Personality Disorder

By understanding personality disorders, you can identify the best ways to regain control and lead a full and meaningful life.

Having a personality disorder doesn’t mean that your personality is somehow flawed or there is something fundamentally wrong with who you are. Rather, someone with a personality disorder has rigid patterns of thought and behavior which makes it difficult to relate to people and situations. This has a negative effect on interpersonal relationships. Most people with a personality disorder are unable to sustain meaningful and fulfilling relationships at home or at work, and experience other problems functioning in social and occupational situations.

But you’re not powerless. Personality disorders are one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric conditions. There are effective treatments and coping skills that can help you feel better, take back control of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and build fulfilling relationships.

What is a personality disorder?

A personality disorder is a condition that creates an unhealthy pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Most people with a personality disorder experience chronic instability, especially in their relationships, moods, and behavior. You may feel like you’re unable to relate to the world around you or that your thoughts and impulses are out of control.

Since your way of thinking and behaving seems natural to you, you may not even realize that you have a problem. Instead, you may blame others for the difficulties you face, which can cause even more problems in your interpersonal relationships. With the right treatment and coping skills, though, you can regain control of your life.