Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are mental health conditions that can affect the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and relates to other people. These patterns can influence relationships, emotional well-being, self-image, decision-making, and everyday functioning.
At Elmhurst Psychiatry, we provide compassionate, individualized psychiatric care for individuals experiencing symptoms associated with personality disorders. Treatment may include psychiatric evaluation, medication management when appropriate, ongoing follow-up, and coordination with psychotherapy or other mental health services.
Personality disorders can look different from one person to another. Symptoms may also overlap with conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, or substance use concerns. A professional psychiatric evaluation can help clarify what you are experiencing and identify an appropriate treatment approach.
For additional educational information, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides resources about personality disorders and mental health.
What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders involve long-lasting patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that can create difficulties in relationships, work, or other important areas of life.
These patterns may affect how someone understands themselves and others, responds to stressful situations, manages emotions, or develops relationships.
Personality disorders include:
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
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Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
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Avoidant Personality Disorder
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Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
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Antisocial Personality Disorder
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Paranoid Personality Disorder
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Schizoid Personality Disorder
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Schizotypal Personality Disorder
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Dependent Personality Disorder
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Histrionic Personality Disorder
Not everyone with personality-related symptoms has a personality disorder. Symptoms must be evaluated in the context of a person's history, circumstances, and overall mental health.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs of a personality disorder depend on the specific condition. Some people may experience:
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Difficulty regulating emotions
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Intense or unstable relationships
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Fear of rejection or abandonment
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Difficulty trusting others
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Persistent interpersonal conflicts
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Problems with self-esteem or self-image
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Difficulty understanding or responding to social situations
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Impulsive or risky behaviors
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Sensitivity to criticism or perceived rejection
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Difficulty coping with stress
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Persistent patterns of behavior that interfere with daily life
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may change over time.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often associated with difficulties regulating emotions, maintaining relationships, managing impulses, and developing a stable sense of self.
Some individuals with BPD may experience intense emotions, fear of abandonment, rapidly changing feelings, relationship difficulties, impulsive behaviors, or significant emotional distress.
The National Institute of Mental Health's resource on Borderline Personality Disorder provides additional information about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment for BPD. Depending on an individual's symptoms and circumstances, medication may also be considered to address specific symptoms or co-occurring mental health conditions.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can involve persistent difficulties related to self-image, relationships, emotional regulation, and sensitivity to criticism.
Someone experiencing symptoms associated with NPD may have an intense need for recognition, difficulty responding to criticism, challenges in relationships, or a persistent pattern of relating to others that causes problems in their personal or professional life.
A psychiatric evaluation can help distinguish personality-related symptoms from other mental health conditions and determine appropriate next steps.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder may involve significant sensitivity to criticism or rejection, feelings of inadequacy, and avoidance of social or interpersonal situations.
Individuals may want meaningful relationships but avoid social situations because they fear embarrassment, rejection, or criticism. These patterns can interfere with work, friendships, and other areas of daily life.
Professional support can help individuals better understand these patterns and explore appropriate treatment options.
How Are Personality Disorders Diagnosed?
There is no single test used to diagnose a personality disorder. A psychiatric evaluation generally includes a detailed discussion of symptoms, personal history, relationships, emotional experiences, and current challenges.
A psychiatrist may also consider:
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Previous mental health treatment
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Current and past medications
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Medical history
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Family history
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Substance use
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Other mental health symptoms
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How symptoms affect relationships and daily functioning
Because symptoms can overlap with other conditions, a comprehensive evaluation is important.
The goal is not simply to assign a label. The goal is to understand your experiences and develop an appropriate plan for care.
Treatment for Personality Disorders
Treatment is individualized according to a person's symptoms, needs, and goals.
Psychiatric Evaluation
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can help identify patterns of symptoms and determine whether additional mental health conditions may be contributing to emotional or behavioral difficulties.
Medication Management
There is no single medication that treats personality disorders themselves. However, medication may sometimes be appropriate for specific symptoms or co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Medication decisions should be individualized and regularly reviewed by a qualified psychiatric professional.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an important component of treatment for many personality disorders. Therapy may focus on emotional regulation, relationships, coping skills, self-image, communication, and behavioral patterns.
Certain evidence-based approaches may be particularly useful for specific conditions. For example, NIMH discusses therapies such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in its information about Borderline Personality Disorder.
At Elmhurst Psychiatry, psychiatric care can be coordinated with psychotherapy when appropriate.
Ongoing Follow-Up
Mental health needs can change over time. Regular follow-up allows your treatment plan to be reviewed based on your progress, symptoms, goals, and changing circumstances.
When Should You Seek Help?
Consider seeking professional support when emotional or behavioral patterns are consistently affecting your relationships, work, school, responsibilities, or overall quality of life.
You do not have to wait until symptoms become overwhelming. A psychiatric evaluation can provide a better understanding of what you are experiencing and help identify appropriate treatment options.
If you are looking for additional mental health treatment resources, SAMHSA's Treatment Locator can help you find mental health and substance-use treatment services.
Personalized Psychiatric Care at Elmhurst Psychiatry
At Elmhurst Psychiatry, we understand that personality-related concerns can be complex and deeply connected to a person's emotional well-being and relationships.
Our approach focuses on understanding each individual as a whole and developing a thoughtful treatment plan based on their symptoms, goals, and circumstances.
Whether you are seeking an initial psychiatric evaluation, medication management, or ongoing psychiatric support, our goal is to provide compassionate and individualized care.
If personality-related symptoms are affecting your relationships, emotional well-being, or daily life, contact Elmhurst Psychiatry to schedule an evaluation.
Additional Mental Health Resources
For reliable information about personality disorders and mental health, these organizations provide educational resources:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency or is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.