What is Personality Disorder?

A personality disorder is a type of mental health condition characterized by long-term patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that deviate from societal expectations. These patterns can cause significant difficulties in relationships, work, and daily life, making it challenging for individuals to adapt to different situations.

People with personality disorders often have rigid and unhealthy ways of thinking, difficulty managing emotions, and trouble relating to others. These conditions typically develop in adolescence or early adulthood and persist over time.

Common Symptoms & Experience

Common Symptoms

ADHD symptoms can vary by age and individual, but they generally fall into three main categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Unstable or Intense Relationships

Individuals with personality disorders often struggle with maintaining stable relationships. They may have intense emotional attachments but also experience frequent conflicts, misunderstandings, or extreme shifts in how they view others (idealizing someone one moment and devaluing them the next).

Difficulty Regulating Emotions

Many personality disorders involve intense mood swings, impulsivity, or emotional outbursts. People may experience anger, anxiety, or depression that seems out of proportion to the situation, making daily interactions and decision-making challenging.

Distorted Self-Perception

Those with personality disorders often struggle with a fragile or unclear sense of self. They may frequently change their values, goals, or self-image, leading to confusion about their identity and difficulty in making life choices.

Experiences

Personality disorders can deeply impact a person's emotions, relationships, and sense of self. These struggles often lead to difficult personal experiences that can feel isolating and overwhelming. Below are three common experiences that individuals with personality disorders may encounter.

Constant Relationship Struggles

Individuals with personality disorders often feel misunderstood or abandoned in their relationships. They may push people away due to fear of rejection or experience intense emotional conflicts that make it hard to maintain long-term connections.

Emotional Instability and Impulsivity

Sudden mood swings, impulsive behaviors, or self-destructive actions (such as reckless spending, substance use, or self-harm) can make daily life unpredictable and challenging. Managing emotions may feel overwhelming, leading to frequent feelings of distress.

Identity Confusion and Self-Doubt

A person with a personality disorder may struggle with a shifting sense of self, feeling unsure about who they are or what they want in life. They might frequently change jobs, relationships, or personal values, searching for a stable identity but feeling lost.

How Psychological Therapy Can Help You

Psychological therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals with ADHD manage symptoms, improve coping strategies, and enhance overall well-being.

Therapy is especially beneficial for those who struggle with emotional regulation, time management, impulsivity, and self-esteem issues.

Improving Emotional Regulation

Therapy helps individuals understand and manage their emotions more effectively. Techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can teach strategies for coping with intense emotions, reducing impulsivity, and improving self-control.

Many personality disorders impact interpersonal relationships. Therapy provides tools to improve communication, set boundaries, and develop trust in relationships. Learning healthier ways to interact can help reduce conflicts and foster more stable connections.

Building Healthier Relationships

Enhancing Self-Identity and Self-Awareness

Therapy supports individuals in exploring and strengthening their sense of self. By addressing deep-seated insecurities, fears, and identity confusion, individuals can develop greater self-acceptance and confidence, leading to more stability in their personal and professional lives.