This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified professional. If this is an emergency, call 911 or 988.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.
How we think about ourselves and connect with other people is shaped over a lifetime — and when those patterns cause real distress or strain relationships, support can help. Personality disorders and difficult attachment patterns are more common than people realize, and they respond to treatment. Below are the therapies that genuinely help, what to expect when you reach out, and how to find support where you live.
Your treatment options
The most effective help here is usually specialized talk therapy, often over time:
- Structured, evidence-based therapy. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-established for intense emotions and relationship difficulties, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps with unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Other specialized therapies focus directly on relationships and sense of self.
- A strong, consistent therapy relationship. For personality and attachment work, the ongoing relationship with a skilled therapist is often the engine of change.
- Medication, when it helps. There’s no single medication for a personality disorder, but medication can ease co-occurring symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
- The right level of care. Most work happens in regular outpatient therapy; some people benefit from more structured programs such as an intensive outpatient program for a period.
Browse our treatment guides, and remember a short conversation can help you find the right starting point.
What happens when you call
If you use the helpline on this page, here’s exactly what to expect:
- A specialist answers and asks a few questions about what you’re going through.
- It’s a no-pressure conversation. There’s no obligation, and you can stop any time.
- They can help you understand options, including cost and insurance.
- This is an advertising-supported service: calls are answered by a paid advertiser, not by Get Mental Help. If you’d rather not use it, the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) runs 24/7, and 988 is always available if you’re in crisis.
Find help in your state
Options, coverage, and costs differ by state. Use Find Help by State for your state’s mental-health agency, Medicaid coverage, crisis lines, and free or low-cost programs — part of our State of Mental Health Access data.
What treatment costs
Cost depends on the type of care, your insurance, and where you live, so there’s no single number. A few things that help:
- Insurance and Medicaid generally cover mental health treatment; coverage varies by plan and state.
- Free and low-cost options exist everywhere — the SAMHSA National Helpline, 988, community mental health centers, and sliding-scale clinics.
- A specialist or your state’s resources can help you find care that fits your budget.
From our clinical review. People sometimes fear that a personality diagnosis means “this is just who I am, forever.” It doesn’t. These patterns formed for understandable reasons, often early and protectively — and with the right therapy, they can genuinely change. I’ve watched people rebuild relationships they thought were beyond repair.
If you’re ready, talk to someone about your options now — it’s free to call and there’s no obligation. You can also explore attachment issues, codependency and enabling, and narcissistic personality disorder.
Frequently asked questions
What are personality disorders?
Personality disorders are long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to others that differ from what's expected and cause distress or problems in relationships, work, or daily life. They are more common than many people realize, and — importantly — they respond to treatment, especially specialized talk therapy.
How do attachment patterns relate to all this?
Attachment refers to how we bond and seek closeness, shaped largely by early relationships. Attachment styles aren't disorders, but insecure patterns can make relationships harder and often overlap with the struggles seen in personality difficulties. Therapy can help people build more secure, satisfying connections.
Can these patterns change?
Yes. While personality patterns are long-standing, they are not fixed for life. Evidence-based therapies — such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and other structured approaches — help people change unhelpful patterns and build healthier relationships. Only a qualified professional can diagnose a personality disorder.
Sources
- Personality Disorders — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Personality Disorders — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Personality — American Psychological Association (APA)
- Mental Health Conditions — National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Reviewed against the sources above. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.