Personality Disorder Therapy

What is a Personality Disorder?

A personality disorder is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts with others. It is different from the way most people think, feel, and behave. This can cause problems in relationships, work, and self-care.

There are different types of personality disorders, including:

  • Paranoid personality disorder

  • Schizoid personality disorder

  • Schizotypal personality disorder

  • Borderline personality disorder

  • Narcissistic personality disorder

  • Avoidant personality disorder

  • Dependent personality disorder

  • Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

These disorders often begin in adolescence or early adulthood and can be difficult to change. They can cause distress and make it hard for a person to function well in their daily life.

Common symptoms

Personality disorders are characterised by persistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and interpersonal functioning that deviate significantly from the expectations of an individual's culture and are associated with distress or impaired functioning.

The specific symptoms of a personality disorder can vary depending on the type of disorder, but some common symptoms include:

  • Inflexible and maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are stable over time and across situations.

  • Difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships due to problems with trust, emotional regulation, and impulse control.

  • Distorted sense of self, including problems with self-esteem, self-worth, and identity.

  • Difficulty in accepting responsibility for one's own actions and blaming others for problems in one's life.

  • Extreme emotional responses that are disproportionate to the situation and that can lead to intense and unstable relationships.

  • Patterns of thinking that are rigid and that can lead to problems with decision making.

  • Difficulty in adapting to change.

  • Extreme fear of abandonment.

  • Self-harm behaviors such as cutting, suicidal thoughts, and attempts.

  • Impulsivity, with little or no regard for the consequences of one's actions.

It's important to note that everyone can exhibit one or more of these symptoms from time to time, however, when these symptoms become chronic, pervasive, and impairing, they may indicate the presence of a personality disorder.

What type of therapy is best for helping a person struggling with symptoms of personality disorder?

There are several types of therapy that have been found to be effective for individuals with personality disorders. The specific type of therapy that is best for a particular individual will depend on the type of personality disorder they have, as well as their individual needs and preferences.

Some of the most commonly used and evidence-based therapies for personality disorders include:

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): This therapy was specifically developed for individuals with borderline personality disorder and focuses on teaching skills for regulating emotions, improving relationships, and reducing self-harm behaviours.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviours that contribute to the development and maintenance of personality disorders.

  • Mentalisation-based therapy (MBT): This therapy is used to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder, it's focus on helping the person to understand and make sense of their own and other's mental states and emotions.

  • Schema-Focused Therapy: This therapy is used to treat personality disorders and focuses on changing negative and maladaptive patterns of thoughts, emotions and behaviours. 

How does Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) help a person with symptoms of personality disorder?

A Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) therapist helps a person with a personality disorder by teaching them skills to manage and cope with their emotions, improve their relationships, and reduce self-harm behaviours.

DBT is a structured therapy that typically involves weekly individual therapy sessions and weekly group skills training sessions. The therapy is broken down into four main modules:

  • Mindfulness: DBT therapists teach individuals with personality disorders to be present in the moment and focus on their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

  • Interpersonal effectiveness: DBT therapists teach individuals with personality disorders to communicate effectively and assertively in relationships, while also preserving self-respect and maintaining healthy boundaries.

  • Emotion regulation: DBT therapists teach individuals with personality disorders to identify and manage intense emotions in a healthy way.

  • Distress tolerance: DBT therapists teach individuals with personality disorders to tolerate difficult situations without making them worse.

DBT therapists also work with clients to identify and change patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to the development and maintenance of their personality disorder.

DBT therapy is a collaborative process, the therapist works with the person to set treatment goals and provides support and guidance as the person learns and applies the skills taught in therapy. DBT therapy is a long-term treatment and usually takes several months to a year to complete, it's important that the person is committed to the process in order to get the best results.

Ian Scott is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist who specialises in the use of DBT with a wide rage of personality disorders. He also runs a group DBT course. Click here of you are interested in seeing Ian for individual and/or group therapy.

Click here to see Ian Scott’s Profile page.

Specialists in the treatment of Personality Disorders at My Therapist Online

At My Therapist Online, we listen to the problems you are facing and match you with the right therapist for your individual needs. You can meet with them for a free initial consultation to be sure it is a good match before starting your therapy.



Recommended Reading for help overcoming or managing symptoms of personality disorders

It is worth noting that while these books can provide helpful information and strategies, they are not a substitute for professional help. It is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional in order to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment for a personality disorder.



  • The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Borderline Personality Disorder: Using DBT, ACT, and CBT Skills to Move Beyond Symptoms - by Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen: This workbook provides practical exercises and strategies for learning and applying mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies to manage symptoms of borderline personality disorder.


  • Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think - by Dennis Greenberger and Christine Padesky: This book provides practical strategies for identifying and changing negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviours that contribute to the development and maintenance of personality disorders.




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