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Personality disorders can deeply affect how individuals view themselves and interact with others. These complex conditions often result in difficulties with emotions, behaviour, and relationships, disrupting daily life.
At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we provide specialised treatments for a range of personality disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), and others, using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and medication management.
What are personality disorders?
Personality disorders are enduring patterns of behaviour, thoughts, and emotions that deviate from societal expectations and cause significant distress or impairment. They usually emerge in adolescence or early adulthood and persist throughout life.
Individuals with personality disorders often struggle to relate to others, leading to difficulties in maintaining healthy relationships and managing emotions.
There are 10 types of personality disorders, categorised into three clusters:
Cluster A (odd or eccentric disorders): Paranoid Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, and Schizotypal Personality Disorder.
Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders): Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Cluster C (anxious or fearful disorders): Avoidant Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
Symptoms of personality disorders
Symptoms of personality disorders vary widely depending on the specific type, but common signs may include:
Unstable or distorted self-image
Difficulty maintaining close relationships
Intense mood swings or emotional instability
Risky or impulsive behaviours
Paranoia or suspicious thoughts
A strong fear of rejection or abandonment
A lack of empathy for others
Chronic feelings of emptiness or low self-worth
If left untreated, these symptoms can severely impact a person’s ability to function in daily life, affecting their personal and professional relationships.
Get in touch with our dedicated team today for highly specialised personality disorder treatment in London
If you need help with a personality disorder, please reach out to our caring team in London today. We have appointments available in as little as 24 hours so you can begin treatment with minimal wait.
To access private treatment as swiftly as possible, simply complete our Online Registration Form & Screening Questionnaire at any time to suit you.
How much does personality disorder treatment cost?
The cost of different types of treatment, therapy or support will vary. See our full breakdown of our prices and funding options for more information or specific costs.
Types of personality disorders we treat
At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we provide comprehensive care for various personality disorders, focusing on individualised treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. For example:
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline Personality Disorder is characterised by emotional instability, intense fear of abandonment, impulsive behaviours, and difficulty maintaining stable relationships. BPD symptoms often include frequent mood swings, chronic feelings of emptiness, and difficulties in managing anger.
Our approach to BPD treatment typically involves Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which teaches patients how to manage their emotions, improve relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviours. Patients also benefit from one-on-one therapy sessions and group-based interventions to enhance emotional regulation.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissistic Personality Disorder involves an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. NPD symptoms often manifest as arrogance, entitlement, and difficulty accepting criticism.
Treatment for NPD focuses on helping patients understand how their behaviour affects others and fostering empathy through therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is frequently used to challenge distorted thought patterns and encourage healthier interactions with others.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder often experience extreme sensitivity to rejection, feelings of inadequacy, and a tendency to avoid social situations. These symptoms lead to isolation and a diminished sense of self-worth.
CBT is an effective treatment for Avoidant Personality Disorder, helping patients reframe their negative thinking patterns and gradually become more comfortable in social settings. Therapy at Schoen Clinic Chelsea focuses on reducing avoidance behaviours and building self-confidence.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder is marked by attention-seeking behaviour, excessive emotionality, and a need for approval. Individuals may feel uncomfortable when they are not the centre of attention and often exhibit dramatic or theatrical behaviours.
Our treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder includes psychotherapy, with a focus on identifying the underlying causes of attention-seeking behaviours and developing healthier ways to express emotions.
Diagnosis of personality disorders
Diagnosing a personality disorder requires a comprehensive psychological assessment. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we take a holistic approach to diagnosis, involving interviews, standardised psychological tests, and input from family members or loved ones when appropriate.
Our expert clinicians use these tools to evaluate the individual’s patterns of thinking, behaviour, and emotional responses. Accurate diagnosis is crucial in developing an effective treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs.
We might also ask you some more questions about your thoughts and feelings and might observe you in certain situations with others, and understand how you respond. This is all done at our comfortable and discreet facilities, and you won't be under any pressure other than to be yourself. It's important to undergo these steps to understand the nature of your issues. Each person is an individual, so we'll tailor our diagnosis procedure to understand what's causing your concerns.
Evidence-based treatment for personality disorders
At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we specialise in providing a variety of evidence-based therapies for personality disorders. Each treatment plan is customised to meet the specific needs of the patient, combining therapies such as:
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT is highly effective for treating Borderline Personality Disorder and helps patients develop better emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is widely used for treating a range of personality disorders by helping patients challenge and change negative thought patterns.
Schema therapy: This therapy combines elements of CBT and other modalities to address deep-rooted, dysfunctional patterns developed early in life, often used in treating Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Avoidant Personality Disorder.
Medication management: In some cases, medication may be used to manage co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression that are often present in individuals with personality disorders.
Our multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists work closely together to ensure each patient receives the most effective, personalised care.
Personality disorder FAQs
How do I cope with my personality disorder?
Self-care is an important and often overlooked aspect of recovery from a personality disorder. From simple coping methods such as slowing down, making a cup of tea, or talking to someone close, to more long-term strategies that require specialist guidance and intervention, there are many things an individual can do to help with the day-to-day realities of recovering from a mental health condition.
Can a personality disorder be cured?
Many people who suffer from personality disorders can recover over time. Unlike some medical conditions, recovery from mental health conditions like personality disorder can be a long road, requiring a strong support network, the right medical diagnosis and bespoke treatment plan, and effective aftercare to aid long-term recovery.
Can a GP diagnose a personality disorder?
Generally, no - a personality disorder is often a complex, nuanced series of issues which requires a specialist diagnosis from a mental health professional. If you have concerns before or after speaking to your GP, contact our team who can help you with an initial assessment.
Why choose Schoen Clinic Chelsea for personality disorder treatment?
Schoen Clinic Chelsea is a leading private healthcare provider with extensive experience in treating personality disorders. By choosing private treatment, patients benefit from:
Immediate access to care without long waiting times
Personalised treatment plans tailored to the individual
Confidential and discreet therapy sessions
A team of highly experienced and compassionate specialists
The latest evidence-based treatment methods.
We understand that living with a personality disorder can be challenging, but with the right support, individuals can lead fulfilling lives. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our goal is to empower patients to overcome their difficulties and build stronger relationships, better emotional balance, and improved quality of life. Meet our expert team below.
