Personality Disorders
Sulcata Psychiatry
A personality disorder can make it difficult to relate to situations and people, causing significant problems with school, work, and personal relationships. Sulcata Psychiatry provides personalized, connected care for personality disorders in children, teens, and adults. If you or a loved one may have a personality disorder, call the office today or request an appointment online. Telemedicine visits are available.
About Personality Disorders
What are personality disorders?
Your personality is the way you think, feel, and behave that sets you apart from other people. A personality disorder is when these aspects deviate from cultural expectations and cause ongoing distress or difficulty functioning.
Sometimes, people with personality disorders don’t realize anything is wrong because their way of thinking or behaving seems normal to them. They may even blame others for the challenges they face. That can significantly disrupt the lives of both the affected person and those who care about them.
Without treatment, personality disorders can last a long time. Fortunately, compassionate care is available at Sulcata Psychiatry.
What are the types of personality disorders?
There are 10 different personality disorders that fit into three main clusters:
Cluster A
Cluster A personality disorders involve eccentric thinking or behavior. They include schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder.
Cluster B
People with cluster B disorders tend to be overly emotional, dramatic, or unpredictable in behavior. They include borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder.
Cluster C
Cluster C disorders involve fear and anxiety. They include avoidant personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and dependent personality disorder.
How do personality disorders affect mental health?
Signs and symptoms of personality disorders vary based on the type of disorder you have and your personal experiences. Generally, personality disorders affect at least two of these areas:
- Way of thinking about yourself or others
- Way of responding emotionally
- Way of controlling your behavior
- Way of relating to others
Many people with personality disorders also experience other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, impulse control disorders, or substance use disorders.
How are personality disorders diagnosed and treated?
Your treatment journey begins with a complete psychiatric evaluation with our psychiatry team, which may include cognitive testing or screeners. Your provider will discuss your particular concerns and goals for treatment, while taking the time to connect with you personally and making you a partner in your mental health care plan.
Depending on your needs, your individualized treatment plan may include medication to relieve your symptoms, talk therapy, or a combination of both. To ensure the most effective medication prescription for you, Sulcata Psychiatry offers in-office pharmacogenetic testing with Genomind®.
Our providers may also recommend alternative therapies like Vitamin Therapy, bibliotherapy, physical activity, stress management techniques like yoga, and changes to your nutrition or sleep habits.
To find relief from personality disorders, call Sulcata Psychiatry or request an appointment online today.
