Personality Disorder Treatment

Personality Disorder Treatment

We all have unique personality traits that make us who we are. But when these traits become rigid and disruptive, they can affect important aspects of your life, like your relationships and work. This can feel frustrating, stressful, and confusing.

Talk therapy (or psychotherapy) is the main treatment for personality disorders. At Blue Hills Recovery, we’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to provide the support you need to manage your personality disorder.

Having this mental illness doesn’t define you or your future. Keep reading to learn more about personality disorders and the next steps you can take toward a healthy, fulfilling life.

Overview of Personality Disorders

Personality traits are the patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that shape how we interact with ourselves and the world.

Personality disorders are a type of mental health disorder that occur when these traits become rigid and unhealthy, leading to distorted views of reality, abnormal behaviors, and significant distress or impairment. 

Living with a personality disorder can make it difficult to work, manage daily life, or maintain positive relationships. Often, people with these disorders may not recognize their behavior’s impact on others.

At Blue Hills Recovery, we understand how isolating a personality disorder can feel. We’re here to guide you, offering the right treatment to help you address and manage these challenging thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Lower level at Blue Hills Recovery's Facility
Lower level at Blue Hills Recovery's Facility

What Causes Personality Disorders?

It’s unclear what causes personality disorders, but they are thought to result from a range of factors, like your inherited genes and early childhood environment, particularly exposure to childhood trauma like abuse and neglect.

Risk Factors for Personality Disorders

Certain factors increase your chances of having a personality disorder:

  • Particular temperament (e.g., high novelty seeking in clusters A and C)
  • Gender (e.g., antisocial personality disorder in men and borderline, dependent, and histrionic personality disorders in women)
  • Adverse childhood experiences (e.g. abuse and neglect)

Who Is Affected by Personality Disorders?

Anyone can have a personality disorder, but it typically begins during adolescence while your personality is still developing.

Here are some key statistics about personality disorders:

  • Worldwide personality disorders affect about 10.5% of people (3.6% for cluster A, 4.5% for cluster B, 2.8% for cluster C)
  • These disorders affect up to 30% of the psychiatric population (goes even higher among incarcerated people)

Individuals with personality disorders are also likely to be:

  • Men of lower socioeconomic status
  • Unmarried
  • Younger
  • Lower education levels
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Signs & Symptoms of Personality Disorders

The symptoms of personality disorders are broad, with each type having its own signs and symptoms. But in general, people with personality disorders may battle issues like:

  • The way they think of themselves, others, and events (e.g., suspiciousness of others, feelings of inadequacy)
  • The way they respond emotionally (e.g., emotional outbursts, lack of empathy, restricted emotions)
  • The way they relate with others (e.g., problems initiating and sustaining relationships)
  • The way they control their own behavior (e.g., impulsivity, inflexibility with schedules)

Most individuals with personality disorder have little to no awareness that their thoughts or behaviors are problematic, and perceive them as normal.

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Types of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on similar characteristics:

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Cluster C Personality Disorders

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What Happens When a Personality Disorder Goes Untreated?

Without treatment, personality disorders can persist long-term. These unstable and disruptive patterns can lead to further complications, such as:

  • Relationship difficulties, causing conflicts with family members
  • Work-related issues, including unemployment
  • Impaired social functioning, potentially contributing to domestic abuse or criminal behavior

People with personality disorders are also more likely to visit the ER for self-harm, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, and face a higher risk of death.

Though the outlook may seem challenging, personality disorders can be treated and even go into remission — where you no longer meet the criteria of having the disorder. This is true only if you commit yourself to treatment. 

With proper care, including addressing co-occurring conditions like depression and substance abuse, recovery is possible. At Blue Hills Recovery, our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way.

Personality Disorder Treatment in Massachusetts

Blue Hills Recovery understands the complexity of personality disorders and the unique challenges they present. With the right treatment, you can regain control over your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, leading to a more stable and fulfilling life.

Our skilled team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to helping you develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs, preferences, and overall health.

Mental Health Recovery Programs

Dual Diagnosis Care

Therapies & Counseling

Continuing Care

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Most Insurance Accepted

We work with most major insurance carriers and offer a range of options to fit your lifestyle and financial means 

Get Expert Care for a Personality Disorder at Blue Hills Recovery

Personality disorder is one of the most complex mental health conditions to navigate without support. It deeply impacts how you think, feel, and relate to others, often leading to strained relationships and difficulties in everyday life. 

No single treatment approach works for everyone. That’s why it’s essential to work with skilled mental health professionals who can create a personalized plan from available treatment options, tailored to your unique needs.


Blue Hills Recovery is dedicated to providing the right combination of therapies and support to help you manage your condition, build healthier relationships, and lead a more balanced, fulfilling life. Call us today to start your recovery.

Personality Disorder FAQs

What is the best treatment for personality disorders?

Can you live a normal life with personality disorder?

How can you help someone with a personality disorder?

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A Life of Healing Can be Yours.

You deserve to become your best self. With decades of combined experience in the field of addiction medicine, our staff knows what it takes to build a foundation for recovery.