Many people seek complementary and alternative approaches to personality disorders. Understanding the evidence base helps make informed choices.
Complementary Approaches with Evidence for Personality Disorders
Acupuncture: Several studies show modest effects on personality disorders symptoms, particularly for anxiety and pain-related presentations.
Yoga: One of the best-evidenced complementary approaches — multiple mechanisms relevant to personality disorders.
Massage therapy: Reduces cortisol and increases serotonin — documented effects on personality disorders symptom severity.
Supplements: Omega-3s, magnesium, and vitamin D have meaningful evidence for some personality disorders presentations.
Complementary Approaches with Limited Evidence for Personality Disorders
Crystal healing, homeopathy, and many energy medicine approaches lack scientific evidence for personality disorders. Risk of harm is low, but opportunity cost of forgoing evidence-based treatment is real.
Using Complementary Approaches Safely for Personality Disorders
Complementary approaches work best as additions to, not replacements for, evidence-based personality disorders treatment. Always inform your healthcare providers of everything you're using.