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When patterns of thinking and feeling make life harder

Personality Disorder Support Across The North East

Specialist therapy that can genuinely change the enduring patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour that shape how you relate to yourself and others.

  • 44 Practitioners
  • 6 North East clinics
  • Free First Pathway call

Understanding personality disorders

A personality disorder is not a character flaw. It is a pattern that developed for a reason.

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions defined by enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that deviate significantly from what a person's culture expects, cause distress, and impair functioning. Unlike mood or anxiety disorders, which tend to occur in episodes, personality disorders shape a person's overall way of relating to themselves and others across time and situations.

These patterns usually develop in response to early experiences, including difficult relationships, trauma, or adverse environments. They are not chosen, and they are not a sign of weakness or moral failure. But they can make relationships, work, and daily life significantly harder, and many people have spent years struggling without understanding why.

The good news is that personality disorders respond well to therapy. Modern approaches such as DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and ACT are specifically designed to address the patterns at the root of the disorder, not just the surface symptoms. Change is possible, and our therapists at Select Psychology are experienced in supporting people through exactly this kind of work.

Common signs

How personality disorders shows up, and what can help

Common signs

  • Unstable relationships that cycle between closeness and conflict
  • Intense mood swings or difficulty managing emotions
  • Distorted or shifting sense of identity and self-worth
  • Fear of abandonment and frantic efforts to avoid it
  • Impulsive behaviour with consequences you did not intend
  • Black-and-white thinking with little room for middle ground
  • Persistent distrust or suspicion of others
  • Self-harming or self-destructive behaviour as a coping mechanism

Therapies that can help

Different people respond to different approaches. Your therapist agrees a personalised plan with you, which may draw on:

The Pathway Team matches you to a therapist experienced in supporting people with personality disorders, at your chosen location.

A simple first move

Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.

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Who you might work with

Therapists with expertise in supporting people with personality disorders

Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.

When to reach out

You do not need a formal diagnosis before reaching out.

If you recognise these patterns in yourself and they are making your life significantly harder, that is reason enough to seek support. Many people come to therapy with a sense that something has always been different about the way they experience relationships or emotions, without ever having had it named. You do not need a diagnosis to start. A Pathway call with our team is a good first step.

It is especially worth reaching out if you are experiencing self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or an inability to cope with daily life. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123, speak to your GP, or call 999. Our therapists are experienced in working with complex presentations and will not be alarmed by what you share. The sooner you begin, the sooner things can start to change.

Where we offer this

Support for personality disorders across the North East

Select Psychology Tynemouth clinic

Tynemouth

1 Tynemouth Road, NE30 4AY

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Select Psychology Newcastle clinic

Newcastle

The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, NE3 3PF

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Questions before you start

What people usually ask

1 What are the most common types of personality disorder?

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters. Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal presentations, characterised by odd or eccentric behaviour. Cluster B includes borderline (BPD), antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders, often involving intense emotions and difficult relationships. Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders, typically driven by anxiety and fear. Borderline Personality Disorder is one of the most commonly treated at Select Psychology.

2 How are personality disorders diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made by a qualified mental health professional through a comprehensive assessment, including clinical interview, observation, and sometimes psychological testing. The diagnostic criteria come from the DSM-5 or ICD-11. Many people live with the effects of a personality disorder for years before receiving a formal diagnosis. You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy, and a referral for assessment can be arranged through your GP or directly with our team.

3 Can personality disorders be treated?

Yes. Personality disorders are very treatable, and the evidence base has grown significantly in recent years. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has the strongest evidence, particularly for Borderline Personality Disorder. CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and ACT are also effective for different presentations. While personality disorders are considered enduring patterns, therapy can genuinely change how those patterns affect your life.

4 Can a personality disorder ever get better?

Yes. While personality disorders are not typically described as curable in the traditional sense, the research consistently shows that people improve significantly with the right therapy, often to the point where they no longer meet diagnostic criteria. Recovery involves learning to understand and manage the patterns rather than being controlled by them, and many people go on to lead full and stable lives.

In the meantime

Small things that can help right now.

  • Establish a daily routine for stability and predictability
  • Practice mindfulness or slow breathing to regulate emotions
  • Keep a journal to notice patterns in your thinking
  • Pursue hobbies and activities that bring genuine enjoyment
  • Build a support network of people you can trust
  • Be patient with yourself: change takes time, and that is normal

From the blog

Helpful reading on this

Get in touch

Ready to feel heard?

Leave your details and a member of our Pathway Team will be in touch, usually within one working day. Or call us directly on 0191 258 0008.

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