Northern Illinois Recovery Center is dedicated to supporting teen mental health with compassion and clinical expertise. Personality disorders are ongoing patterns of thinking and behaving that create problems in relationships, school, and daily life. These conditions can be identified and effectively treated with help from experienced professionals.
These disorders involve patterns that are different from what’s expected for a teen’s age and culture. The patterns cause significant problems in relationships, school performance, and daily activities. Unlike typical teenage mood swings, personality disorder symptoms are more intense and last longer.
Signs Your Teen May Have a Personality Disorder
Emotional signs include:
- Intense mood swings: Emotions that seem much bigger than the situation calls for
- Fear of abandonment: Extreme worry about being left alone or rejected
- Chronic emptiness: Feeling hollow or numb most of the time
Behavioral signs include:
- Impulsive actions: Reckless driving, sudden spending, or risky sexual behavior
- Self-harm: Cutting, burning, or other ways of hurting themselves
- Unstable relationships: Friendships that quickly turn from love to hate
Social signs include:
- Family conflict: Frequent, intense arguments with parents or siblings
- School problems: Difficulty maintaining grades or getting along with teachers
- Identity confusion: Constantly changing goals, values, or sense of self
How Personality Disorders Are Diagnosed in Teens
A clinical interview involves detailed conversations with the teen and family about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The professional uses the DSM-5, which lists specific criteria for each personality disorder. For a borderline personality disorder diagnosis, at least five of nine symptoms must be present.
Psychological testing may include standardized questionnaires that measure personality traits and symptoms. These tools help identify the severity of symptoms and rule out other conditions.
The evaluation also checks for medical conditions or other mental health disorders that could explain the symptoms. This ensures the diagnosis is accurate and complete.
Evidence-Based Treatments for Teen Borderline Personality Disorder
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is the most studied treatment for teen borderline personality disorder. DBT teaches four main skills: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. The treatment includes both individual therapy sessions and group skills training.
Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) helps teens understand their own emotions and thoughts, plus those of others. This therapy builds emotional awareness and improves relationships by teaching teens to pause and think before reacting.
General psychiatric management (GPM) provides education about the condition and practical problem-solving strategies. GPM is less intensive than other treatments but still effective for many teens.
Treatment Levels From Outpatient to Residential Care
Outpatient therapy involves weekly meetings with a therapist, either in person or through secure video calls. This works well for teens who are stable at home and school.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) provide several hours of therapy three to five days per week. Teens continue living at home and attending school while getting more intensive support.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) offer full-day treatment Monday through Friday. Teens participate in therapy, education, and activities during the day and return home in the evening.
Residential treatment provides 24-hour care when teens are at risk of serious self-harm or harming others. The goal is to stabilize safety and symptoms so teens can return to less intensive care.
Family and School Support in Treatment
Family therapy helps improve communication and reduce conflict at home. Parents learn about personality disorders and how these conditions affect their teens’ behavior. Family sessions also teach parents how to respond helpfully when their teen is struggling.
School collaboration may involve creating formal support plans like 504 plans. These can include accommodations such as extended time for tests, breaks when needed, or modified assignments. Working with school counselors and teachers helps ensure teens get support in their educational environment.
Medication for Teen Personality Disorders
When medication is used, it targets co-occurring conditions rather than the personality disorder itself. For example, antidepressants might help with depression symptoms, while mood stabilizers could help with emotional ups and downs.
Safety monitoring is especially important for teens with a history of self-harm. Doctors carefully track any changes in behavior or mood when starting new medications. The goal is to use the smallest effective dose for the shortest time needed.
Dual Diagnosis and Substance Use
Some teens use drugs or alcohol to cope with intense emotions or stress. This can mask the real symptoms of the personality disorder, making diagnosis more difficult. Substance use can also make personality disorder symptoms worse.
Northern Illinois Recovery Center uses integrated therapy approaches to address both conditions simultaneously. Our specialized programs help teens develop healthy coping skills while addressing both mental health and substance use challenges.
Choosing Treatment in Illinois
Important questions to ask providers include:
- What training do staff have in treating teen personality disorders?
- Which specific therapies are used, and how are they adapted for adolescents?
- How is the family involved in treatment?
- What does a typical treatment day look like?
- What aftercare support is available?
Insurance coverage varies by plan, but many programs accept private insurance or Medicaid. Some facilities offer financial assistance or payment plans for qualifying families.
Telehealth options are available for families in rural areas or those who have difficulty traveling to treatment centers. Virtual therapy can provide access to specialized care that might not be available locally.
Why Choose Northern Illinois Recovery Center
Our treatment teams include licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and support staff with specific training in adolescent mental health. Each teen receives an individualized treatment plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, our facility provides a peaceful environment designed for healing and recovery. We offer multiple levels of care, from intensive outpatient programs to partial hospitalization, allowing families to find the right level of support.
Teen Personality Disorder Treatment FAQs
Most intensive outpatient programs work around school schedules, but partial hospitalization may require temporary academic accommodations or homeschooling arrangements.
Most teens in DBT programs begin to see some improvement in emotional regulation and self-harm behaviors within the first few months, though full treatment typically lasts six months to one year.
Illinois Medicaid covers medically necessary mental health treatment, including therapy and psychiatric services for teens diagnosed with personality disorders.
Treatment works best when teens are willing participants, but therapists trained in adolescent care can help build motivation and engagement over time through relationship-building and addressing concerns.
Getting Help for Your Teen
Northern Illinois Recovery Center provides comprehensive care designed specifically for adolescents with personality disorders. Our team works with both teens and families to create a supportive environment for healing and growth. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help your family begin the journey toward recovery.
