Personality disorder treatment for teens and adults

Everyone has personality traits — stable patterns of thinking and behaving that define who they are. A personality disorder is diagnosed when those patterns are extreme, inflexible, and cause significant distress or impairment across multiple areas of life. A clinician can help determine whether what someone is experiencing warrants a diagnosis.

The DSM-5 recognizes 10 personality disorders, organized into three clusters.

• Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders — often characterized by differences in how a person perceives and relates to the world.
• Cluster B includes borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, and histrionic personality disorders — often involving intense emotions and difficulties in relationships.
• Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders — often marked by anxiety and fear in social or relational contexts.

Cluster B disorders are most commonly seen in clinical settings. If you're unsure which type of personality disorder you or a loved one may be experiencing, Charlie Health's Clinical Team can help.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a Cluster B personality disorder marked by intense emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, an unstable sense of self, and impulsive behavior. Fear of abandonment — real or imagined — is a core feature. BPD is among the most prevalent personality disorders and has the strongest evidence base for treatment, particularly DBT.

Personality disorders develop from a combination of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. Childhood trauma, neglect, and disrupted attachment are strongly associated with their development — particularly for Cluster B disorders. Not everyone with these risk factors develops a personality disorder, and not everyone with a personality disorder has a trauma history.

Personality disorders are typically diagnosed in adulthood. In adolescents, diagnosis requires that patterns have been present and consistent for at least one year, and is made with the understanding that personality is still developing. Early identification and intervention in adolescence can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

Yes. Personality disorders were once considered largely untreatable, but research over the past three decades has produced effective, evidence-based treatments. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in particular has strong evidence for BPD, and many people with personality disorders experience significant improvement with appropriate care. Recovery is often a gradual process — but meaningful change is achievable. At Charlie Health, treatment is tailored to each client's specific diagnosis and needs.

Several evidence-based therapies are effective for treating personality disorders.

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was developed specifically for borderline personality disorder and remains the most extensively researched treatment. DBT’s skills modules in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness directly target the emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and relational instability that characterize many personality disorders.
• Other specialized approaches — including mentalization-based therapy (MBT) and transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) — have strong evidence for personality disorders and may be incorporated by individual clinicians based on their training and the client's needs.

Charlie Health's Clinical Team works with each client to determine the right combination of treatment options for their specific needs.

Any time patterns of thinking, feeling, or relating are causing significant distress or repeatedly disrupting relationships, work, or daily functioning. Many people with personality disorders spend years in distress before receiving an accurate diagnosis — earlier evaluation leads to better outcomes. Charlie Health's Admissions Team is available 24/7.

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a level of behavioral healthcare for people who need more support than traditional weekly therapy but don't require inpatient care. The goal is to help people manage mental health and substance use challenges while maintaining their daily routines and responsibilities. Our IOP is delivered to clients directly at home through a virtual platform. Each program runs 9–12 weeks and includes 10+ hours of care per week. That time is split across individual therapy and group sessions, with family therapy and psychiatry available when clinically indicated. Scheduling is flexible, with morning, afternoon, and evening options to fit around school, work, and other commitments.

Charlie Health is in-network with more than 600 insurance plans nationwide, including most major commercial plans, TRICARE, and Medicaid in select states. Most clients (60%) pay $0 out-of-pocket. To verify coverage, contact the Admissions Team directly or fill out the online intake form.