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8.0 PERSONALITY DISORDERS AND ABUSE

There may be a number of underlying reasons why the abuser is abusive. Alcohol, drugs, infidelity, can lead to abusive behavior but they are the symptoms and not the disease. Yet in order to get at the disease, you will need to get rid of the these symptoms before you can tackle the disease itself.

Personality disorders (PDs) also are often involved and while they may be the cause, they are much harder to deal with. I know. Both of the abusive women in my life were suffering from narcissistic personality disorders (NPD).

In some cases treatment for depression or bi-polar disorder could be quite helpful before dealing with abusive behavior. In other cases where long therapy might be required, such as for narcissistic personality disorder, the more direct route is to simply stop the abuse. Once this is stopped, the healing process for both you and the abuser can begin. And who knows? In the process personality disorder issues might sort themselves out to some extent with healthy communication.

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