Personality Disorder Treatment in Los Angeles
- Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Lucille Thomas
Recovery is Possible
Personality Disorder Treatment: Your Path to Recovery
Living with a personality disorder can feel isolating and overwhelming. These conditions affect how you think, feel, and interact with others, often creating significant challenges in relationships, work, and daily life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 9% of U.S. adults experience a personality disorder at some point in their lives.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with a personality disorder in the Los Angeles area, know that effective treatment is available. Absolute Recovery Therapeutic Solutions (The ARTS) in West Hills, CA, offers comprehensive personality disorder treatment Los Angeles residents can trust. Our outpatient services are designed to address personality disorders, including specialized tracks for primary mental health and dual diagnosis treatment when addiction is also present.
This guide will help you understand personality disorders, explore proven treatment options, and take the first step toward lasting recovery.
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What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are mental health conditions characterized by enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that differ significantly from cultural expectations. Unlike temporary mood changes or personality quirks we all experience, personality disorders are persistent and inflexible, typically emerging in adolescence or early adulthood.
These patterns often cause distress and impair functioning across multiple areas of life. Someone with a personality disorder may struggle to:
- Maintain healthy relationships
- Regulate emotions effectively
- View themselves and others realistically
- Control impulses
- Adapt to different social situations
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes ten distinct personality disorders, grouped into three clusters:
- Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders
- Cluster B (Dramatic or Erratic): Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders
- Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders
The Connection Between Personality Disorders and Addiction
Research shows a strong link between personality disorders and substance use disorders. People with personality disorders are significantly more likely to develop addiction, and those struggling with addiction often have an underlying personality disorder.
This connection exists for several reasons. Some individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the emotional pain, instability, or interpersonal difficulties their personality disorder creates. Others may use substances to manage intense emotions or fill an inner sense of emptiness. The impulsivity characteristic of certain personality disorders can also increase vulnerability to addiction.
When both conditions exist simultaneously, it’s called a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Treating both conditions together is essential for lasting recovery, as addressing only one often leads to relapse or continued struggles with the untreated condition.
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What We Offer
Our Comprehensive Personality Disorder Treatment Los Angeles Services
Effective treatment for personality disorders requires a comprehensive approach tailored to each individual’s specific needs. While treatment plans vary, several evidence-based approaches have proven successful.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, forms the cornerstone of our personality disorder treatment Los Angeles services. Several specialized therapeutic approaches have shown particularly strong results:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed for borderline personality disorder but has since proven effective for other conditions as well. DBT teaches skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help individuals manage intense emotions and improve relationships.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and change problematic thought patterns and behaviors. For personality disorders, CBT can address distorted beliefs about oneself and others, reduce destructive behaviors, and develop healthier coping strategies.
- Schema Therapy combines elements of CBT with other therapeutic approaches to address deeply ingrained patterns (schemas) that developed during childhood. This approach is particularly effective for personality disorders because it targets the root causes of dysfunctional patterns.6
- Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) helps individuals better understand their own mental states and those of others. This improved understanding leads to better emotional regulation and healthier relationships.
While no medications are specifically approved to treat personality disorders themselves, psychiatric medications can effectively manage specific symptoms or co-occurring conditions. Your treatment team may recommend:
- Antidepressants for depression or anxiety symptoms
- Mood stabilizers to help regulate emotional fluctuations
- Antipsychotic medications for distorted thinking or severe anxiety
- Anti-anxiety medications for acute anxiety (typically short-term use)
Medication is most effective when combined with psychotherapy rather than used alone. At The ARTS, we prioritize a holistic approach to treatment and work closely with our clients to find the right medication regimen for their individual needs.
Group therapy provides a unique opportunity to practice new skills in a supportive environment. Participants learn from others’ experiences, reduce feelings of isolation, and receive feedback on their interpersonal patterns. Many people find that connecting with others who face similar challenges is both validating and healing.
For those struggling with both a personality disorder and addiction, integrated dual diagnosis treatment is essential. This approach addresses both conditions simultaneously through coordinated care that recognizes how each condition affects the other.
At The ARTS, our dual diagnosis track provides:
- Comprehensive assessment of both mental health and substance use
- Integrated treatment planning that addresses all presenting concerns
- Evidence-based therapies proven effective for co-occurring disorders
- Medication management when appropriate
- Skills training for managing triggers and preventing relapse
- Family education and support
This integrated approach leads to better outcomes than treating either condition in isolation.
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Taking the First Step Toward Recovery
Recovery from a personality disorder is absolutely possible. With proper treatment and support, people with personality disorders can develop healthier patterns of thinking and relating, manage their emotions more effectively, and build fulfilling lives.
The journey begins with reaching out for help. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and ready to start your recovery, Absolute Recovery Therapeutic Solutions in West Hills offers the comprehensive, compassionate care you need. Our team understands the unique challenges of personality disorders and provides evidence-based treatment through both primary mental health and dual diagnosis tracks.
Don’t let a personality disorder continue to control your life. Contact The ARTS today to learn more about our outpatient treatment programs and take the first step toward lasting change.
