Welcome To Hyderabad’s Top Psychiatry Care
My role is to help them understand themselves, manage their emotions, and build a stronger, healthier identity — with the full support of their family and care team.
Dr Sathiya Ganesan’s
Guiding Teens Toward Emotional Stability, Identity, and Self-Worth.
Specialized Care for Emotional Instability, Identity Struggles, and Behavioral Challenges in Teenagers
Teenagers go through rapid emotional, cognitive, and social development, but for some, intense mood shifts, unstable relationships, impulsivity, and identity struggles may signal something deeper.
Dr. Sathiya Ganesan, Consultant Psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, provides compassionate, structured, and developmentally appropriate care for Personality Disorders emerging in late adolescence, helping teens build self-understanding, emotional control, and stronger interpersonal skills.
Understanding Personality Disorders in Adolescents
When Emotional Patterns Interfere with Growth – Early Recognition for Long-Term Recovery
Personality disorders involve deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that cause distress or difficulty in relationships, self-image, and functioning. While formal diagnosis is typically made in adulthood, early signs often begin in late adolescence (ages 16–19) and can be effectively addressed with early intervention.
Common personality disorders seen in late adolescence include:
- Borderline Personality Traits – emotional instability, fear of abandonment, self-harm
- Avoidant Personality Traits – social withdrawal, hypersensitivity to criticism
- Dependent Personality Traits – excessive need for reassurance and support
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Traits – rigid rules, perfectionism
- Narcissistic or Antisocial Traits – grandiosity, lack of empathy, manipulation (less common but concerning)
These are not just “teenage phases” — they are persistent patterns that require psychiatric insight and guidance.
Common Signs of Emerging Personality Disorders in Teens
- Intense, unstable emotions or rapid mood swings
- Fear of abandonment or extreme dependency on others
- Identity confusion or unstable self-image
- Difficulty maintaining friendships or frequent conflicts
- Self-harming behaviours or suicidal threats
- Impulsivity in relationships, spending, or risky behaviour
- Black-and-white (all-or-nothing) thinking
- Emotional outbursts or difficulty managing anger
- Avoidance of social interaction due to fear of judgment
If these patterns are persistent, intense, and impairing, psychiatric evaluation is essential.
Sensitive and Developmentally Informed Diagnosis
Dr. Ganesan approaches adolescents with respect, empathy, and a focus on emotional safety. His evaluation includes:
- Detailed psychiatric interview with the teen and family
- Developmental, behavioral, and academic history
- Review of early trauma, attachment, and family dynamics
- Screening for mood disorders, ADHD, and anxiety
- Identification of early personality patterns (not just symptoms)
Diagnosing personality-related concerns in teens requires caution, clinical experience, and sensitivity to avoid labeling while still providing timely support.
Individualized Treatment Plans and Emotional Skill Building
Treatment focuses on helping adolescents:
- Understand their emotions and triggers
- Develop healthier thought and behavior patterns
- Strengthen interpersonal relationships
- Build a stable sense of identity and self-worth
- Improve impulse control and reduce self-harm
Plans are personalized based on the teen’s maturity, emotional readiness, and family environment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Structured Psychotherapy
Evidence-based therapies form the core of treatment. Dr. Ganesan offers:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – ideal for teens with emotional dysregulation or self-harm
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – to challenge negative thinking and build coping skills
- Schema-focused therapy – for addressing longstanding emotional beliefs and attachment wounds
- Family therapy – to address conflict, improve communication, and build a supportive environment
Therapy is structured, goal-oriented, and adapted to each adolescent’s developmental stage.
Medication Support (If Needed)
While medication is not the primary treatment for personality disorders, it may be used to address:
- Co-existing depression or anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Impulsivity or aggression
- Emotional instability
Dr. Ganesan prescribes medications cautiously, focusing on symptom relief and stabilization — not masking the underlying issue.
Parent Guidance and Family Involvement
Teenagers with personality difficulties often affect and are affected by their family dynamics. Dr. Ganesan provides:
- Parental coaching to reduce emotional reactivity
- Strategies to respond to manipulation, anger, or withdrawal
- Support in setting healthy boundaries and consequences
- Education on personality development and recovery outlook
Strong family involvement significantly improves outcomes.
School Collaboration and Peer Relationship Support
Personality-related challenges often impact academics and peer relationships. Dr. Ganesan collaborates with schools to:
- Reduce conflict with peers or teachers
- Support reintegration after behavioral crises
- Educate staff on trauma-informed responses
- Build peer social skills and conflict resolution abilities
This ensures that teens feel safe and supported across all environments.
Online Consultations for Consistent Support
For long-term emotional development, Dr. Sathiya Ganesan offers secure telepsychiatry services, including:
- Regular therapy sessions
- Parent updates and planning
- Relapse prevention check-ins
- Emotional skill coaching
This flexibility ensures ongoing, accessible care during recovery.
Why Choose Dr. Sathiya Ganesan for Adolescent Personality Disorders?
Dr. Sathiya Ganesan understands that adolescence is a sensitive and formative stage. His approach to emerging personality issues is:
- Non-stigmatizing and emotionally supportive
- Grounded in developmental neuroscience and therapy models
- Focused on long-term resilience, not short-term fixes
With early intervention and structured guidance, teens can move from emotional chaos to confident growth — transforming their future relationships, careers, and self-esteem.
Don’t Let Personality Patterns Define Their Future
If your teen is struggling with unstable emotions, identity issues, or impulsive behaviour, help is available.
Contact Dr. Sathiya Ganesan today for a thoughtful, personalised evaluation and evidence-based care that promotes emotional growth and long-term success.
Can personality disorders be diagnosed in teenagers?
While formal diagnosis is reserved for adulthood, traits and patterns can emerge during adolescence. Early intervention helps prevent long-term difficulties.
What causes personality disorders in teens?
Contributing factors may include genetics, trauma, attachment issues, family conflict, or chronic emotional invalidation. Dr. Ganesan considers all influences in diagnosis and care.
Can therapy help with personality traits?
Yes. DBT, CBT, and other therapies help teens build emotion regulation, social skills, and self-awareness — key tools in managing personality-related challenges.
Will my teen outgrow this behaviour?
Some traits improve with maturity, but without support, they may persist or worsen. Early care increases the chance of long-term emotional stability.
Is medication required for personality disorders?
Not always. Medication may help manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, or impulsivity, but therapy remains the cornerstone of care.
