Personality Disorders

Extreme aspects of personality may make it difficult for a person to have stable and rewarding relationships. Often these personality traits develop in the context of early childhood attachment difficulties or trauma. Dissociation or disconnection from thoughts and feelings may then result particularly when there has been chronic complex trauma. Because these aspects of self are dissociated it can be difficult to maintain awareness and control of emotions and behaviours when exposed to events which trigger a re-experiencing of previous trauma. Through trauma informed psychotherapy it can be possible to process these traumas once an integrated sense of self has been established in a trusting psychotherapeutic space. This can mean a person becomes less susceptible to triggers in relationships and the environment.