Many people dispute the wording of this diagnosis and it’s literal translation could be interpreted as a ‘disturbed person’. ​

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The word Personality can be defined as: the special combination of qualities or characteristics in a person that makes that person different from others, as shown by the way the person behaves, feels, and Disorder can be defined as a state of untidiness or lack of organisation.​

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Alternatively, the definition of Disorder could be defined as:​

• An illness of the mind or body​

• A state of confusion​

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Though the label is open to being stigmatised due to how it can be interpreted, it doesn’t really matter about the wording as long as you understand what a personality disorder is and why you are going through this journey.​

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Signs and Symptoms of a Personality Disorder

Symptoms vary depending on the type of personality disorder.​

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For example, a person with borderline personality disorder (one of the most common types) tends to have disturbed ways of thinking, impulsive behaviour and problems controlling their emotions.​

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They may have intense but unstable relationships and worry about people abandoning them.​

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A person with antisocial personality disorder will typically get easily frustrated and have difficulty controlling their anger.​

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They may blame other people for problems in their life, and be aggressive and violent, upsetting others with their behaviour.​

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Someone with a personality disorder may also have other mental health problems, such as depression and substance misuse.​

There is no definitive reason why someone would have a personality disorder but evidence shows that these three factors are contributors to the diagnosis: Biological, Psychological and Sociological. ​

Treatment:​

Personality Disorders cannot be treated just through medication. The NICE guidelines state that there is no evidence to suggest that medication is an effective treatment for Personality Disorders. ​

However, in cases where people have multiple diagnoses, medication may be recommended short term to help with other symptoms.​

Evidence shows that the best course, in terms of sustainability and efficacy, of treatment for Personality Disorders is therapy. ​

• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) – a treatment specifically developed for borderline/emotionally unstable personality disorder (BPD/EUPD). It uses individual and group therapy to help you learn skills to manage your emotions. ​

• Mentalisation-based therapy (MBT) – a long-term talking therapy which aims to improve your ability to recognise and understand your and other people's mental states, and to help you examine your thoughts about yourself and others to see if they're valid.​

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – aims to help you understand how your thoughts and beliefs might affect your feelings and behaviour. See our pages on CBT for more information.​

• Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) – combines CBT's practical methods with a focus on building a trusting relationship between you and your therapist who will help you make sense of your situation and find new, healthier ways to cope with your problems.​

• Therapeutic communities are programmes where you spend time in a group supporting each other to recover, with the help of a facilitator. Most therapeutic communities are residential (often in a large house) where you might stay for all or part of the week. Activities can include different types of individual or group therapy, as well as household chores and social activities. The Consortium for Therapeutic Communities provides a directory of therapeutic communities in the UK.​

• Other talking therapies – such as schema-focused cognitive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy or arts therapies. ​

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Safety Plans are documents which should be created on an individual basis for those who have difficulties with their mental health.​

It is beneficial to have a safety plan even if you are stable as it can be useful for when you have you have episodes​

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 A safety plan may look like this: