Personality Disorder Treatment in Palm Beach
Expert evaluation and long-term psychiatric care for all personality disorder types
What Is Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate significantly from cultural expectations, are pervasive and inflexible, and cause significant distress or functional impairment. DSM-5 identifies 10 specific personality disorders organized into three clusters.
Signs & Symptoms
- Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal PD
- Cluster B (Dramatic/Emotional): Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic PD
- Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive PD
- Onset typically in adolescence or early adulthood
- Stable patterns across many situations
- Significant interpersonal difficulties
- Ego-syntonic (may feel natural to the person)
Treatment Approaches
Treatment varies by disorder type but typically involves long-term psychotherapy, with specific approaches (DBT for BPD, schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy) matched to the disorder. Medication addresses co-occurring Axis I conditions and specific symptom clusters. Consistent, stable psychiatric care is especially important for personality disorders.
Why Concierge Psychiatry?
With Dr. Agresti's concierge model, you get his direct cell number, same-day prescription refills, and 24-hour appointment availability — with no membership fee. Experience the difference that direct-access care makes.
Learn About Concierge CareFrequently Asked Questions
Personality disorders are diagnosed through comprehensive psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. The clinician assesses whether enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience deviate significantly from cultural expectations, are pervasive across many situations, are stable over time, and cause clinically significant distress or functional impairment. A thorough evaluation like those Dr. Agresti provides — with extended, unhurried sessions — is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Personality disorders are treatable, and many patients show substantial improvement with appropriate care. Long-term psychotherapy is the primary treatment, with specific approaches matched to the disorder type — DBT for borderline personality disorder, psychodynamic therapy for narcissistic personality disorder, and CBT for avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. While personality traits may persist, the maladaptive patterns that cause distress and impairment can improve significantly.
Everyone has personality traits — habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. A personality disorder is diagnosed only when those traits become so rigid, pervasive, and extreme that they cause significant suffering or impair functioning in work, relationships, or daily life. The key distinction is inflexibility and impairment. Many people have narcissistic or avoidant traits without meeting criteria for a full personality disorder.
Yes, personality disorder comorbidity is common. Many patients meet criteria for two or more personality disorders, particularly within the same cluster. For example, borderline and narcissistic personality disorders frequently co-occur, as do avoidant personality disorder and dependent personality disorder. This complexity is one reason why personality disorders require an experienced psychiatrist who can develop a nuanced, individualized treatment plan.
Because personality disorders are ego-syntonic — meaning the patterns feel natural to the person — patients rarely seek help specifically for their personality disorder. They typically present with depression, anxiety, relationship problems, or substance abuse. Additionally, many clinicians focus on treating these surface-level symptoms without recognizing the underlying personality pathology. Dr. Agresti's dual expertise as psychiatrist and psychotherapist allows him to identify and address personality disorders alongside co-occurring conditions.