SPECIALITIES
Personality Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Psychologist in Málaga
I am passionate about challenges, and working with personality disorders and dual diagnosis is a challenge. Since I began my experience with this population group in the United Kingdom up to the present day, I can affirm that these people can improve and have potential when working with them and their families in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary way.
WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
Personality disorders and dual diagnosis
A personality disorder is a pattern of behaviours and internal experiences that deviates significantly from what is expected within the person’s culture. It affects the personal and social sphere to a greater or lesser extent depending on its severity. There may be poor impulse control and poor emotional management, with emotional responses that are inappropriate or disproportionate.
Dual diagnoses are personality disorders in which substance use coexists. This negatively affects the person, making diagnosis and treatment more delicate and complex.
Recommended for
Anxiety and depression, suicide and grief, personality disorders, addictions, trauma, forensic psychology, gender-based violence, emergency psychology, counselling and training, couples therapy.
Personality disorders from a gender-sensitive perspective
According to studies and my experience, there are different types of disorders according to gender, as well as different complications and symptoms. Working from a gender-sensitive perspective in psychological intervention is essential.
Personality disorders and the family
The emotional burden suffered by the family is intense. I also work with the family to provide emotional support, guidelines and techniques for issues that affect them and that they do not know how to handle or manage due to lack of knowledge. The family can positively help improvement take place.
Personality disorders in young people
Addressing any disorder at a young and earlier age has a positive impact, helping the person reach adulthood with greater balance and functionality in life.
WHAT IT COVERS
Dual Diagnoses
I first work on detoxification and the motivation needed for it to happen, as substance use causes even greater instability. Once the person has spent some time without using substances — 5 to 7 months — an assessment is carried out to detect and evaluate which possible disorder is primary, meaning original, and what symptoms are present.
Often, what exists “behind” substance use is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Attention Deficit Disorder, impulse control disorder or dissociative disorders, as these disorders often carry a higher risk of substance use, which may become addiction.
WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
Working to have more control over myself
Personality disorders and dual diagnoses are complex disorders that require longer, comprehensive and multidisciplinary therapeutic processes over time. The involvement of the person and the family is essential. In this way, according to my professional experience, the person improves and stabilises, learns to control crises and achieves a more functional life. A disorder does not determine you; what determines you is what we do about it.
Working with different methods and techniques
I work with trauma, EMDR, projective techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, systemic therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, Mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and iconic therapy.
The goals are to manage emotions, control impulsivity, improve thoughts so that they are more adaptive, strengthen the feeling of self-efficacy, develop self-love, and improve relationships with the environment.
Personal growth
In these disorders and in other problems, work is carried out transversally on self-concept, self-care, social skills, decision-making, assertiveness, conflict resolution, relaxation, emotional management, self-forgiveness, learning from the past to strengthen the present and boost the future.
Work with the family
Family therapy is essential for these people, as the dysfunctional dynamics that sometimes occur also affect the improvement of the person suffering from these disorders.
The family needs to know and understand what these disorders are like, their symptoms, development, risks, how to act, etc.
Book an Appointment
Contact me and request a consultation.
I’ll be delighted to assist you!
HOW I WORK
Do you think you are different from others, that you do not understand yourself well and that others do not understand you?
I am not sure whether or not I have a personality disorder.
Overcoming fear, prejudice and resistance is the first step.
Go to a professional and explain your doubts and what you feel.
If you have a disorder, it is best to know as soon as possible.
A disorder does not limit you; knowing about it empowers you.
Having a diagnosis is the basis for creating a specific action plan and being able to improve, feel more stable and have greater control over your life.
ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes personality disorders have a genetic or hereditary factor. Other times, traumatic events, substance use or stressors may affect the person and act as a trigger for a specific personality disorder to appear.
We can influence the environment, the context and “what I do”, but not genetics. The therapeutic process helps the person on different levels and empowers them. Developing an attitude of determination and self-improvement, having the motivation to improve and seeking help from a professional is what will make your life one way or another. This does depend on you.
Congratulations on your progress; indeed, attending therapy helps a great deal.
This depends on the symptoms you present, your progress and your therapist’s professional criteria.
Normally, these therapy processes are long. There is often trauma or complex trauma involved, serious crises, intense or codependent interpersonal relationships, emotional instability, outbursts, etc. If all areas of the person’s life improve over time, sessions can gradually be spaced out.
What areas indicate improvement?
Some of them are: emotional area, interpersonal relationships, self-care and healthy behaviours, taking medication, crisis management, maintaining and attending to routines and responsibilities, etc.
I’ll be delighted to assist you.
The first step is to place yourself in the hands of a specialist in psychiatry and psychology.
It has been shown that medication combined with psychotherapy produces greater benefits.
Accepting and understanding ADHD is important in order to work on the symptoms. Creating an individualised action plan according to the person’s age and needs leads to significant improvement.
It has also been shown that taking medication can help, and this should be assessed together with professionals.
Hello, your sensitivity as a mother is telling you that something is not right and that something needs to be done.
Sometimes, at these ages, people go through difficult changes and do not know how to cope with them well. Other times, additional issues are indeed involved, such as the beginning of the development of a disorder, as these are ages when they can start to appear.
I recommend that you see a specialist and explain the situation in more detail through an assessment and a set of questions that the professional will use to guide you.
A diagnosis of BPD must be made taking many factors into account, not just several symptoms. Sometimes there are circumstantial changes in the person, changes in self-concept, etc., which cause disruption but do not necessarily indicate this or another disorder.
This is a personal matter, but if there is a stable relationship, time together and commitment, it is advisable to tell them. Your partner should understand possible symptoms and behaviours, and even attending therapy could be beneficial for both of you.
Your partner can act as a containing and supportive factor during crises or events if they have the right tools to help a person with BPD. However, if they know nothing about it, there may be circumstances they do not know how to manage, which would not benefit you and would probably lead to greater destabilisation.
Get in touch
Contact
I’m here to listen, understand and support you on your journey toward emotional well-being. Contact me to begin this path together. I’ll be delighted to help you!
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