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Personality Disorders

Our specialized personality disorder treatment is designed to guide individuals toward understanding, managing, and ultimately transcending the challenges posed by these conditions. With a foundation of empathy and expertise, our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way.
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Understanding Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are long-standing and deeply rooted beliefs about one’s self, with characteristics that may include a lack of insight or self-awareness, inflexibility, and limited ability to utilize coping skills to help with positive change.

Those with personality disorders tend to either blame others for their problems or, on the other hand, blame themselves too much and struggle with interpersonal relationships. Because those with personality disorders have a limited capacity for self-reflection and deeply ingrained beliefs — internally and externally – many don’t see a need or a desire for change and therefore are hard to treat.

According to the National Institute for Health, approximately 23 million Americans have a personality disorder. A large majority of those with a personality disorder have a history of trauma, emotional abuse, or neglect and tend to come from families with impaired functioning, as well as poor or harmful communication styles.

Personality Disorders by Clusters

Cluster A is considered the odd and eccentric cluster with characteristics that include social awkwardness or withdrawal or avoidance of social settings. These personality disorders include:

  • Paranoid Personality Disorder
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Cluster B personality disorders include traits that can be characterized as dramatic, overly emotional, or erratic. These include:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
  • Histrionic Personality Disorder
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder

Cluster C personality disorders include traits of being anxious and fearful and include the following:

  • Avoidant Personality Disorder
  • Dependent Personality Disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder (this is not the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder)

Differences in the Type of Personality Disorders

There are several subtypes of personality disorders. Below is a brief overview of each:

Cluster A

Paranoid Personality Disorder – a person has the belief that others dislike them or are out to get them and utilize defense mechanisms to protect themselves by treating others badly. As a result, they tend to be guarded, as well as critical, suspicious, defensive, and jealous of others, and therefore have trouble maintaining relationships

Schizoid Personality Disorder – a pattern of detachment from social situations and tend to like solitary activities and avoid intimate or social relationships. This person can seem aloof or indifferent and have difficulty showing emotions.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder – features of this disorder include paranoia and superstition and people tend to be guarded or hypersensitive. People with schizotypal disorder tend to be described as odd or eccentric and have very few interpersonal relationships except with close family.

Cluster B

Borderline Personality Disorder – characterized by a pervasive pattern of emotional and relationship instability, with a lack of a positive view of self. People with borderline personality disorder often see the world in extremes — either good or bad — and therefore struggle with intimacy and interpersonal relationships, as those who are close to people with borderline personality struggle with their extreme mood changes and irrationality. This disorder is also characterized by impulsive behaviors and inappropriate anger.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder – includes personality traits of grandiosity, superiority, or egocentricity and tends to lack empathy. While people with narcissistic personality disorder present as confident and superior, underneath they have a pervasive feeling of inferiority and vulnerability that must be defended against. This disorder is characterized by strong reactions to criticism, disregarding others’ feelings, a sense of entitlement, and the belief that they are right.

Histrionic Personality Disorder – people with this disorder seek attention and need constant reassurance and praise. They tend to place high importance on physical attractiveness and are seen as self-centered, as well as dramatic. Additionally, people with histrionic personality disorder tend to be jealous and manipulative and can experience extreme mood changes based on how people react to them.

Antisocial Personality Disorder – this is the only disorder that must be diagnosed after the age of 18. People who struggle with antisocial personality disorder react negatively to social norms or roles, typically through impulsiveness or aggression. People with this disorder are prone to manipulation, lying, and theft, as well as violence toward people and animals, and may feel no remorse or guilt for their actions. They have a strong need for admiration and attention and react negatively when they feel rejected.

Cluster C

Avoidant Personality Disorder – tend to view themselves as inferior or unattractive and lack poor social skills, because of fear of rejection or embarrassment. Unlike schizoid personality disorder, in which they prefer solitary activities and interests, those with avoidant personality disorder have a strong desire for intimacy and companionship but their fear of connection prevents them from establishing these relationships

Dependent Personality Disorder – is characterized by a fear of being alone and a belief they are not capable of making decisions and lack self-confidence for self-sufficiency. People with dependent personality disorder are submissive and rely on others to make decisions for them. They require reassurance and acknowledgment and have a fear of rejection.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder – a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with rules, order, and perfection and the need to control others. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder have difficulty delegating things because of a need for perfectionism and fear that it won’t be done correctly. These people tend to be self-critical and have difficulty expressing emotions because of fear of vulnerability.

What Causes Personality Disorders?

While there is no definitive cause for the development of personality disorders, that are several factors that may play a role. Those include:

Genetics – those with personality disorders may carry a specific genetic makeup, predisposing them to the development of a personality disorder.

Environmental – Research has shown that several environmental factors play a large role in the development of personality disorders, including:

Sexual abuse and childhood trauma – high levels of sexual abuse have been reported in people with personality disorders. Additionally, those with personality disorders have a high reported rate of childhood neglect or physical/emotional and or verbal abuse.

Family chaos and impairment – those whose family life was chaotic, unsupportive, and dysfunctional have a higher rate of personality disorders.

Signs and Symptoms of Personality Disorders

While each specific personality disorder includes specific criteria for accurate diagnosis, the following generic overview of personality disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a reference manual used by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders – provides a topline overview of signs and symptoms of personality disorders:

Personality disorders are characterized by an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that is markedly different from the expectations of one’s culture. This pattern of thinking or experience is exhibited through:

  • Distorted thinking or cognition in the way they perceive themselves, other people, or events.
  • Difficulty in emotional functioning
  • Struggles with interpersonal relationships
    Impulse control issues
  • This pattern of thinking or behaviors is inflexible and rigid across a broad range of personal and social experiences.
  • These personality traits cause significant distress or impairment in social, work, and relationship functioning.
  • The pattern of thinking and behavior is stable and long-lasting and can be traced to early adulthood or adolescents.

Evidence-Based Treatments for Personality Disorders

At Clarity Clinic our experienced clinicians guide clients toward the proper treatments, including pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Our personality disorder treatment incorporates a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches that have shown effectiveness in managing and mitigating the challenges of personality disorders:

Psychotherapy

At Clarity Clinic, we have highly trained therapists who specialize in the treatment of personality disorders and provide treatment in a safe and nurturing environment to foster the therapeutic alliance. Our therapists work with a variety of treatment modalities to improve the symptoms of those with personality disorders, including:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This well-established therapy focuses on building emotional regulation skills, enhancing interpersonal effectiveness, and fostering mindfulness. By learning to navigate intense emotions and improve relationships, individuals can achieve a higher level of stability and well-being.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns and behaviors, promoting positive change and healthier ways of coping with stressors.

Group Therapy

Connecting with peers who share similar experiences can be incredibly therapeutic. Our group therapy sessions provide a supportive environment for individuals to share, learn, and grow together.

Couples and Family Counseling

Additionally, because friends and family members of those who struggle with personality disorders can also be affected by their extreme mood swings and impaired functioning, Clarity Clinic’s marriage and family therapists can work with couples and families to help support them and work through negative emotions connected to the personality disorder.

Medication Management

While there is no medication designed for personality disorders, a high percentage of those with personality disorders have co-occurring disorders that can be helped through pharmacological treatment.

Getting Help for Personality Disorders

If you or a loved one are ready to embark on a path toward healing and transformation, Clarity Clinic is here for you. Our commitment is to empower individuals to embrace their true selves, build resilience, and cultivate authentic and meaningful lives.

Take the first step towards lasting change. Contact us today to learn more about our personality disorder treatment and begin your journey toward a brighter future.

Personality Disorders Providers

Rebecca
Rebecca Helm, LSW
Therapy
Ryan
Ryan Atkins, PA
Psychiatry
Cesar
Cesar Feijoo, PA-C
PA-C
Hannah
Hannah Wychocki, PA-C
PA-C
Lauren
Lauren Isdale, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Gabriella
Gabriella Lerner, PA-C
PA-C
Cyrus
Cyrus Ma, PA-C
PA-C
Zachary
Zachary Delgado, LSW
Therapy
Kumail
Kumail Hussain, MD
Young Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Jaimee
Jaimee Jaucian, LCPC, BC-DMT
Therapy
Rahael
Rahael Mathew, LCPC
Therapist
Megan
Megan Becker, PA-C
PA-C
Emma
Emma Arsic, PA-C
PA-C
Paul
Paul Bamberger, PA-C
PA-C
Jason
Jason Brescia, LCPC
Therapy
Sankrant
Sankrant Reddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Virginia
Virginia Harren, LCPC
Clinical Supervisor
Stephanie
Stephanie Osborne, PA-C
Psychiatry
Ashley
Ashley Seredynski, PA-C
PA-C
Christine
Christine Lantin, PA-C
PA-C
Brittney
Brittney Segoviano, LCPC
Therapist
Callie
Callie Perlman, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Bianca
Bianca Miller, LCPC
Therapist
Sudhakar
Sudhakar Shenoy, MD
Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Sharon
Sharon Koys, PA-C
PA-C
Sara
Sara Fakhri, MA
Therapy
Sarah
Sarah Beerman, LCSW, CADC
Therapist
Sahar
Sahar Eftekhar, DO
General & Addiction Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Gilfillan, MD
Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Kuhn, PA-C
PA-C
Sonnie
Sonnie Cousins, MA
Therapy
Elana
Elana Horowitz, PA-C
PA-C
Pavan
Pavan Prasad, MD
Psychiatrist
Mariyah
Mariyah Hussain, MD
Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Leslie
Leslie Wolf, LCPC
Therapist
Marc
Marc Sandrolini, MD
Psychiatry
Kiran Binal
Kiran Binal Maharaja, MD
Psychiatrist
Katherine
Katherine Evans, LCPC
Therapist
Kalyan
Kalyan Rao, MD
Psychiatrist
Jonathan
Jonathan Kolakowski, MD
Psychiatrist
Judy
Judy Bitzer, LCPC
Therapist
James
James Histed, Clinical Intern
Therapy Clinical Intern
Keith
Keith Merrifield, LCSW, CCTP, ADHD-CCSP
Therapist
Jessica
Jessica Masbaum, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Ivy
Ivy Poma, PA-C
PA-C
Jeanette
Jeanette Marinier, PA-C
PA-C
Jamie
Jamie Schubert, PA-C
PA-C
Sherita
Sherita Hernton, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Schaffer, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Street, PA-C
PA-C
Thomas
Thomas Thurlow, NP
Psychiatry
Savannah
Savannah Sullivan, PA-C
PA-C
Kathryn
Kathryn Ross, PA-C
Psychiatry
Summer
Summer Slininger, PA-C
PA-C
Irena
Irena Markova, PMHNP
Psychiatry
Ravali
Ravali Poreddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Ariella
Ariella Panos, PA-C
PA-C
James
James Ham, PA-C
Psychiatry
Rayna
Rayna Gorstein, PA-C
PA-C
Daniel
Daniel Shuter, LSW
Therapist
Sierra
Sierra Purcell, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Hoag, MD
Psychiatrist
Ali
Ali Sheikha, PA-C
PA-C
Grace
Grace Starrs, PA-C
Psychiatry
Cassie
Cassie Donahue, PA-C
Psychiatry
Gayathri
Gayathri Ganesh, PA-C
PA-C
Ryan
Ryan Watters, LSW, CADC
Therapy
Samuel
Samuel Eckert, PA-C
PA-C
Chloe
Chloe Wesley, Clinical Intern
Therapy
Nayeli
Nayeli Cruz-Castillo, LCPC
Therapy
Rafael
Rafael Lopez, MD
Psychiatrist
Nicholas
Nicholas Little, PA-C
PA-C
Scott
Scott Shadrick, PA-C
PA-C
Mira
Mira Ebalo, PA-C
PA-C
Lauren
Lauren Stanley, LCSW
Therapy
Justin
Justin Lee, PA-C
PA-C
Jordan
Jordan Valentic-Holden, MA
Therapy
Katherine
Katherine Cunningham, LPC, CADC
Therapy
Heather
Heather Holmes, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Filip, PA-C
PA-C
Autumn
Autumn Holtschlag, ALMFT, LPC
Therapy
Liz
Liz Hand, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Jenna
Jenna Jacobson, PA-C
PA-C
Dane
Dane Davlantis, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Caitlin
Caitlin Daughtry, PA-C
PA-C
Camryn
Camryn Schmidt, PA-C
PA-C
Carolyn
Carolyn Klinkert, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Brent
Brent Hope, LCSW
Therapy
Alexandra
Alexandra Gregor, PA-C
PA-C
Allegria
Allegria Knouse, PA-C
PA-C
Bakhtawar
Bakhtawar Usman, PA-C
Psychiatry
Alyssa
Alyssa Bobak, PA-C
PA-C
Aimee
Aimee Daramus, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Anita
Anita Weber, LSW
Therapy

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