1: Personality Disorders

Question 1

what are the three type of personality disorders?

Answer 1

Cluster A, Cluster B, Cluster C = weird, wild, worried

Question 2

cluster A personality disorders

Answer 2

A = accusatory, aloof, awkward (weird)

• paranoid
• schizoid
• schizotypal

Question 3

cluster B personality disorders

Answer 3

B = bad to the bone (wild)

• antisocial
• borderline
• histrionic
• narcissistic

Question 4

cluster C personality disorders

Answer 4

C = cowardly, compulsive, clingy (worried)

• avoidant
• dependent
• obsessive-compulsive

Question 5

definition of personality

Answer 5

an enduring pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that is uniquely recognizable in each individual

Question 6

definition of a personality disorder

Answer 6

fixed use of a limited set of coping styles in all areas of living regardless of adaptability, the end result of which is impaired functioning

Question 7

etiology of personality disorders

Answer 7

nature vs. nurture (character, temperament)

flexibility and pathways

Question 8

normal course of a personality disorder

Answer 8

• diagnosed after age 18
• lifelong
• damage may diminish after 35 y/o

Question 9

symptoms and defense mechanisms: paranoid

Answer 9

• scan environment for signs of slight
• see hidden meanings in communication
• bear grudges

-use projection

Question 10

symptoms and defense mechanisms: schizoid

Answer 10

“schizoiD = Distant”

• loner
• indifferent to responses from others
• emotionally cool

-use non-goal-directed fantasy

Question 11

symptoms and defense mechanisms: schizotypal

Answer 11

“schizoTypal = magical Thinking’

• unusual and loner
• odd beliefs, speech, perceptions
• emotionally cool
• ideas of reference (but not delusions of reference)

-use magical thinking

Question 12

symptoms and defense mechanisms: antisocial

Answer 12

“antiSOCial = SOCiopath”

• deficits in conscience
• defies social norms
• irresponsible
• heedless of harm to self or others
• without remorse

-use acting out, rationalization

Question 13

symptoms and defense mechanisms: borderline

Answer 13

• fractured identity
• anger
• intense interpersonal relationships
• mood swings
• self-injurious acts (often cutting)

-use splitting (black vs. white), projective identification

Question 14

symptoms and defense mechanisms: histrionic

Answer 14

• lives to convince
• dramatic
• seductive
• center of attention
• preoccupied with appearance
• emotionally changeable and “shallow”
• uses repression
• often accompanied by conversion

Question 15

symptoms and defense mechanisms: narcissistic

Answer 15

• self-absorbed
• entitled
• grandiose
• exploitative
• lacks empathy for others

-use denial, projection

Question 16

symptoms and defense mechanisms: avoidant

Answer 16

• sensitive to rejection but interested in interaction
• sees self as socially inept
• needs high degrees of reassurance to attempt close relationships, new activities, etc.

Question 17

symptoms and defense mechanisms: dependent

Answer 17

• needs someone else to nurture or care for them
• fearful of independent actions
• stays in relationship
• quickly finds others
• absence of anger

-use denial, repression, identification

Question 18

symptoms and defense mechanisms: obsessive-compulsive

Answer 18

• lives for structure and control
• perfectionist
• emotionally constricted
• needs organization, lists, details

-use isolation, reaction formation, undoing

Question 19

treatment of personality disorders

Answer 19

most use CBT

exception: dialectical behavior therapy for borderline
- emotional regulation skills
- distress tolerance skills