mental health disorders
Overview of Personality Disorders
Treatment of Personality Disorders
Psychotherapy Personality disorders are treated with Psychotherapy , which may include individual psychotherapy or group therapy. Therapy is more likely to be effective when people seek treatment and are motivated to change. Medications do not treat personality disorders directly but can help relieve symptoms of distress, such as Symptoms and Personality disorders can be particularly difficult to treat, so it is important to choose a psychotherapist who is experienced and nonjudgmental and who can understand the person's self-image, areas of sensitivity, and usual ways of coping. Although specific treatments differ according to the type of personality disorder, treatment generally aims to Reduce distress Help people understand that their problems are internal (not caused by other people or situations) Decrease maladaptive and socially undesirable behavior Modify the personality traits that are causing difficulties such as anxiety and depression, is the first goal of treatment. Reducing distress makes treatment of the personality disorder easier. First, therapists help people identify what is causing distress. Then, they consider ways to relieve it. Therapists provide strategies to help the person get out of highly distressing situations or relationships (called psychosocial support). These strategies may include care and support by family members, friends, neighbors, health care practitioners, and others. Medications for Treatment or Helping people understand that their problems are internalis crucial because people with a personality disorder may not see a problem with their own behavior. Doctors try to help people understand when their behavior is inappropriate and has harmful consequences. By establishing a cooperative, mutually respectful doctor-patient relationship, doctors can help people become more aware of themselves and recognize their socially undesirable, inappropriate behavior. Doctors can also help people realize that changes in their behavior and view of themselves and others will take time and effort. Maladaptive and undesirable behaviors(such as recklessness, social isolation, lack of assertiveness, and temper outbursts) should be dealt with quickly to minimize ongoing damage to jobs and relationships. Sometimes doctors need to set limits on behavior in their office. For example, doctors may tell people that yelling and threatening makes conducting a session difficult. If behavior is extreme—for example, if people are reckless, isolate themselves socially, have outbursts of anger, or are self-destructive—they may need treatment at a day hospital or in a residential institution. Changes in behavior are most important for people with one of the following personality disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) None Antisocial Personality Disorder None Avoidant Personality Disorder None Group therapy and behavioral modification methods can typically improve behavior within months. Self-help groups or family therapy can also help change inappropriate behavior. The involvement of family members is helpful and often essential because they can act in ways that either reinforce or diminish the inappropriate behavior or thoughts. (such as dependency, distrust, arrogance, and manipulativeness) takes a long time, typically more than a year. The key to modifying these traits is individual Psychotherapy . Psychotherapy can help people understand how their personality disorder relates to their current problems. It can also help people learn new and better ways of interacting and coping. Usually, change is gradual. 