Personality disorders

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At first, people with these disorders usually do not seek treatment on their own. They tend to seek help once their behavior has caused severe problems in their relationships or work, or when they are diagnosed with another psychiatric problem, such as a mood or substance abuse disorder.

Although personality disorders take time to treat, there is increasing evidence that certain forms of talk therapy can help many people. In some cases, medications can be a useful addition to therapy.

The outlook varies. Some personality disorders go away during middle age without any treatment, while others only improve slowly throughout life, even with treatment.

• Problems with relationships
• Problems with career
• Other psychiatric disorders

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or mental health professional if you or someone close to you has symptoms of a personality disorder.

Review Date: 11/14/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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