Psychiatric Care for Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are enduring and inflexible patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that deviate significantly from cultural expectations and cause distress or impair an individual’s ability to function.

Although everyone has unique personality traits, people with personality disorders often exhibit extreme or rigid behaviors that interfere with relationships, work, or daily life. While some may be unaware of the impact of their personality traits, others experience intense internal conflict that leads to maladaptive coping mechanisms such as self-harm, disordered eating, substance use, promiscuity, or suicidal ideation.

These conditions are typically diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional after the age of 18. However, since personality traits continue to develop into early adulthood—around age 25—early intervention can significantly improve outcomes related to education, career, emotional health, and interpersonal relationships.

How Common Are Personality Disorders?

In the United States, approximately 9% of adults meet the criteria for at least one personality disorder.

What Causes Personality Disorders?

Personality traits are shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Current research indicates that the heritability of personality disorders ranges from 35% to 60%, depending on the specific diagnosis.

However, this does not mean a child has a 35–60% chance of developing the same disorder as a parent. Even among identical twins, the concordance rate is only about 50%, highlighting the critical role of environment, early relationships, trauma, nutrition, and exposure to toxins in shaping personality and the risk for developing a disorder.

What Are Personality Disorder “Clusters”?

Mental health professionals in the U.S. classify the ten recognized personality disorders into three clusters: A, B, and C. These groupings help clinicians and researchers better understand shared characteristics and determine appropriate treatment strategies.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

These disorders involve eccentric or odd thought and behavior patterns and include:

• Paranoid Personality Disorder
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors often driven by intense emotions:

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Histrionic Personality Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Antisocial Personality Disorder

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Marked by anxious or fearful behaviors and cognitive patterns:

• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

When Should I See a Mental Health Professional or Personality Disorder Psychiatrist?

If your emotional responses, behaviors, or thoughts cause persistent distress or interfere with work, school, or relationships, it’s time to consult a personality disorder psychiatrist or licensed mental health provider.

In situations where dangerous or harmful coping strategies are present—such as substance misuse, self-injury, compulsive gambling, or suicidal thoughts—an immediate evaluation is essential. If there is a risk of self-harm or suicide, please call 911 or 988 right away rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.

What Treatments Are Available for Personality Disorders?

Treatment options vary and may include a combination of therapies and medications tailored to the individual’s needs:

• Psychotherapy: Includes modalities such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapies, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), especially helpful for individuals dealing with trauma-related symptoms.
• Medication Management: May be used to manage severe symptoms or co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, OCD, or PTSD.
• Group Therapy: Offers support, accountability, and shared coping strategies for individuals with similar challenges.
• Behavioral Strategies: Interventions can include lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, incorporating exercise, and using meditation practices to help manage emotions more effectively.

A skilled personality disorder psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner can guide patients through the process of diagnosis and ongoing treatment, often in collaboration with other professionals such as therapists or community-based program providers.

Types of Personality Disorders We Treat

The providers at Fine Tune Psychiatry are able to treat individuals who have any of the personality disorders listed above (Cluster A, B and C). With that said, some providers may be more experienced with treating certain types of personality disorders, and we recommend that you speak directly to our scheduling specialists about your specific difficulties, so that you’re scheduled with the best fit. Some of the more common personality disorders that we treat include:

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
• And others….

Why Choose Fine Tune Psychiatry for Personality Disorder Treatment?

At Fine Tune Psychiatry, our team is composed of highly trained, academically oriented professionals who specialize in the treatment of complex psychiatric conditions, including personality disorders. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that each patient receives comprehensive and individualized care.

• Appointments typically available within 2-3 weeks
• Highly trained clinicians from institutions like Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
• Academic providers, many of whom are published and/or maintain academic titles at local institutions
• Comprehensive, patient-centered care
• Coordination with your other healthcare providers
• Most major commercial insurance plans accepted
• 60-minute evaluation sessions and 20-30-minute follow-ups
• An inclusive, supportive environment for all individuals

Please note that while we offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management, we may refer patients to specialized programs such as community-based DBT therapy for specific treatment needs. In many cases, we coordinate care with external providers to ensure the best outcome for the patient.