Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are a group of mental health disorders that involve long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors. These patterns typically evolve during adolescence or early adulthood and affect multiple areas of life, including relationships, work, and overall functioning often require specialized mental health treatment to help individuals lead fulfilling lives. In Massachusetts, 1,155,000 adults have a mental health condition, which is six times the population of Worcester. This means that many people are suffering and unsure of where to turn. Fortunately, East Point Behavioral Health in Massachusetts is here to provide quality, individualized care to residents experiencing personality disorders statewide.

Personality Disorders

Do You Qualify for Mental Health Treatment in Massachusetts?

East Point Behavioral Health provides specialized mental health care in Massachusetts for adults aged 18 and older. While we do not specialize in substance use disorders (SUD), we address co-occurring conditions and can connect you with trusted SUD treatment referrals if needed. Our mission is to remove barriers to mental health care by offering immediate intervention and prompt access to treatment. Contact us today to start your journey toward mental wellness!

What Is A Personality Disorder?

Your personality is your own way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and relating to others. Once you become an adult, your personality is generally set and won’t change much. When you have a personality disorder, the thoughts and behaviors you have are unhealthy and inflexible. This can cause serious problems at work, in your relationships, and during social activities. Having a personality disorder also makes it difficult to manage everyday stress and challenges.

There are 10 types of personality disorders, which are grouped into three different categories called clusters:

Cluster A personality disorders involve unusual and odd thoughts and behaviors. They include paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.
Cluster B personality disorders cause intense emotions and impulsive behaviors. This makes it difficult to maintain stable relationships. Cluster B disorders include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder.
Cluster C personality disorders cause anxiety and fear, leading to behaviors focused on avoiding social or personal discomfort. Disorders include avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD).

Who Is Most Likely to Be Affected by Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders can affect people from all walks of life. These disorders typically emerge during adolescence or early adulthood, though they can sometimes be seen in childhood. Personality disorders are relatively common and vary in type and severity. Some people may be at a higher risk for developing these disorders based on their genetics, family history, and environmental and childhood influences. Additionally, these disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.

Symptoms of Personality Disorder

The symptoms of personality disorders vary widely depending on the specific type of disorder, but all personality disorders involve enduring patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions that deviate from cultural expectations. Some of the general symptoms to be aware of in individuals who may require mental health treatment or behavioral therapy for personality disorders include:

Inflexible and rigid behavior
Problems with relationships
Distorted thinking patterns
Difficulty with self-image and identity
Emotional instability

Treating Personality Disorder in Massachusetts

Because there are many different personality disorders, there are also many ways to treat them. At East Point Behavioral Health, we work closely with our clients to understand their symptoms and what treatments will help them meet their goals. With the right combination of behavioral therapy approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), it is entirely possible to recover from a personality disorder and lead a fulfilling life. Here’s more on these proven, effective treatment options:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT works by helping individuals become aware of rigid, maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors and replacing them with healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking and acting. CBT also teaches skills for recognizing and controlling emotions, improving social skills, and teaching constructive ways to deal with stress, disappointment, and challenging situations.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT was specifically designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) and is widely recognized as an effective approach in borderline personality disorder treatment. Additionally, it can be used to treat other mental health conditions requiring targeted therapies. Grounded in the principles of acceptance and change, DBT mixes CBT techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies. This gives people the skills they need to reduce self-harm, regulate emotions, and develop interpersonal effectiveness.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is an important part of the healing process, as it brings families together to better understand their loved one’s condition and how to best support them. Personality disorders can have a huge impact on relationships, and these connections can be difficult to repair without the right support. In family therapy, you will work on improving communication, setting boundaries, and resolving conflict.

Medication Management

Medication should always be left to the professionals. Some people attempt to self-medicate to ease their symptoms, but this is a dangerous slope that can lead to substance use disorders. East Point Behavioral Health offers medication management where we will monitor the medications you are on. When combined with talk therapy, medication can be helpful in managing symptoms so that you can focus on learning new skills and coping strategies.

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS) for Personality Disorder Treatment

Since personality disorders are complex and require various types of interventions, including borderline personality disorder treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mental health treatment, choosing IOS is an effective choice. With this type of program, you can access all of the treatment services you need in a seamless manner, as well as have one team oversee your care. The benefits to expect include:

Flexibility

IOS is done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can live at home where you are comfortable and surrounded by your favorite things and people. This is a better arrangement for many individuals, particularly those who want to continue working, going to school, or taking care of their households. East Point Behavioral Health has flexible session times that will work with your schedule. We also get most individuals into our program within a day or two.

Empowering People

Recovering from a personality disorder is made easier when you feel in control of your destiny. IOS gives individuals with personality disorders a number of choices so that they can take ownership and responsibility for their recovery. This includes the types of therapies you participate in, the topics you discuss, and the times of your sessions. We find that when people feel empowered, they have an easier time recognizing their abilities, increasing self confidence, and believing in their capacity to succeed.

Maintaining Daily Life Routines

Another benefit of IOS is that it allows individuals to carry on with their normal routine. This seamlessness makes a big difference in helping people feel in control of their day and their recovery from personality disorder. Being able to continue with your regular responsibilities also gives you the opportunity to practice the skills you’re learning in everyday situations.

Comprehensive Care

The care you receive at East Point Behavioral Health is as comprehensive as it gets. You will receive a full assessment, a complete diagnosis, and a thorough treatment plan that can be modified as you move through your various treatment goals. While each treatment regimen is unique, you can expect a combination of evidence-based treatments and holistic therapies to support your mental, physical, and emotional health.

Personality Disorder Treatment in Massachusetts

Living with a personality disorder is not easy, and it can wreak havoc on your life if you don’t seek help. At East Point Behavioral Health, we specialize in providing evidence-based behavioral therapy and mental health treatments to help you take back control of your life. Find comfort in knowing that personality disorders are treatable, and with the right guidance, you can repair your relationships and lead life with a more balanced mindset.

To start your journey to recovery, contact East Point Behavioral Health today. No matter what your symptoms are, we can help get them under control so that you can live the life you deserve.