How does a therapist help with personality disorders?
Therapy is the main form of treatment for personality disorders. A therapist can help the individual gain insight into their disorder, understand what contributes to their symptoms, and also challenge dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviours and replace them with constructive ones. Therapy can also help the individual understand how their behaviour impacts others, learn ways to cope with their symptoms, and reduce problematic behaviours in interpersonal relationships.
How long is therapy required for the treatment of personality disorders?
The length of therapy required depends on the specific personality disorder, its severity, as well as the unique circumstances, insight, and willingness to change of the individual.
What approaches do therapists use to treat personality disorders?
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one effective approach that can help the patient identify, challenge, and rectify their dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours regarding themselves, others, and the world around them.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is another effective approach, especially for Borderline Personality Disorder, which can help in handling emotional distress and self-harm behaviour.
- Interpersonal therapy focuses on enhancing the patient’s relationships.
Can personality disorders get cured with therapy?
Personality disorders are difficult to cure as people with these have rigid and abnormal ways of thinking and functioning, and most of them may not have insight into having a problem, deny it, and even reject the presence of an issue. This is why long-term therapy is recommended.
