A personality disorder is a term used to describe long-term problems that affect how a person:
- Thinks
- Feels
- Behaves
- Gets along with others
These problems can make daily life hard for the person and sometimes for the people around them.
Not everyone who attends SUN groups has a personality disorder
However, everyone who comes to the service is dealing with long-term difficulties like the ones described below.
How it might feel
People using our service often:
- Know they are having difficulties
- May feel stuck or worried that nothing can help
- May have asked for help before but not found it useful
Common difficulties
Not everyone experiences the same problems, but people may struggle with some of the following:
Feelings and emotions
- Strong feelings that are hard to manage
- Quick changes in mood
- Feeling anxious or low (depressed)
Coping with stress
- Finding it hard to deal with everyday pressures
- Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope
Behaviour
- Trying to cope in harmful ways, such as:
- Hurting themselves
- Using alcohol or drugs
- Losing control of their temper
Relationships
- Finding it hard to get along with others
- Feeling anxious around people
- Acting distant or keeping people at a distance
- Having intense or unstable relationships
Impact on daily life
These difficulties can make it hard to:
- Keep a job
- Maintain a home or tenancy
- Build and keep relationships
Why it is called a “personality” disorder
When these patterns have been there for a long time, they can become part of how a person:
- Thinks
- Feels
- Acts
These are sometimes called personality traits.
If these traits cause serious problems in someone’s life, they may be described as a personality disorder.