatting with one of our expert professionals, we’ll put together a care regimen that’ll help you achieve your treatment goals and set you up for long-term wellness.
And you can rest assured knowing that, alongside holistic mental health practices for personality disorders, we exclusively use evidence-based therapies for complex trauma. Together, both methodologies work to enhance patient outcomes; with real-world practice built into our outpatient care model, you’ll have the chance to sharpen your skills at the end of every day.
“Am I dealing with a personality disorder?”
That’s a perfectly normal question to ask yourself. If you’re comparing San Diego personality disorder rehab programs, be sure to give us a call. One of our experts will help you take the first steps toward healing.
How Does Personality Disorder Affect a Person?
From physical damage to emotional wounds, personality disorders can have real, and potentially lasting, effects on a person. And that further underlines why patient-based care anchors our philosophy. Genuine healing takes personalized, persistent support, and anything less — or fixed to a strict timeline — isn’t good enough.
Personally
Personality disorders are exhausting — both for the patient and their loved ones. They also test the trust of all involved: One moment, a person might cling to their significant other; the next, they may push them away or fly into a rage.
Medically
Along with high levels of cortisol and insomnia, personality disorders often lead to co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Other mental health conditions typically present themselves, too — highlighting the need for thorough dual-diagnosis care.
What Others are Saying About Apex Recovery
These folks sought help at our San Diego personality disorder treatment center — and their testimonials offer insight into how we do things.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personality Disorders
Absolutely. Most successful care plans use a combination of evidence-based treatments and medication, and don’t require overnight stays at a facility. We’re just one example of an organization providing outpatient personality disorder therapy in San Diego.
Mood disorders, like bipolar disorder, are typically episodic and impact a person’s emotions. On the other hand, personality disorders — like BPD — are marked by enduring behaviors that affect a person’s relationships. They aren’t mutually exclusive, either; it may be necessary to seek BPD and dual-diagnosis treatment near you.
It isn’t restricted to inpatient or outpatient care. It works effectively in both — but outpatient Dialectical Behavior Therapy for BDP in San Diego gives patients a chance to put their newly learned skills to the test in day-to-day scenarios.
Start Your Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment in San Diego
With a simple phone call, you can start your journey to better mental health. We’d be happy to help you on the way.
Talk to an Expert Today