18. Individuals with Personality Disorders are often viewed as an especially cha

Question

18. Individuals with Personality Disorders are often viewed as an especially challenging group to threat using psychotherapy. Discuss the specific obstacles that contribute to the low success rates of psychotherapeutic treatment approaches. What special considerations must the psychologist/therapist keep in mind when treating someone with a Personality Disorder? What type or types of personality disorders would you find most challenging to treat given your personality make-up? Include specific traits of yours that would warrant your greatest attention (self-monitoring) while conducting therapy

Explanation / Answer

Personality disorders are a group of disorders which are characterized by a persistent pattern maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. The personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder among others. Personalty disorders have a long and complex pattern of development in an individuals and affects various aspects of their lives such as their relationship with others and faulty thought patterns, which makes it very challenging for a therapist to understand the condition itself, let alone treating it. People with personality disorder often consider themselves to not have any mental health issues and may not seek treatment.The therapist may also feel discouraged in treating individuals with personality disorders as the individual may be very resistant and will not open up to the therapist. The therapist may also feel that there is lack of progress in the treatment and the client is not improving, which can be very challenging.

While treating personality disorders, the therapist has to keep consider certain things in therapy. The therapist has to be realistic in his goal and know that, as a long standing disorder, it is very difficult to drastically change the behavior of the client. The therapist should know that he will have to deal with initial resistance and the progress will be slow, there may not be immediate results seen. Borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorders are very challenging disorders to treat, as in borderline personality disorder, it is very difficult to manage the self harm, emotional disturbances and core beliefs of the clients. In antisocial personality disorder, the clients may be very manipulative with therapist and may lie profusely, and may not be willing to change their behavior.

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