Behavioural science Flashcards
When do personality disorders begin
Adolescence and continue throughout a lifetime.
What are the classes or groups that the DSM-IV classified the personality disorders
- Class A (Odd disorders)
- Class B (Dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders)
- Class C (Anxious or fearless disodrers)
Odd disorders (Class A)
a. Paranoid disorder
Characterized by suspiciousness and a deep mistrust of people, paranoid personalities often think of others as manipulative, cunning or dishonest.
b. Schizoid personality disorder
People with schizoid personalities are emotionally distant and tend to prefer to be alone. They are generally immersed in their own thoughts and have little interest in bonding and intimacy with others.
c. Schizotypal personality disorder
People who are schizotypal might have some unusual beliefs or thoughts that are different from what most people believe. They might also have strange or magical thinking, like believing in things that are not real or thinking that they have special powers.
Sometimes people with schizotypal might have a hard time connecting with others and making friends. They might feel uncomfortable in social situations and prefer to be alone. They might also have difficulty expressing their emotions or understanding other people’s emotions.
Odd disorders (Class A)
a. Paranoid disorder
Characterized by suspiciousness and a deep mistrust of people, paranoid personalities often think of others as manipulative, cunning or dishonest.
b. Schizoid personality disorder
People with schizoid personalities are emotionally distant and tend to prefer to be alone. They are generally immersed in their own thoughts and have little interest in bonding and intimacy with others.
c. Schizotypal personality disorder
This disorder is characterized by odd and unusual “magical” beliefs. These individuals may have an eccentric way of behaving or dressing. They also tend to display outlandish beliefs such as believing that they can see the future or travel to other dimensions.
People with this condition often have difficulty connecting with others and establishing long term relationships. Overtime, they may develop a fear of social gatherings.
Dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders (Class B)
a.Antisocial/psychopath personality disorder.
Individuals with this disorder are known to be manipulative, irresponsible, and have a history of legal difficulties. They show little respect for the rights of others and feel no remorse for their actions. They also leave a trail of unfulfilled promises and broken hearts.
Antisocial personalities are also at high risk for drug abuse (e.g., alcoholism; meth) since many are “rush” seekers. While they seldom suffer from depression or anxiety, they often use drugs to relieve boredom and irritability.
b.Borderline personality disorder
Borderline personalities are impulsive and have extreme views of people as either “all good” or “bad”.
These people are unstable in relationships and have a strong fear of abandonment. They may form an intense personal attachment with someone they barely know and end it without any apparent reason. They might also engage in a “pull” and “push” behavior that usually ends with their partner leaving permanently.
Self-mutilation, suicidal gestures or attention-seeking destructive behaviors are not uncommon. Borderline personalities are three times more likely to be female.
c. Histrionic personality disorder
People with this condition engage in persistent attention-seeking behaviors that include inappropriate sexual behavior and exaggerated emotions. They can be oversensitive about themselves and constantly seek reassurance or approval from others.
Excessive need to be the center of attention, low tolerance for frustration, blaming others for failures is also characteristics of the histrionic personality.
d.Narcissistic personality disorder
Narcissistic personalities have a blown up perception of themselves and an excessive desire for attention and admiration. Individuals with this disorder have a false sense of entitlement and little respect for other people’s feelings.
Prone to outbursts of anger and irritability, the narcissistic personality tends to be manipulative in interpersonal relationships.
Anxious or fearless disorders (Class C)
a. Avoidant personality disorder
This disorder is described by chronic social withdrawal, feelings of inferiority, over-sensitivity and social withdrawal.
People with avoidant personality disorder are constantly fearful of rejection and ridicule. They form relationships only with people that they trust. The pain of rejection is so strong that these individuals prefer to isolate rather than risk disappointment.
b. Dependent personality disorder
Individuals with this condition have an abnormal desire to be nurtured that leads to submissive and clinging behavior. Dependent personalities have difficulty making their own decisions and seek others to take over most important areas in their lives.
They will often go to great length to obtain nurturance from others, have separation anxiety when alone and desperately seek another partner when a close relationship ends.
c.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)
People with OCPD are perceived as strict and demanding by others. They have a persistent preoccupation with perfectionism, orderliness, and efficiency, at the expense of interpersonal relationships. They also show an excessive devotion to work, productivity and exhibit rigidness and stubbornness.
People with OCPD usually have a negative view of life and often become withdrawn and depressed.
Anxious or fearless disorders (Class C)
a. Avoidant personality disorder
This disorder is described by chronic social withdrawal, feelings of inferiority, over-sensitivity and social withdrawal.
People with avoidant personality disorder are constantly fearful of rejection and ridicule. They form relationships only with people that they trust. The pain of rejection is so strong that these individuals prefer to isolate rather than risk disappointment.
b. Dependent personality disorder
Individuals with this condition have an abnormal desire to be nurtured that leads to submissive and clinging behavior. Dependent personalities have difficulty making their own decisions and seek others to take over most important areas in their lives.
They will often go to great length to obtain nurturance from others, have separation anxiety when alone and desperately seek another partner when a close relationship ends.
c.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)
People with OCPD are perceived as strict and demanding by others. They have a persistent preoccupation with perfectionism, orderliness, and efficiency, at the expense of interpersonal relationships. They also show an excessive devotion to work, productivity and exhibit rigidness and stubbornness.
People with OCPD usually have a negative view of life and often become withdrawn and depressed.
Eight specific paraphillias are identified by the DSM IV and these are;
A, Exhibitonism: is exposing ones genitals in order to achieve sexual gratification.
B, Fetishism. Is when a person prefers to become sexually exited by objects (fetishes)
C, Frouteurism involves obtaining of sexual arousal from touching and robbing against a non-consenting person.
D, Pedophilia – Sexual activities with young children.
E, Sexual sadism-is inflicting suffering on humiliation on ones partner to achieve sexual arousal.
F, Sexual Masochism - Achieving sexual arousal by receiving pain from ones partner.
G, Transvecticfetishism.Obtaining sexual gratification from cross dressing.
H, Voyeurism. A person derives sexual pleasure from looking at people who are naked or engaging in sexual activities without their knowledge.
Discuss the causes of anxiety
Eight specific paraphillias are identified by the DSM IV and these are;
“Effortlessly, friends playfully sing, dance, and have fun together, yay!”
A, Exhibitonism: is exposing ones genitals in order to achieve sexual gratification.
B, Fetishism. Is when a person prefers to become sexually exited by objects (fetishes)
C, Frouteurism involves obtaining of sexual arousal from touching and robbing against a non-consenting person.
D, Pedophilia – Sexual activities with young children.
E, Sexual sadism-is inflicting suffering on humiliation on ones partner to achieve sexual arousal.
F, Sexual Masochism - Achieving sexual arousal by receiving pain from ones partner.
G, Transvecticfetishism.Obtaining sexual gratification from cross dressing.
H, Voyeurism. A person derives sexual pleasure from looking at people who are naked or engaging in sexual activities without their knowledge.
Eight specific paraphillias are identified by the DSM IV and these are;
“Effortlessly, friends playfully sing, dance, and have fun together, yay!”
A, Exhibitonism: is exposing ones genitals in order to achieve sexual gratification.
B, Fetishism. Is when a person prefers to become sexually exited by objects (fetishes)
C, Frouteurism involves obtaining of sexual arousal from touching and robbing against a non-consenting person.
D, Pedophilia – Sexual activities with young children.
E, Sexual sadism-is inflicting suffering on humiliation on ones partner to achieve sexual arousal.
F, Sexual Masochism - Achieving sexual arousal by receiving pain from ones partner.
G, Transvecticfetishism.Obtaining sexual gratification from cross dressing.
H, Voyeurism. A person derives sexual pleasure from looking at people who are naked or engaging in sexual activities without their knowledge.
Discuss the forms of anxiety
a.Panic Disorder:
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences recurring and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that often come with physical symptoms like rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath
b.Phobias: Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. Common phobias include fear of heights, spiders, flying, and enclosed spaces. When faced with the phobic stimulus, individuals may experience extreme anxiety or panic attacks.
c.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Common obsessions include fears of contamination, doubts about safety, and a need for symmetry.
d.Generalized Anxiety Disorder
is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry and anxiety about various aspects of life, such as health, work, relationships, and everyday situations.
Dicuss the major mood disorders
a.Depression
is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
b.Manic depression
During manic episodes, individuals may experience elevated mood, increased energy levels, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior.
Dicuss the major mood disorders
a.Depression
is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
b.Manic depression
During manic episodes, individuals may experience elevated mood, increased energy levels, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior.
Sexual disorders
a. changes in appetite
b. Changes in sleep patterns
c. low energy levels
d. difficulty concentrating
e. feelings of worthlessness or guilt
d. even thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
