This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.- About Personality Disorders
There are a number of personality disorders that a person may experience. Generally, if an individual has symptoms of a disorder of this type, they might act in a manner that isn’t acceptable. This can be a cause for concern. Here’s a look at other things to be aware of when it comes to personality disorders.
What is a Personality Disorder?
Your personality is the way that you think and behave, and everyone’s personality is different. When an individual has a personality disorder, they may express behavior that is completely different than the way that they should be acting. There are a number of personality disorders including narcissistic personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
If you are interested in this subject, check out BetterHelp for more information on personality disorders.
Causes
There are a few causes that are associated with personality disorders.
One is genetics. If there is someone in your family that has experienced a personality disorder, this could mean you have a greater chance of developing one.
If someone in your family has other mental health concerns, this could put you at a greater risk as well.
Another possible cause are the conditions that you grew up in. If you were exposed to a dysfunctional upbringing or neglect, this could lead to issues with personality.
Treatments
If you think that you or someone you care about may have a personality disorder, it is important that they work with a therapist to find out more.
Therapy
Therapy can help when you have a personality disorder. A mental health professional is someone that you can talk to about what you are going through, and you should also tell them about the symptoms that you are experiencing. They may be able to lend a hand in determining how to lessen certain symptoms and teach you to change the way you think or act in some circumstances.
Medicines
Another course of action is medicines. There are no prescriptions that are able to treat personality disorders, but they can alleviate certain symptoms. Be sure that you are honest with your therapist about your symptoms and if the medicines are able to lessen them. There are usually multiple options available if you do not see relief from one medicine. Try not to simply stop taking your prescriptions just because you don’t like them. Speak with your therapist about making changes first and remember that medicines can take weeks or months to work properly, so be as patient as possible.
Exercise
Depending on the symptoms you experience, you may also find benefit from exercising. When you get your body moving, this can burn off excess energy, which may be able to help you sleep better at night. Moreover, it can allow you to work through stress and anxiety, since you aren’t sitting around worrying. You can start small if you don’t currently exercise and work your way up to 30 minutes a day, five days each week.
See Your Doctor
In addition to meeting with your therapist, you should also get checked out regularly. In some cases, mental health issues are connected to physical health concerns. However, when you are seeing your doctor frequently, they will be able to offer you treatment concerning any health condition, so it can be addressed quickly. This can be helpful when it comes to managing symptoms.
Conclusion
There are a number of personality disorders that an individual may experience. Some might cause them to isolate themselves or believe things that aren’t true. The proper treatment for this type of disorder is therapy, and a psychologist may also prescribe medicines for severe symptoms. Keep in mind that personality disorders are treatable, so if you think you have one, be sure to stay informed on the subject and learn as much as you can. Then you may feel comfortable reaching out for mental health support.