If your teen is displaying disruptive behaviors that go beyond the typical teenage “acting out,” they may be struggling with a mental health concern. Around three percent of people under age 18 are diagnosed with a personality disorder each year. The mental health treatment programs for teens ages 12-17 at Imagine Nampa can help your teen learn how to manage a personality disorder and improve their ability to function socially, emotionally, and academically. Call Imagine Nampa 888.503.4604 today for more information.
What Is a Personality Disorder?
Personality disorders are a grouping of mental illnesses categorized into three different clusters. People with personality disorders may have trouble perceiving reality or relating to other people.
These differences can cause a significant challenge to how a person maintains relationships or performs at work or school. Many people don’t recognize they have signs of a personality disorder because their way of thinking and acting seems natural to them.
It is common for personality disorders to develop during the teen years. The good news is that proper treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of some personality disorders. Participating in a personality disorder treatment program allows teens to explore their behaviors in a non-judgmental, therapeutic setting and learn new skills to help them reach their wellness goals.
Causes of Personality Disorder
Most experts agree that both environmental and genetic factors play large roles in developing a personality disorder. Children who have suffered trauma, such as sexual trauma, bullying, and verbal abuse, may be at higher risk of developing certain personality disorders. Children who were overexposed to stimuli like light and noise at a very young age may also carry greater risk.
During a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP), a mental health professional works with the patient to help identify the probable root of the disorder.
Understanding when and where symptoms began helps trauma-informed therapists design the most effective treatment plan for that individual. Because this exploration of the past is so vital to the patient’s treatment, it’s crucial that teens feel comfortable in a therapeutic setting and speak honestly about their lives.
Types of Personality Disorders
The signs and symptoms of personality disorders can be challenging to spot, especially among adolescents and teens for whom drama and reactivity are natural. If your child’s behaviors are causing trouble at school or home or limiting their ability to function socially, getting a mental health evaluation can help you both understand what’s really going on.
There are three major types of personality disorders:
- Cluster A: Characterized by eccentric or odd thinking and behaviors. Includes schizoid, paranoid, and schizotypal personality disorders
- Cluster B: Disorders in this cluster are characterized by overly emotional or dramatic behavior and unpredictability and include borderline, histrionic, antisocial, and narcissistic personality disorders
- Cluster C: Fearful thinking and anxious behavior characterize this group, which includes dependent, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders
A person can be diagnosed with more than one personality disorder at a time. This makes evaluation an essential part of any PHP or IOP.
How Does a Personality Disorder Treatment Program Help?
Without treatment, personality disorder symptoms can continue to get more extreme. While there is no “cure” for a personality disorder, the right therapies can help a person understand and reduce unwanted behaviors. The types of treatments used in a treatment program depend on the specific disorder a person has been diagnosed with, the severity of the disorder, and the individual’s mental health goals. Therapies may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Psychoanalytic therapy
- Education (teaching the patient and family members about ways of coping with the illness)
In some cases, medications may also be appropriate. There are no medications specifically for personality disorders, but treatment for anxiety or depression can be a valuable part of the overall treatment plan.
Find a Personality Disorder Treatment Program in Nampa, ID, at Imagine Nampa
With the proper treatment and support, teens can learn to change some of their unwanted behaviors and find coping strategies for the stressors in their lives. If you’re searching for a personality disorder treatment program in Nampa, ID, call Imagine Nampa today at 888.503.4604.