How to Treat a Personality Disorder

A personality disorder is a class of psychiatric conditions, but there are many different types of personality disorders. If you suspect that you may have a personality disorder, start your treatment by seeking help, such as by talking with a trusted loved one, a doctor, or a therapist. Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment, but it’s often combined with medication. Although there’s no specific medication that treats personality disorders, there are medications that can help to treat the symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. You may also benefit from self-help strategies, such as journaling, exercising, and using relaxation techniques.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Seeking Help

1
Confide in a trustworthy friend or family member. If you think you might have a personality disorder, a good first step might be to tell someone about what you’ve been going through. Choose someone you trust and feel comfortable sharing with about personal matters. Avoid telling anyone who tends to be critical or unsupportive of you.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source}
- For example, you might talk with your best friend, a sibling you feel close to, the pastor at your church, or a parent or grandparent.
- Even simply talking with family and friends on a regular basis may be helpful for your condition, so try to stay in touch. For example, you might set up a weekly lunch with a close friend or arrange to have a family dinner on the weekend.^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Make an appointment with a doctor for a diagnosis. Personality disorders have specific criteria in the psychiatric handbook known as the DSM-5. Your doctor will likely compare your symptoms to the ones listed in the DSM-5 to help them identify the type of personality disorder you may have. However, you may also want to seek the help of a psychiatrist, which is a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatric care.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceHelpGuideNonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.Go to source} Be aware that there are many different types of personality disorders, and it’s important to get a diagnosis and treatment that is tailored to you.^{[4]XExpert SourcePadam Bhatia, MD
Board Certified PsychiatristExpert Interview. 3 April 2020.} Some of the different personality disorders include:^{[5]XResearch source}
- Antisocial
- Avoidant
- Borderline
- Dependent
- Histrionic
- Narcissistic
- Obsessive-compulsive
- Paranoid
- Schizoid
- Schizotypal
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3
Find a therapist who has experience treating personality disorders. Once you have an initial diagnosis from a general practitioner or psychiatrist, find a therapist who you can begin meeting with on a regular basis. Psychotherapy is a crucial part of treatment for any personality disorder, do it’s important to find someone you trust and who is experienced at treating people with personality disorders.^{[6]XResearch source}
- During your sessions, you’ll share about thoughts and emotions and the therapist will help you to develop new tools for managing your emotions and stopping unwanted thoughts and behaviors.
- There are several different types of therapy styles and the type your therapist uses will depend on their training and your needs. Some of the types include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral, mentalization-based, schema-focused, dynamic, and cognitive-analytical therapy.
4
Ask your doctor about medications to manage your symptoms. Personality disorders can cause a wide range of symptoms from sadness to irritability to anxiety. Tell your doctor about any emotional symptoms you’re having. This will help them to recommend the best medication for you. Some medications your doctor may suggest include:^{[7]XResearch source}
- Antidepressants to manage feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anger
- Mood stabilizers to help with irritability, impulsiveness, and aggression
- Antipsychotics if you’re losing touch with reality
- Sedatives or anti-anxiety medications for help with insomnia, agitation, and anxiety
Tip: Medication works best when used in combination with psychotherapy. Avoid using medication as your only treatment method.^{[8]XResearch source}
5
Find a support group to meet other people with similar experiences. Regularly meeting and talking with people who have had similar experiences and who are also being treated for a personality disorder may be helpful. It can make you feel less alone and offer perspective on your situation. You may also learn new tools and strategies from other people during the meetings. Ask your doctor or therapist for a referral to a support group in your area.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If there are no groups in your area, look into an online support group or forum.
6
Ask about in-patient programs for severe symptoms. If your symptoms are so severe that you’re finding it hard to function, you may benefit from an in-patient program at a local hospital. Talk with your doctor if you think this may be beneficial for you.
- Be aware that this is usually only necessary if you’re a danger to yourself or other people. Getting treatment in a hospital setting is a way to keep yourself and others safe while you recover.
Warning: Call emergency services immediately if you’re having suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming someone else, such as by dialing 911 in the United States.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceHelpGuideNonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.Go to source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Self-Help Strategies

1
Learn as much as you can about your condition. Read all about your personality disorder once you get a diagnosis. This will help you to understand it better and begin to identify the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that you’d like to change through therapy. Ask your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist for resources. You can also look into books, articles, and trustworthy websites for information on your condition.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Government websites are often trustworthy sources of information for personality disorders. For example, you could consult the National Institute of Mental Health for information on your personality disorder.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceNational Institute of Mental HealthInformational website from U.S. government focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness.Go to source}
2
Write in a journal daily to express your emotions. Taking 15 minutes every day to write about how you’re feeling may be therapeutic. Allow yourself to write about whatever is on your mind. Don’t censor yourself or set your expectations too high. Just write about whatever you’re thinking about.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
- For example, if you had a bad day, write about it! What happened that made it bad and how did you cope with your emotions? What did you do that worked well? What would you like to have done different?
- If you can’t think of anything to write about from your day, you might use the journaling time to reflect on a childhood memory, write about your goals for the future, or even just write something creative like a short story or poem.
3
Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Exercise is a great way to regulate you mood naturally. Try taking a walk or bike ride in nature once per day. Enroll in an aerobics class that meets a few times per week. Or, engage in an active hobby, such as playing basketball, hiking, or climbing.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Make sure to choose a form of exercise that you enjoy. This will help to increase the chances that you’ll stick with it.
- If you can't fit in a full 30 minutes at one time, try splitting your exercise up into 2-3 sessions throughout the day. For example, you could take three 10 minute walks each day or do two 15 minute workout videos.
4
Use relaxation techniques to manage stress. Feeling stressed can intensify negative emotions, so you may benefit from a daily relaxation session. Try setting aside at least 15 minutes per day to relax. Do something that you enjoy and that helps you to feel calm. Some strategies you might try include:^{[15]XResearch source}
- Deep breathing
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation
While it might seem like alcohol and drugs help you to feel better, the relief you might experience is only temporary and you may end up feeling even worse after the substance wears off. If you find yourself turning to drugs or alcohol for relief from your emotions, talk with your doctor. They can provide you with resources and help to stop using the substance if you’re unable to quit on your own.^{[16]XResearch source}
Warning: Psychiatric medications often interact with alcohol and illicit drugs. Avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs while taking a prescription medication. If you regularly use alcohol or drugs, tell your doctor before you begin taking a new medication.
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