Personality Disorder
Personality disorder is a mental health disorder and emotional illness that is very serious. Someone with personality disorder does not have a normal sense of their self identity, and they have an excessive fear of abandonment. This condition may also be called borderline personality disorder, or BPD, and while an exact disorder cause and progression is not completely known there are a number of symptoms and risk factors. People with this condition may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Impulsive behavior
- Personal relationship problems and conflicts
- Engaging in relationships which are chaotic and very intense
- Mood swings which can be severe
- A self image which is poor
- Emotionally needy
- Clingy
- Dependent
- Emotional volatility
There are a number of risk factors for personality disorder, and almost half of the individuals diagnosed with this condition also had a history of sexual abuse at an early age. Sexual abuse at any time in childhood, especially by a parental or authority figure, can greatly increase the risk of developing personality disorder. Abandonment in childhood or the teen years can also increase the risk of developing this condition, and so can a home life that is chaotic or disruptive and dysfunctional. A personality disorder is also more likely if you have a close family member with this condition, or if there is poor communication between family members.
Personality disorder is an illness that affects almost two percent of the American population, but only a little more than forty percent of those who have this condition receive any type of medical treatment. The rest either suffer as their symptoms worsen until they can no longer function or turn to substance abuse to help self medicate. Substance abuse and personality disorder requires a dual diagnosis, because there are two conditions present, and both of the conditions must be treated at the same time for successful results.
There is effective help available for those who have a personality disorder and addiction, but it is important to choose the right treatment facility, one that specializes in treating addiction and mental health disorders both. Detox in this situation must be closely monitored, and you must be free of drugs and alcohol before medication therapy can be started. Treatment for a personality disordercan include individual counseling, group therapy sessions, behavioral therapy, mood stabilizer medications, antidepressant drugs, and antipsychotics. Each individual is different, and will respond differently to specific treatment method combinations.
