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Personality Disorders

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

What treatments are available? 

There are a range of treatments that can help you if you experience a personality disorder. These include: 

  • talking therapies 
  • therapeutic communities 
  • medication. 

For information on how to access treatment for a personality disorder and how to have a say in your treatment, see our information on: 

  • getting access to treatment 
  • having a say in your treatment. 

Can things improve for me? 

Sometimes people assume that it’s impossible to change, especially when it comes to our personality. But research is showing that this isn’t the case. With time and the right treatment for you, it is possible for things to change and improve. 

“All my life I have felt different, alienated and completely alone. It is only since my diagnosis of BPD that I began to understand why and, with help, to realise that I could actually do something to change those feelings and feel that I can achieve a life worth living.” 

Talking therapies More research needs to be done into which talking therapies can help people with personality disorders. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – the organisation that produces guidelines on best practice in health care – suggests that the following kinds of talking therapies may be helpful: 

  • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) – a treatment specifically developed for borderline personality disorder (BPD). It uses individual and group therapy to help you learn skills to manage your emotions. See our pages on DBT for more information. 

“The one-to-one sessions I received were invaluable. My therapist was able to help me understand the DBT skills I was learning and help me to apply them to my life. My greatest lesson was to learn to fail and to accept that this and continued practise was the key to using DBT.” 

  • Mentalisation-based therapy (MBT) – a long-term talking therapy which aims to improve your ability to recognise and understand your and other people’s mental states, and to help you examine your thoughts about yourself and others to see if they’re valid. 

“Mentalisation is best summed up as ‘thinking about thinking’. It is being able to understand our own mental state and that of other people, and how this effects our behaviour. I identified with it immediately, as I really struggle with identifying what my emotions are and where they come from.” 

NICE says that other types of talking therapy could also potentially be helpful, including the following: 

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – aims to help you understand how your thoughts and beliefs might affect your feelings and behaviour. See our pages on CBT for more information. 
  • Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) – combines CBT’s practical methods with a focus on building a trusting relationship between you and your therapist who will help you make sense of your situation and find new, healthier ways to cope with your problems. 
  • Other talking therapies – such as schema-focused cognitive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy or arts therapies. See our pages on talking therapies and arts therapies for more information. 

Therapeutic communities 

Therapeutic communities are programmes where you spend time in a group supporting each other to recover, with the help of a facilitator. Most therapeutic communities are residential (often in a large house) where you might stay for all or part of the week. Activities can include different types of individual or group therapy, as well as household chores and social activities. 

“I spent 18 months as part of a Therapeutic Community, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s changed my life. My mood swings are far less frequent, and it’s rare that they reach the extremes that they used to.” 

Medication 

There are no drugs specifically licensed for the treatment of personality disorders. Many people with personality disorders also have other mental health diagnoses though, such as depression, anxiety or psychosis, and may be prescribed medication for these. These medications could include antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers. 

Before you take any medication Before deciding to take any medication, make sure you have all the facts you need to feel confident about your decision. For guidance on the basic information you might want, see our pages on: 

  • what you should know before taking any psychiatric drug 
  • receiving the right medication for you 
  • your right to refuse medication. 

Where can I get treatment? 

To get treatment at governmental hospitals under the Hospital Authority, you can first visit your family doctor/GP, who can refer you to a specialist for an assessment, or you could contact your local Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW), who will be able to refer you to the Community Psychiatric Service of the Hospital Authority for further clinical assessment or psychiatric treatment.

If you receive treatment from governmental hospitals under the Hospital Authority, it should be in line with international guidelines. These say that: 

  • Anyone with possible personality disorder should have a structured assessment with a mental health specialist before being given a diagnosis. 
  • You should have a say in the type of treatment you’re offered. If you’re not getting the type of treatment you think would most help you, it could help to talk to an advocate. 

You can read the principles of care for people with a personality disorder and full guidelines and additional recommendations for BPD on the NICE website. 

Will I get the help I need in a crisis? 

Unfortunately, you might find that services in your area aren’t always able to provide the type of care you might find most helpful straight away, due to pressure on services. We know how frustrating and difficult it can be to cope with services that don’t provide the help you need, when you need it.

You can learn more about how to seek help in a crisis here.

Can I go private? 

Waiting times for talking treatments from the public sector can unfortunately be long. If you feel that you don’t want to wait and you can afford the expense, or would like to see a therapist who specialises in the types of experiences you have had, you may choose to see a counsellor or psychotherapist privately. 

See our pages on seeking help in hong kong for more information. 

How can I have a say in my treatment? 

A really important factor in your treatment is the relationship you form with the professionals who are helping you – whether they are a social worker, psychiatric nurse, therapist or psychiatrist. Having good treatment also depends on you being actively involved in it and having your say. You should expect to: 

  • Have your say in treatment – your doctor or psychiatrist should discuss all your treatment options with you, and your views and preferences should always be taken into account when making decisions about your treatment. 
  • Be involved in your care plan – a care plan is an agreement between you and the professionals you’re working with, about what you want to get out of your treatment. It should include the problems you want help with, any treatments you may need and planning for a crisis. 

“It was only when I met some dedicated professionals willing to go that extra mile that I started to change and believe in myself. I was able to begin therapy and develop a good trusting relationship which has been consistent and secure.” 

When don’t I have a choice in my treatment? You may not have a choice in your treatment if you: 

  • do not have mental capacity – this is where you are considered too unwell to make informed decisions about a specific situation – refer to the Mental Health Ordinance for more information 
  • are being kept in hospital under a section of the Mental Health Ordinance (sometimes called being sectioned) 
  • are being treated under a Community Treatment Order (CTO) – this means you are given supervised treatment in the community 
  • are being treated under a court order – this may be if you have committed an offence. 

See our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for more information.

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

What treatments are available?

What treatments are available? 

There are a range of treatments that can help you if you experience a personality disorder. These include: 

  • talking therapies 
  • therapeutic communities 
  • medication. 

For information on how to access treatment for a personality disorder and how to have a say in your treatment, see our information on: 

  • getting access to treatment 
  • having a say in your treatment. 

Can things improve for me? 

Sometimes people assume that it's impossible to change, especially when it comes to our personality. But research is showing that this isn't the case. With time and the right treatment for you, it is possible for things to change and improve. 

"All my life I have felt different, alienated and completely alone. It is only since my diagnosis of BPD that I began to understand why and, with help, to realise that I could actually do something to change those feelings and feel that I can achieve a life worth living." 

Talking therapies More research needs to be done into which talking therapies can help people with personality disorders. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – the organisation that produces guidelines on best practice in health care – suggests that the following kinds of talking therapies may be helpful: 

  • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) – a treatment specifically developed for borderline personality disorder (BPD). It uses individual and group therapy to help you learn skills to manage your emotions. See our pages on DBT for more information. 

"The one-to-one sessions I received were invaluable. My therapist was able to help me understand the DBT skills I was learning and help me to apply them to my life. My greatest lesson was to learn to fail and to accept that this and continued practise was the key to using DBT." 

  • Mentalisation-based therapy (MBT) – a long-term talking therapy which aims to improve your ability to recognise and understand your and other people's mental states, and to help you examine your thoughts about yourself and others to see if they're valid. 

"Mentalisation is best summed up as ‘thinking about thinking’. It is being able to understand our own mental state and that of other people, and how this effects our behaviour. I identified with it immediately, as I really struggle with identifying what my emotions are and where they come from." 

NICE says that other types of talking therapy could also potentially be helpful, including the following: 

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – aims to help you understand how your thoughts and beliefs might affect your feelings and behaviour. See our pages on CBT for more information. 
  • Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) – combines CBT's practical methods with a focus on building a trusting relationship between you and your therapist who will help you make sense of your situation and find new, healthier ways to cope with your problems. 
  • Other talking therapies – such as schema-focused cognitive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy or arts therapies. See our pages on talking therapies and arts therapies for more information. 

Therapeutic communities 

Therapeutic communities are programmes where you spend time in a group supporting each other to recover, with the help of a facilitator. Most therapeutic communities are residential (often in a large house) where you might stay for all or part of the week. Activities can include different types of individual or group therapy, as well as household chores and social activities. 

"I spent 18 months as part of a Therapeutic Community, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it's changed my life. My mood swings are far less frequent, and it's rare that they reach the extremes that they used to." 

Medication 

There are no drugs specifically licensed for the treatment of personality disorders. Many people with personality disorders also have other mental health diagnoses though, such as depression, anxiety or psychosis, and may be prescribed medication for these. These medications could include antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers. 

Before you take any medication Before deciding to take any medication, make sure you have all the facts you need to feel confident about your decision. For guidance on the basic information you might want, see our pages on: 

  • what you should know before taking any psychiatric drug 
  • receiving the right medication for you 
  • your right to refuse medication. 

Where can I get treatment? 

To get treatment at governmental hospitals under the Hospital Authority, you can first visit your family doctor/GP, who can refer you to a specialist for an assessment, or you could contact your local Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW), who will be able to refer you to the Community Psychiatric Service of the Hospital Authority for further clinical assessment or psychiatric treatment.

If you receive treatment from governmental hospitals under the Hospital Authority, it should be in line with international guidelines. These say that: 

  • Anyone with possible personality disorder should have a structured assessment with a mental health specialist before being given a diagnosis. 
  • You should have a say in the type of treatment you’re offered. If you’re not getting the type of treatment you think would most help you, it could help to talk to an advocate. 

You can read the principles of care for people with a personality disorder and full guidelines and additional recommendations for BPD on the NICE website. 

Will I get the help I need in a crisis? 

Unfortunately, you might find that services in your area aren’t always able to provide the type of care you might find most helpful straight away, due to pressure on services. We know how frustrating and difficult it can be to cope with services that don't provide the help you need, when you need it.

You can learn more about how to seek help in a crisis here.

Can I go private? 

Waiting times for talking treatments from the public sector can unfortunately be long. If you feel that you don’t want to wait and you can afford the expense, or would like to see a therapist who specialises in the types of experiences you have had, you may choose to see a counsellor or psychotherapist privately. 

See our pages on seeking help in hong kong for more information. 

How can I have a say in my treatment? 

A really important factor in your treatment is the relationship you form with the professionals who are helping you – whether they are a social worker, psychiatric nurse, therapist or psychiatrist. Having good treatment also depends on you being actively involved in it and having your say. You should expect to: 

  • Have your say in treatment – your doctor or psychiatrist should discuss all your treatment options with you, and your views and preferences should always be taken into account when making decisions about your treatment. 
  • Be involved in your care plan – a care plan is an agreement between you and the professionals you're working with, about what you want to get out of your treatment. It should include the problems you want help with, any treatments you may need and planning for a crisis. 

"It was only when I met some dedicated professionals willing to go that extra mile that I started to change and believe in myself. I was able to begin therapy and develop a good trusting relationship which has been consistent and secure." 

When don't I have a choice in my treatment? You may not have a choice in your treatment if you: 

  • do not have mental capacity – this is where you are considered too unwell to make informed decisions about a specific situation – refer to the Mental Health Ordinance for more information 
  • are being kept in hospital under a section of the Mental Health Ordinance (sometimes called being sectioned) 
  • are being treated under a Community Treatment Order (CTO) – this means you are given supervised treatment in the community 
  • are being treated under a court order – this may be if you have committed an offence. 

See our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for more information.