In the past, personality disorder has often been deemed untreatable and patients have been excluded from services on that basis. However, over the past 20 years, several treatments have demonstrated benefit in the treatment of personality disorder. The greater part of the work has focused on borderline personality disorder, probably because of the often dramatic presentations, high demand on services, and elevated suicide rates of people with the condition.

However, some studies have looked at other specific personality disorders with some success. For example, there is some evidence that that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may be of value in the treatment of avoidant personality disorder. All treatments which have been demonstrated to be beneficial for personality disorder are forms of psychosocial intervention. Despite a significant body of work, there has been no robust experimental demonstration that any other form of treatment (including medication) is of significant benefit in the treatment of the condition.