How to distinguish between various diseases and personality disorders

As society seems to be moving towards a more open discussion of anxiety and depression, there still seems to be a lack of understanding of other mental health diagnoses such as personality disorders. There is still a significant stigma surrounding personality disorders, and therefore considerable shame in recognizing symptoms and seeking appropriate treatment. Knowing more about what personality disorders are (and aren’t) can start to break down these barriers.

Throughout this article, we’ll take a look at the reality of what personality disorders are, how to distinguish between various diseases and personality disorders, and what treatment for personality disorders looks like.

What are personality disorders?

Personality disorders are mental health issues that affect the way a person thinks, feels, and interacts with others. A person with a personality disorder is likely to experience significant distress and difficulty in their day-to-day functioning because of the way they think, react and relate to others. It is estimated that around 9% of the population suffers from a personality disorder, although many people do not even recognize that they may have one.

There are different types of personality disorders that are classified into groups A, B and C. These categories refer to unconventional or suspicious behavior, difficulties with emotional regulation and impulsivity, and anxious or fear-based behavior. in relationships. Examples of personality disorders include borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and dependent personality disorder. Each condition has its own unique set of signs and symptoms, although they all involve long-standing unhealthy patterns that create problems in interpersonal relationships.

Misdiagnosing personality disorders

It is common to confuse certain personality disorders with other types of chronic brain disease and mental health diagnoses. For example, borderline personality disorder is often misdiagnosed as bipolar II disorder because they share common symptoms, such as impulsive behavior and difficulties with emotional regulation. There is also some evidence showing that men are significantly underdiagnosed with personality disorders, which may be due to gender roles and toxic ideas of masculinity in our culture.

Many people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are also diagnosed with other mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug use disorders. substances, etc. fall through the cracks. It is crucial that an individual receives the correct diagnosis so that they can receive the appropriate treatment if a personality disorder is present.

Treatment of personality disorders

Despite the popular myth, personality disorders are actually treatable. Certain types of psychotherapy such as psychoanalytic therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) have been shown to be effective in treating personality disorders. Although there are no medications specifically used to treat personality disorders, some medications can be helpful in treating symptoms of anxiety, depression, or moodiness. It is also beneficial for people with personality disorders to develop healthy lifestyle habits and stress management strategies.

Seeking help for a personality disorder

If you notice a long-standing unhealthy dynamic in your relationships or difficulty controlling your emotions or behaviors, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Support is available to help you understand what you are going through, manage your symptoms, and develop healthier relationships.