Personality Disorder Treatment Options for Everyone

Treatment

Given they cover a broad spectrum, treating personality disorders can be complex. Recognizing that each disorder is unique—from borderline and narcissistic to avoidant and obsessive-compulsive—we tailor our therapeutic approaches to the individual’s specific needs. Leveraging a blend of traditional therapies and holistic Hawaiian healing principles, we cultivate a nurturing environment conducive to treating personality disorders.

What are Personality Disorders?

Personality is what sets us apart in how we think, feel, and act. It’s shaped by our experiences, our environment, and our genetics, and it generally remains consistent throughout our lives. A personality disorder, on the other hand, is when someone’s way of thinking, feeling, and behaving is significantly different from cultural norms, leads to distress or functional issues, and persists over time.

Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior and internal experiences that deviate notably from societal expectations. These patterns typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood and can lead to considerable distress or difficulties in daily functioning. Such disorders aren’t just occasional deviations in behavior; they represent consistent and long-term ways of interacting with the world that differ from what’s generally accepted or expected.

Signs of Using Dissociative Drugs

Often, those who suffer from personality disorders turn to dissociative substances to help relieve their symptoms. Below are some common signs of use. If you notice a loved one exhibiting these, we recommend seeking support as soon as you can.

Daily use
Productivity levels decreasing
Increased secrecy
Withdrawal from family and friends
Being awake at odd hours
No longer making responsible decisions
No longer interested in personal appearance or hygiene
Cannot stay concentrated or remember things that just happened
Risky behavior
Unpredictable moods and behaviors

Types of Personality Disorders

The ten personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on similar characteristics and symptoms. It is important to note that it’s not necessary to exhibit all the signs and symptoms listed for a disorder to be diagnosed.

Cluster A Personality Disorders (odd/eccentric thinking or behavior)

Paranoid personality disorder

Finding it hard to confide in others
Having a hard time letting go or holding on to grudges
Emotions of anger or hostility appear rather quickly
Finding demeaning or threatening subtext in even the most innocent of comments or events

Schizoid personality disorder

Having no desire to have close relationships, even with immediate family members
Seeming always to be aloof or not able to show a lot of emotion
Tending to daydream and create vivid fantasies of complex inner lives
Will lean towards jobs and activities that allow them to be solitary

Schizotypal personality disorder

Belief in superpowers (i.e., telepathy) or superstitions
Paranoid thoughts or doubts about others’ loyalty
Sensing an absent person is present
Strange or rambling speech patterns

Cluster B Personality Disorders (dramatic, overly emotional, or unpredictable thinking or behavior)

Antisocial personality disorder

Not showing guilt or remorse
Disregard for the safety of self and others
Lying, stealing, and fighting often.
Often exhibiting anger or arrogance

Borderline personality disorder

Ongoing feelings of emptiness
Up and down moods, often as a reaction to interpersonal stress
Suicidal behavior or threats of self-injury
Intense fear of being alone or abandoned

Histrionic personality disorder

Constantly seeking attention
Easily influenced by others
Excessive concern with physical appearance
Believing relationships with others are closer than they are

Narcissistic personality disorder

Believing they are unique and more important than others
Failure to recognize others’ needs and feelings
Expectation of constant praise and admiration
Unreasonable expectations of favors and advantages

Cluster C Personality Disorders (anxious, fearful thinking or behavior)

Avoidant personality disorder

Extremely sensitive to criticism or perceived rejection
Extreme shyness from fear of doing something wrong
Extremely low self-esteem
Socially inhibited, timid, and isolated, avoiding new activities or meeting strangers

Dependent personality disorder

Has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others
Struggles to initiate projects or do things on their own
Difficulty disagreeing with others, fearing disapproval
Urgent need to start a new relationship as soon as one has ended

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (NOT the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.)

Desire to be in control of people, tasks, and situations, and inability to delegate tasks
Neglects friends and enjoyable activities because of excessive commitment to work or a project
Rigid and stubborn
Inflexible about morality, ethics, or values