Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are characterized by long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviours that cause serious problems in relationships and work. A personality disorder can be seen as a way pervasive of thinking, feeling, and behaving that differs from the expectations of culture, causes distress, or problems in functioning. Personality disorders often continue throughout adulthood and are only diagnosed after the age of 18. Individuals with personality disorders are often at a greater risk for self-harm and suicide.

Personality is described as a distinct set of traits, style of behaviour, and patterns of thinking that make up our character. Individuals with healthy personalities are able to cope with normal stresses and do not have difficulty forming relationships. Our personalities can be influenced by both genetic factors and environmental circumstances.

There are three different categories of personality disorders:

Cluster A: characterized by odd or eccentric patterns of thinking and social detachment

Cluster B: characterized by unstable emotions and erratic behaviour

Cluster C: characterized by anxious or fearful patterns of thinking and relating to others

Although the cause of personality disorders is not known, there are some factors that seem to increase the risk of developing a personality disorder, such as:

Family history of personality disorders or other mental illness
Abusive, unstable, or chaotic family life during childhood
Being diagnosed with a conduct disorder in childhood
Variations in brain chemistry or structure

How are personality disorders treated?

Both individual and group psychotherapy have been found to be effective if the individual is motivated to engage in treatment. Both dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have been found to be helpful to help the individual feel validated and gain insight into their personality patterns. Additionally, psychotherapy can help individuals to understand the effects of their behaviour on relationships and learn to better cope with symptoms of these disorders. Specific types of treatments will depend on the specific personality disorder.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a personality disorder, contact us to see how we can help.

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Toronto Psychologists Clinic

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