Personality Disorder Treatment Altamonte Springs, FL

Causes of Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are often caused by genetics, parenting styles, and peer influences. Modern research suggests that various factors such as abuse can also contribute to the development of these disorders, especially when they are inherent in an individual. The American Psychological Association lists the causes of personality disorders and their contributing factors:

1. Genetics: A study in Molecular Psychiatry found that 6 out of 7 family members with a certain mutated gene had Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and multiple other disorders such as alcohol and substance abuse.
2. Childhood Trauma: Researchers have found that many complicated or serious traumas that occur in childhood, such as sexual abuse, could severely impact a person with a personality disorder or largely contribute to its development.
3. Verbal Abuse: Children who experienced emotionally abusive verbal language or threats from their parents were three times more likely to develop a personality disorder in adulthood.
4. High Reactivity: Children who are overly sensitive to certain stimuli, such as light, noise, and textures, may be more susceptible to the development of a personality disorder.
5. Peer influence: Relationships can affect the development of a personality disorder in either a positive or negative way.

Diagnosing Personality Disorders

To properly diagnose a personality disorder, patients must go through a variety of tests and assessments. A primary care doctor may recommend a physical examination, laboratory tests, psychiatric evaluation, and running diagnostic criteria under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. It is often difficult to diagnose patients with a particular personality disorder as many signs and symptoms overlap, and many people have a combination of various types of Personality Disorders.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that people experiencing long-term deviations from cultural expectations in themselves or loved ones may have one or more personality disorders. This long-term deviation can lead to significant effects or impairment in the following areas:

• Interpretation of the self and others
• Emotional reactions or responses
• Functioning in relationships
• Impulse control

In many cases, diagnosis and treatment require the aid of family members or close friends as the person may not be aware of or recognize the problem.

Court Ordered Diagnoses

In some cases, the court may order individuals with personality disorders to attain a professional clinical evaluation and diagnosis. In these cases, more severe consequences may be resulting from the person’s behavior, such as abuse or violence. The court or a parent may request a Child Custody Evaluation or "730 Evaluation" in cases such as these to determine whether one or both parents are not equipped or capable of raising their child.

A 730 Evaluation may be required when there are concerns of child abuse, substance abuse, mental health problems, disagreements on relocation, questionable parenting practices, disagreement on a custodial arrangement, or questionable upbringing on either side. The court may also require other evaluations in times of dispute or when a doctor recommends assessment of a physical or mental health condition.

Treatments for Personality Disorders

As personality disorders are often difficult to measure or diagnose, a combination of treatments can help to address multiple factors. The American Psychiatric Association asserts that various forms of psychotherapy help patients understand their condition, how their behavior affects themselves and others, and how to manage their symptoms and keep them at bay. One or more forms of psychotherapy may be used to help manage or treat personality disorders, while more severe cases may require certain medications to work in conjunction with therapy.

Psychotherapies that can help treat personality disorders include Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Group therapy, and Psychoeducation. In psychoeducation, a therapist helps educate the individual and family members about their specific disorder and helps them develop ways of coping. People with personality disorders are often given self-care management strategies to work on at home coupled with therapy. These include education, physical activity, substance avoidance, routine medical care, support groups, journaling, stress management, and social circles.