We all have a unique personality that is a defining part of who we are. The way we think, feel, behave, and interact with the world encompasses our personality. 

When features of your personality cause significant challenges with how you relate to yourself and others, and cause difficulty with day-to-day coping, you may be diagnosed with a personality disorder. 

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that over 9% of the US population, approximately 23 million Americans, have been diagnosed with a personality disorder in their lifetime. 

People with personality disorders can live meaningful, authentic, and balanced lives with professional support and the right combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Our therapists trained in personality disorders in Massachusetts are here to support you.

To learn more about what personality disorders are, including the different types of personality disorders, and how you can receive support from a trained mental health professional, please read on. 

To start working with one of our trained therapists for personality disorders  online in Massachusetts or in-person from our offices in Amherst, Franklin, West Springfield, Wilbraham, and Natick, contact us today at (413) 343-4357.

What are Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions defined by inflexible and atypical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. 

A personality disorder affects at least two of these areas of a person’s life: 

• Ways of thinking about oneself and others
• Ways of responding emotionally
• Ways of relating to other people
• Ways of controlling one’s behavior

If you have a personality disorder, you may struggle relating to others and handling everyday problems in the ways that are expected by your peers or cultural group. You may view the world in a way that differs signifigantly from others, and as a result, may find it difficult to participate in social activities.  

“Someone with a personality disorder may be unable to manage their emotions either by being easily overwhelmed by their emotions or avoiding their emotions. They may have distorted beliefs such as being hurt or rejected by others. As a result, they may struggle to maintain healthy relationships because of their inability to manage their emotions and distorted beliefs.”

-Lindsay Thompson, Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Handel Behavioral Health 

These behaviors and attitudes may often result in challenges and limitations in relationships, social settings, work, and school settings. You may find yourself feeling isolated, distressed, anxious, or depressed as a result.

What are the Different Types of Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders come in several forms. They’re grouped into three clusters based on similar experiences and traits. Some people with personality disorders may experience signs and traits of multiple personality disorders. 

Cluster A: Suspicious

People with cluster A disorders often experience disturbances in their relationships because their behavior can be perceived as detached, peculiar, or suspicious. 

1. Paranoid personality disorder: Chronic, pervasive distrust of other people; suspicion of being deceived by others, including friends, family, and partners. 
2. Schizoid personality disorder: Social isolation and indifference toward other people; cold or withdrawn behaviors, rarely having close relationships with other people, and preoccupied with fantasy. 
3. Schizotypal personality disorder: Odd speech, behavior, and appearance; strange beliefs and difficulty forming close relationships. 

Cluster B: Emotional and Impulsive

People with cluster B personality disorders tend to experience extreme emotions or engage in impulsive, theatrical, promiscuous, or law-breaking behaviors. 

1. Antisocial personality disorder: Disregard for rules, social norms, and lack of remorse for other people. Typically shows up in early childhood. 
2. Borderline personality disorder: Instability in interpersonal relationships, emotions, self-image, and impulsive behaviors. 
3. Histrionic personality disorder: Excessive emotionality and attention seeking that leads to socially inappropriate behavior in order to get attention. 
4. Narcissistic personality disorder: Self-centeredness, exaggerated self-image, and lack of empathy for others; motivated by a fragility in the sense of self.
   

Cluster C: Anxious 

People with cluster C personality disorders tend to experience extreme and pervasive anxiety and/or fearfulness; introverted, anxious, and fearful personalities. 

1. Avoidant personality disorder: Social inhibition and avoidance motivated by fears of inadequacy and criticism by others. 
2. Dependent personality disorder: Fear of being alone; often causes those who have the disorder to get other people to take care of them.
3. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: Preoccupation with orderliness, perfection, and control of relationships.

What Causes Personality Disorders?

The cause of personality disorders is unknown. Research suggests that genetics, environmental factors, and most primarily, trauma all contribute to personality disorders. 

Personality disorders typically develop in teenage years, when the personality further develops and matures. While the symptoms vary, people might develop personality disorders as a way of coping with painful or uncomfortable situations experienced in childhood. 

For example, a teenager might have experienced parental neglect or abuse as a child, and start to withdraw from social situations as a way to cope with their fear, pain, and anxiety, causing them to develop a personality disorder.

How is a Personality Disorder Diagnosed?

Doctors and trained mental health professionals refer to The Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help diagnose mental health conditions, such as personality disorders. Each personality disorder has criteria that must be met for a diagnosis. 

Your primary care physician or mental health professional will ask you questions based on the following criteria to determine the type of personality disorder.

A personality disorder may exist if you experience significant distress and impairment in the at least two of the following areas: 

• the way you perceive or interpret yourself and other people
• the way you act when dealing with other people
• the appropriateness of your emotional responses
• how well you can control your impulses

How is a Personality Disorder Treated with Therapy?

Personality disorders can be treated with an appropriate combination of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. 

“My goal as a therapist is to help improve my clients’ life satisfaction in all areas of their life, from work to personal relationships. We work together to find healthy coping strategies, reduce their everyday distress, and find balance in life.”

– Lindsay Thompson, LMHC at HBH Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT helps you develop new tools and skills to manage your emotions and behaviors. Mindfulness is central to DBT treatment. You will learn how to practice mindfulness and bring awareness to your thoughts, feelings, thoughts, sensations, and impulses to turn inward to your present experience. 

Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT): MBT helps you recognize and understand what you think and feel, and how others might think and feel. MBT also helps you understand how your thoughts and feelings can affect your behaviors. 

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT): CAT, similar to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helps you identify patterns of thought, emotions, and behaviors that cause problems in your life. You will start to recognize and understand where you may have learnt these patterns from your early life experiences. You will look at which patterns are serving you and which are not. You will find new ways to prevent negative feelings or experiences. 

Medications: While there aren’t any medications approved for treatment of personality disorders, the following types of medications can be helpful in reducing various personality disorder symptoms: 

• Antidepressants: can improve a depressed mood, anger, or impulsively 
• Mood stabilizers: can prevent intense mood changes and reduce irritability 
• Antipsychotic medications: can reduce symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations and delusions
• Anti-anxiety medications: can relieve anxiety, agitation, and insomnia 

Your doctor, Psychiatrist, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner will give you information about any medications you are prescribed. Your provider will work with you to create a medication management plan and you will have regular check-ups to review your medications.

Start Working with a Therapist for Personality Disorders in Massachusetts Today:

Many of our therapists are trained in treating personality disorders in Massachusetts. You will find highly professional and compassionate care for your personality disorder when working with one of our therapists.

Our therapists are here to work with you in-person from our offices in Amherst, Wilbraham, West Springfield, Franklin, Natick, and online throughout Massachusetts. 

To begin your path of healing and recovery, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

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