10 General Symptoms of Personality Disorder

7. Self Medication

Some people with personality disorders turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional pain, stress, or other symptoms. This is called self-medication. It might start as a way to feel calmer, more in control, or just “normal.”

However, using substances like this often makes things worse. It can lead to addiction, increase feelings of depression or anxiety, and interfere with any medications prescribed by a doctor. In some cases, substance abuse can even trigger or worsen symptoms of a personality disorder.