Therapy for Personality Disorders

Understanding Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are typically categorized into three clusters:

• Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behaviors, which include conditions like Paranoid Personality Disorder and Schizoid Personality Disorder.
• Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors, which include Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder.
• Cluster C: Anxious or fearful behaviors, which include Avoidant Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.

Each personality disorder presents unique challenges, but they all involve patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are rigid and often lead to difficulties in personal and professional life. These patterns typically develop in adolescence or early adulthood and persist over time.

Recognizing the Signs of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders often go unnoticed because the symptoms are deeply ingrained in an individual’s sense of self and their interactions with others. Common signs include:

• Persistent difficulties in maintaining relationships due to erratic, unpredictable, or overly dependent behaviors
• Difficulty managing emotions, leading to frequent mood swings, intense anger, or impulsivity
• A distorted sense of self or low self-esteem, often accompanied by extreme self-criticism or grandiosity
• Rigid thinking patterns, with a tendency to view situations or people as “all good” or “all bad”
• Engaging in risky or harmful behaviors without regard for the consequences
• Feeling disconnected from reality or experiencing paranoia, especially under stress

If these patterns disrupt daily life or cause significant distress, it may be helpful to seek a professional evaluation.

Effective Therapies for Personality Disorders

At Kona Counseling, we offer several evidence-based therapies to help individuals with personality disorders develop healthier thought patterns and behaviors. The right treatment can provide individuals with the tools they need to manage symptoms and improve their relationships and well-being.

1. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is particularly effective for treating Borderline Personality Disorder and other personality disorders that involve intense emotions and impulsive behaviors. It focuses on teaching skills for emotional regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Research shows that DBT can reduce self-harm, improve emotional regulation, and help individuals build more stable relationships.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals with personality disorders challenge and reframe negative or distorted thought patterns. This therapy is effective in managing symptoms of disorders such as Avoidant Personality Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful behaviors and replacing them with more adaptive strategies.
3. Schema Therapy: Schema therapy is a form of therapy that integrates elements of CBT and psychoanalytic models. It is particularly helpful for individuals with longstanding patterns of dysfunctional behavior and thought. It helps individuals identify and heal maladaptive schemas (core beliefs about oneself) formed early in life.
4. Medication: While there is no specific medication to treat personality disorders, medications such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be prescribed to help manage co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression.

Support for Individuals with Personality Disorders

At Kona Counseling, we offer personalized, evidence-based treatments for individuals with personality disorders. Our goal is to provide compassionate, effective care that helps individuals develop healthier relationships, manage their symptoms, and live more balanced lives. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support you or your loved one.