Personality Disorders & Substance Use: A Deep Dive with Dr. Mason Turner
Episode Overview
Personality disorders are lifelong conditions that differ from episodic mental health issues. Diagnosing personality disorders requires long-term observation and understanding of patient history. Trauma plays a significant role in the development of personality disorders. Skills-based treatments are effective for managing symptoms of personality disorders. Setting empathic boundaries is crucial in therapy for individuals with personality disorders.
Personality disorders are a lifelong, constant day-end and day-out struggle for these individuals, not the episodic but severe episodes that we'll see with other mental health conditions
In this episode of 'The Addiction Files', Dr. Darlene Petersen and Dr. Paula Cook welcome back Dr. Mason Turner, Senior Medical Director for the Behaviour Health Clinical Program at Intermountain Health. Dr. Turner dives into the intricate relationship between personality disorders and substance use, offering a thorough breakdown of how these conditions intersect and impact each other. With his extensive experience, Dr.
Turner explains the nuances of diagnosing personality disorders, emphasising the importance of long-term observation and understanding the patient's history before making a diagnosis. Dr. Turner discusses the differences between episodic mental health conditions like depression and anxiety and pervasive personality disorders that affect individuals throughout their lives. He highlights the challenges in diagnosing these disorders, especially in adolescents, and underscores the need for a careful and empathetic approach in treatment.
Listeners will gain insights into various personality disorders such as borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders. Dr. Turner sheds light on how trauma can influence the development of these conditions and the role of the frontal lobe and limbic system in emotional regulation and impulse control. One particularly enlightening part of the episode is Dr. Turner's explanation of why skills-based treatments are effective for individuals with personality disorders.
He shares practical advice on setting empathic boundaries and using cognitive techniques to help patients manage their symptoms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between personality disorders and substance use. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student, or someone affected by these issues, you'll find valuable information and thoughtful reflections that can enhance your knowledge and approach to treatment.