How Can Dialectical Behavior Therapy Help Individuals Manage Personality Disorders?
A day in a life with an unmanaged personality disorder can feel very overwhelming. An individual who is living with a personality disorder may have long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are different from what a typical person’s would be. Thus, living with the challenges of an untreated personality disorder can affect many different aspects of an individual’s life. Moving forward with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) at Restoration Recovery can help individuals manage personality disorders for a more constructive lifestyle.
What Is a Personality Disorder?
According to MedlinePlus, an individual’s personality is made up of their unique feelings, behavior, thinking, and relating to others. A person’s character does not change much once they reach adulthood unless they are facing challenges with their mental health. For example, an individual diagnosed with a personality disorder may have an unhealthy and inflexible thought process combined with disorderly behavior. Specific patterns are commonly steady among different situations that typically lead to impairment and distress.
There are 10 distinct types of personality disorders that are organized into three different subcategories. The clusters consist of:
- A: Unusual and strange thoughts and behaviors
- B: Emotional and dramatic thoughts and behaviors that consistently change
- C: Anxious and fearful thoughts and behaviors
A few types of personality disorders include:
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
The Challenges of Living With an Untreated Personality Disorder
An individual facing problems with an untreated personality disorder may experience serious complications in different areas of their life. For example, one may notice their interpersonal hardships, work performance, and social activities may be significantly impaired without professional assistance. Living with an unmanaged personality disorder can make it incredibly hard for one to cope with daily conflict and various stressors. Not taking the time to learn how to recognize the warning signs can make one feel blindsided by their symptoms. Being less informed on how to control certain behaviors or impulses can make it difficult for one to connect with others.
Personality Disorder Symptoms
According to Personality Disorder, an individual who is having difficulty coping with the symptoms related to their condition may experience abnormal affective responses and may perceive confusing perceptions of reality. Depending on the type of personality disorder an individual may have, these thoughts can make one feel frightened. Distorted perceptions can often manifest into great distress interfering with one’s ability to manage their priorities.
An individual’s symptoms may vary, depending on the subcategory their mental health condition may fall under. If an individual is unaware of how to manage their condition, they may be at an increased risk of experiencing frequent emergency room visits, traumatic accidents, and even premature death by suicide. A lack of understanding of their condition may also present resistance to treatment. Studies have found that those who refuse treatment are at an increased risk of experiencing:
- Unemployment
- Divorce
- Domestic abuse
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Homelessness
The Value of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Manage Personality Disorders
According to The Mental Health Clinician, DBT is an organized outpatient therapy option used to treat a wide array of personality disorders. For example, this therapy approach is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is an effective treatment used today to help individuals manage their borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Common symptoms of BPD similar to the many personality disorders include:
- Unstable sense of self
- Chaotic relationships
- Fears of abandonment
- Emotional lability
- Self-injurious behaviors related to impulsivity
Classic DBT is made up of four main components, which include a skills training group, telephone consultation, individual therapy, and a therapist consultation team. Each component is combined to educate one on helpful behavioral tools that target the symptoms related to their personality disorder.
Participate in DBT at Restoration Recovery to Manage Personality Disorders
Knowing many individuals facing problems with their personality disorder may have difficulty surrendering to professional treatment, support from family and friends may help encourage one to seek proper care. As many may feel indecisive about moving forward with professional support, taking time to understand the benefits of care from a specialist may help one take the next step toward recovery.
Choosing to move forward with DBT at Restoration Recovery may significantly improve one’s condition for a better quality of life. It may help if one takes time to discuss their medical history, health concerns, and mental health goals. This may also help a member of the facility develop a comprehensive treatment plan to enhance one’s path toward recovery. Sometimes touring a new treatment facility may build trust within their mental health team for a more positive experience.
Restoration Recovery understands how challenging life can be without professional support. We also understand that no matter what condition one is struggling with, everyone deserves to find peace within themselves. Staying dedicated to a treatment plan, addressing concerns, and using the tools learned in DBT outside of therapy can help one better manage their personality disorder.
At Restoration Recovery Center, our Northern California rehab programs provide a range of options to help clients break free from addiction and begin living happy and healthy lives. Our intensive outpatient program allows our clients to receive the treatment, education, and support they need for their addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. If you have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder by a medical professional, you may also benefit from a dual diagnosis treatment center like Restoration Recovery. Breaking down our many psychotherapy options, such as DBT, with a specialist can be a great way to ensure we tailor our services to your specific needs. Call us at (888) 290-0925 to learn more.
