Behavioral Science: Personality Disorders Flashcards
Cluster A disorders
Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
- psychotic-like, but not psychotic
Cluster B disorders
Antisocial, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Borderline
- dreaded disorders, behavioral
Cluster C disorders
Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
- anxious, but not anxiety disordered
Paranoid PD
- pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood
- not exclusively in the course of schiz or another psychotic disorder
Schizoid PD
- pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions
- not exclusively in the course of schiz or another psychotic disorder
Schizotypal PD
- pervasive pattern of interpersonal deficits marked by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior
- not exclusively in the course of schiz or another psychotic disorder
Antisocial PD
- pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of rights of others since age 15
- must have evidence of a conduct disorder with onset before 15
- not exclusively in the course of schiz or manic episode
Histrionic PD
- pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood, such as:
- sexually seductive or provocative behavior
- self- dramatization, theatricality, exaggerated emotional expression
- easily influenced by others
Narcissistic PD
- pervasive pattern of grandiosity beginning in early adulthood
- need for admiration
- lack of empathy
- sense of entitlement
Borderline PD
- pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood. You need at least 5/9 of the following:
1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
2. unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, alternating idealization and devaluation
3. persistently unstable self-image or sense of self
4. impulsivity that is potentially self-damaging
5. recurrent suicidal behavior or threats, self-mutilation
6. mood lability and reactivity
7. chronic feelings of emptiness
8. frequent or intense anger outbursts
9. transient paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
Avoidant PD
- pervasive pattern of social inhibition beginning by early adulthood
- inhibited in social situations because of feelings of inadequacy
- hypersensitive to criticism or rejection
Obsessive-Compulsive PD
By early adulthood:
- preoccupied with details, rules, lists, schedules
- perfectionism interferes with task completion
- excessively devoted to work and productivity
- scrupulous about morality, ethics, values
- unable to discard worn out objects
- micromanges tasks
- miserly spending style
- rigid and stubborn
Dependent PD
- pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of beginning by early adulthood
- indecisive
- submissive and clingy
- difficulty expressing disagreement
- lack of self confidence, feeling of helplessness
- goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others
Which PDs are more prevalent in women?
Paranoid, avoidant, dependent
Which PDs are more prevalent in men?
Antisocial
Risk factors for developing PD
Not married, impoverished, poorly educated
Maternal absence
Early maternal deprivation reduces CNS serotonin levels
- nursery rearing conditions do NOT restore serotonin levels
Tx for Cluster A
- little studied
- antipsychotics and psychotherapy may provide modest benefit
Tx for Cluster B
- psychopharmacology has modest efficacy, especially mood stabilizers and antipsychotics
- benzos may exacerbate
- co-occurring conditions may also respond poorly to meds
- psychotherapy! best for borderlines
Tx for Cluster C
Psychopharmacology for avoidant
psychotherapy! CBT and psychodynamic
