Understanding Personality Disorders: Challenges and Insights for Support Workers

Working in the mental health field offers both deep rewards and significant challenges—especially when supporting individuals living with personality disorders. Support workers are often on the front line, helping participants build more independent and meaningful lives. Yet, when it comes to personality disorders, the journey can feel complex, unpredictable, and emotionally demanding.

What Are Personality Disorders?

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions marked by enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that differ significantly from cultural expectations. These patterns are often inflexible, long-lasting, and can cause distress or difficulties in daily functioning.

Some of the most commonly recognised personality disorders include:

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Avoidant Personality Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

• Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Although each presents differently, many share overlapping challenges—such as difficulties with relationships, emotional regulation, trust, and personal boundaries.

Why Are Personality Disorders So Challenging for Support Workers?

1. Emotional Intensity and Relationship Strain

Clients may swing between extremes—idealising a worker one moment and devaluing them the next. This “splitting” behaviour can leave staff feeling drained, confused, or even attacked.

2. Boundary Testing

Maintaining professional boundaries is crucial yet difficult. Some clients may seek closeness or test limits as a reflection of fear, mistrust, or past trauma. Striking the right balance—compassion without over-involvement—is key.

3. Impulsivity and Risk-Taking

Behaviours such as self-harm, substance use, or unsafe choices can overwhelm staff who feel underprepared to respond. Without the right training, this pressure may lead to burnout.

4. Inconsistency in Engagement

Frequent cancellations, shifting goals, or disengagement can make progress slow and frustrating, even for the most dedicated workers.

What Support Workers Need

1. Specialised Training and Supervision

Trauma-informed training, de-escalation strategies, and education around attachment issues are essential. Supervision provides space for reflection and helps staff avoid burnout.

2. Clear Boundaries and Team Support

Consistent team structures, communication, and well-defined policies help reduce stress on individual workers and protect professional boundaries.

3. Self-Care and Resilience

Support work in this space is emotionally taxing. Regular breaks, counselling, reflective practice, and peer support are not optional—they’re vital for long-term sustainability.

A Message of Hope

People living with personality disorders are not “difficult” on purpose. Their behaviours often stem from deep pain, trauma, or unmet needs. With patience, skill, and consistency, support workers can make a profound difference—not by fixing everything, but by offering stability, empathy, and hope.

Final Thoughts

Supporting individuals with personality disorders is undeniably challenging—but it’s also deeply meaningful. With the right tools, knowledge, and support, workers can navigate the emotional demands of this role and contribute to real, lasting change in people’s lives.
At Evolve Now, we provide accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training designed for disability and NDIS support workers. Our courses equip your team with practical skills, emotional resilience, and the confidence to support participants with complex needs—including those living with personality disorders.

👉 View upcoming MHFA training dates here: https://www.evolvenow.net.au/mhfa-blended-online-course  or DM us “MHFA” to discuss group training options for your workplace.