Table of Contents:

Resources & FAQs

Narcissistic / borderline / etc abuse

Narcissistic/etc abuse doesn't exist. A PD doesn't make someone an abuser, their actions do. Someone without a PD can be an abuser, just as much as someone with a PD can. It's better to specify the type of abuse, e.g. emotional / psychological abuse.

Stigma against PDs

PDs are thought of as some of the most difficult disorders to treat, and many clients are turned away from help because of a PD diagnosis or suspicion of one. Some diagnoses, such as AsPD, may prevent you from getting certain jobs, if they're officially on your record (or you tell your employers).

One example of stigma against PDs is psychologist Marsha Linehan. She invented DBT, the best type of therapy for PDs (BPD in particular). Plenty of psychologists celebrated the creation of DBT, but when Linehan revealed she had BPD, she was widely discredited by those same psychologists. Here is a post on why there is so much stigma against PDs.

How to get diagnosed:

Some posts on this:

Can PDs be cured?

Because PDs are disorders of personality, and grow and change alongside a person from childhood or at least early adulthood, PDs aren't something that will ever really go away. But, someone with a PD can recover enough through therapy that their PD traits can become an advantage instead of a disadvantage.

Some posts on PD recovery:

This table shows 3 levels of functioning for PDs. The aim of therapy is to get from a disordered level of functioning to an optimal level:
Personality Disorder Optimal Functioning Adequate Functioning Disordered Functioning
AsPD Charismatic and sociable, although their relationships are often shallow. Uses power constructively and promotes worthwhile causes. Prone to aggressive, impulsive, self-serving, and irresponsible behavior.
AvPD Sensitive to interpersonal cues and highly intuitive about others, but can have meaningful relationships and work through hypersensitivity. Reserved around others, because they are sensitive and concerned about others’ opinion of them. Avoid social and work-related activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fear of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.
BPD Sensitive, introspective, and impressionable individuals who are very comfortable with their feelings and inner impulses. They quickly and easily engage in relationships and are sometimes hurt and rejected in the process. Display frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined rejection and abandonment.
DPD May seek out the opinions and advice of others when making major decisions, but the decisions they make are ultimately their own. Have the capacity to be responsible and make decisions, but still seek out and rely on others for help and advice. Need others to assume responsibility for most major areas of their life.
HPD Having found the love they seek within themselves, they are altruistic and giving without expecting reciprocity. While fun-loving and often impulsive, they can delay gratification and be emotionally appropriate much of the time. Uncomfortable in situations in which they are not the centre of attention.
NPD Energetic and self-assured without expecting special treatment or privilege. Confident, yet emotionally vulnerable, they favour special treatment or privilege. Manifest a grandiose sense of self-importance and demand special privilege.
OCPD Conscientious but spontaneous individuals who balance personal integrity with generosity, hopefulness, and kindness. Less perfectionism and rigidity in tasks and relationships, with some degree of emotional involvement. Perfectionism and feeling avoidance that interferes with task completion and relationships; overly rigid thinking and attitudes; pessimistic and stingy.
PPD Highly observant and discerning, they can defend themselves without losing control or becoming aggressive. Thin-skinned, they are rather sensitive to and hurt by criticism. Suspicious, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them.
StPD Possess the unique capacity to view situations and life differently so as to benefit others. Immersed in the unique and unusual, irrespective of whether it has any socially redeeming value. Exhibit odd, eccentric, or peculiar behavior, thinking, and speech.
SzPD Deeply grounded in themselves, they are emotionally connected to the world. Reasonably comfortable being around others, provided there are limited demands for intimacy or emotional connectedness. Neither desire nor enjoy close relationships.

Most of this text came straight from the source and needs to be rewritten.