Personality Disorders

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Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are mental health conditions characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate markedly from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment in functioning. They usually start to present around adolescence or early adulthood.  

The causes of personality disorders aren’t yet fully known, however, both genetic factors and environmental experiences, such as your relationship with family and friends, and events you experienced in your childhood, are believed to play a role. 

At Sage Clinics, we take a compassionate and evidence-based approach to treating personality disorders, as we understand that living with a personality disorder can present unique challenges.  

There are several types of personality disorders, each with its own specific symptoms and diagnostic criteria. They are typically grouped into three clusters (DSM-IV) based on similar characteristics and symptom patterns, which help in understanding and categorizing these disorders for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Each cluster represents a distinct set of personality traits and behaviors, although there can be overlaps between clusters, and an individual may exhibit traits from more than one cluster. 

Cluster A: Odd or Eccentric Behavior

  • Paranoid Personality Disorder: Characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, even when there is no evidence of betrayal or harm.
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder: Involves detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression.
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Features eccentric behavior, odd beliefs or magical thinking, and difficulty forming close relationships.

Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Behavior

  • Antisocial Personality Disorder: Involves disregard for and violation of the rights of others, impulsivity, deceitfulness, and lack of empathy.
  • Borderline / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder: Characterized by instability in mood, self-image, and relationships, along with impulsive behavior and intense fear of abandonment.
  • Histrionic Personality Disorder: Involves excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior, as well as a need for constant reassurance and approval.
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Features a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.

Cluster C: Anxious or Fearful Behavior

  • Avoidant Personality Disorder: Characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection.
  • Dependent Personality Disorder: Involves an excessive need to be taken care of, submissive and clingy behavior, and fear of separation.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Features preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, along with a rigid adherence to rules and routines.

While personality disorders may cause significant distress and impairment, with appropriate treatment and support, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Treatment typically involves psychological therapy and support groups, tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances. 

Our services include: 

  • Assessment and diagnosis: Our assessment process may include clinical interviews, standardized assessments, and collaboration with other healthcare providers to ensure an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
  • Individual therapy: Based on the results of your assessment, we develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific goals and challenges.
  • Family Support: We can work with loved ones on providing education and support.

 

Who can benefit from it? 

While the signs of a personality disorder can vary depending on the type, you or a loved one might benefit from professional help if you notice a few of the following signs: 

  • Difficulty in Interpersonal Relationships: Individuals with personality disorders often struggle to maintain stable and healthy relationships. They may have difficulty understanding others’ perspectives, forming close attachments, or maintaining boundaries.
  • Impaired Self-Identity: People with personality disorders may have a weak or unstable sense of self. They may experience frequent changes in self-image, values, goals, or career choices.
  • Emotional Dysregulation: Individuals with personality disorders often have difficulty regulating their emotions. They may experience intense and unstable emotions, such as anger, anxiety, sadness, or emptiness, which can lead to impulsive or self-destructive behaviors.
  • Impulsive Behavior: Impulsivity is a common feature of many personality disorders. Individuals may engage in risky or self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating, or overspending, without considering the consequences.
  • Chronic Feelings of Emptiness or Boredom: Many people with personality disorders report chronic feelings of emptiness, loneliness, or boredom, even when surrounded by others or engaged in activities.
  • Difficulty Trusting Others: Trust issues are common among individuals with personality disorders. They may be suspicious of others’ motives, fear betrayal or abandonment, or have a general distrust of people.
  • Controlling Behaviors: Some individuals with personality disorders may exhibit controlling behaviors in relationships. They may use guilt, coercion, or other tactics to get their needs met or maintain power and control over others.
  • Paranoid or Suspicious Thoughts: Paranoid ideation or suspiciousness may be present in certain personality disorders, such as paranoid personality disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder. Individuals may perceive threats or betrayal where none exist and have difficulty trusting others.
  • Difficulty Adapting to Change: People with personality disorders often struggle with change and may have difficulty adapting to new situations or environments. They may prefer routine and predictability to uncertainty or novelty.
  • Persistent Patterns of Behavior: One of the hallmark features of personality disorders is the presence of enduring patterns of behavior that are stable over time and across different situations. These patterns often develop in adolescence or early adulthood and persist into adulthood.

It’s important to note that while these signs and symptoms may indicate the presence of a personality disorder, only a qualified mental health professional can make a diagnosis based on a thorough evaluation of an individual’s symptoms, history, and functioning. Additionally, not everyone who exhibits these signs will meet the criteria for a personality disorder, as these behaviors may also be influenced by other factors such as stress, trauma, or cultural norms. 

Dr Gurveen Ranger Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead of Adult & Corporate Services

Dr Gurveen Ranger is a Clinical Psychologist from the UK and have over 10 years’ experience working in mental health across a variety of settings.

Dr Bisi Laniyan Clinical Psychologist, Adult Specialist

Dr Bisi Laniyan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in the mental health and wellbeing sector.

Hiba Salem Psychologist, Adult, Families, Psycho-Oncology & Palliative Psychology Specialist

Hiba Salem specializes in providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals, couples, and families.

Ana Gomez Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Adolescent & Adults Specialist

Ana Gomez is a Spanish trained Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specialized in working with adolescent and adults with different mental health issues.

Payal's Journey

Payal, a 34-year-old teacher, sought treatment at Sage Clinics after noticing symptoms consistent with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), also known as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Payal had been experiencing intense emotional highs and lows, unstable relationships, and impulsive behaviors that were significantly impacting her daily life and relationships. During her initial assessment with one of our psychologists, Payal explained how she experienced frequent mood swings, ranging from periods of intense sadness, anxiety, and emptiness to moments of intense anger or irritability. She struggled with feelings of chronic emptiness and a profound fear of abandonment, often experiencing intense anxiety and distress when faced with perceived rejection or abandonment by others. Payal also engaged in impulsive behaviors such as overspending, binge eating, and risky sexual behavior, which provided temporary relief from her emotional pain but ultimately exacerbated her distress.

Payal was introduced to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals with EUPD develop skills to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, improve interpersonal relationships, and increase mindfulness. During her DBT sessions, Payal learned practical skills and strategies to help her cope with her intense emotions and reduce impulsive behaviors. She learned mindfulness techniques to increase awareness of her thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, allowing her to observe and accept her experiences without judgment. Payal also practiced emotion regulation skills to identify and label her emotions, understand their triggers, and choose healthier ways of responding to them. In addition to emotion regulation, Payal worked on developing interpersonal effectiveness skills to improve communication, set boundaries, and navigate challenging relationships more effectively. She learned assertiveness techniques, practiced effective communication strategies, and role-played challenging scenarios to build confidence and assertiveness in her interactions with others.

Though Payal's road to recovery was not without its challenges, she remained committed to her treatment, and as she progressed through her DBT sessions, she felt more empowered to cope with life's challenges and embrace a life worth living.

FAQ's

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