What are Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders are characterized by deeply ingrained, inflexible, and pervasive patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that cause significant distress or impairment in social, work, or other functional areas. These patterns usually begin in adolescence or early adulthood. Dr. Behara offers specialized assessment and care for various types, including Schizoid Personality Disorder (detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (instability in relationships, self-image, emotions, and marked impulsivity).

Achieving Stability and Better Relationships

Effective treatment for personality disorders is a process focused on long-term skill building and emotional regulation. Dr. Behara provides expert diagnosis, differentiating these disorders from other mental illnesses. For BPD, in particular, treatment often involves specialized, evidence-based psychotherapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Common Issues We Address

• Instability in relationships, self-image, and mood (Borderline).

• Chronic feelings of emptiness or intense fear of abandonment.

• Emotional detachment and indifference to praise or criticism (Schizoid).

• Impulsive and self-destructive behaviors.

• Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or self-harm.

• Difficulties maintaining stable employment or long-term relationships.

Integrated Therapeutic Management

Treatment under Dr. Behara blends specialized psychotherapy with carefully managed pharmacotherapy to target associated symptoms such as severe mood swings, anxiety, or depression. The goal is to help patients develop a more stable sense of self, learn to regulate intense emotions, and build healthier, more satisfying relationships.

How to Support Someone with a Personality Disorder

• Validate their feelings: Even if their reaction seems extreme, acknowledge the feeling behind the behavior ("I see you are feeling intensely frustrated right now").

• Set calm, clear boundaries: Boundaries are critical for managing BPD symptoms like impulsivity or intense relationship patterns. Be consistent and calm when enforcing them.

• Encourage use of learned skills: When a crisis occurs, gently prompt them to use the coping skills they are learning in DBT or other therapies.

• Focus on long-term stability: Understand that recovery is slow. Celebrate small steps toward behavioral change and emotional regulation.