Chapter 14: personality disorders

Question 1

personality

Answer 1

• thoughts, feelings, and attitudes that make up each individual
• some theorists believe personality is developed at a very young age; some believe it evolves and changes throughout life

Question 2

personality disorders

Answer 2

• maladaptive behavior leads to significant functional impairment or subjective ditress
• ineffective personality development and overuse of defense mechanisms
• affects the way humans interpret and respond to the world
• most major theorists agree that personality disorders originate in early childhood
• many psychiatric patients have at least one personality disorder

Question 3

categories of personality disorders

Answer 3

• 10 personality disorders
• these 10 are divided into 3 clusters: odd behavior, dramatic behavior, fearful behavior
• odd behavior incudes paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal personality disorders
• dramatic behavior includes borderline, antisocial, narcissistic personality disorders
• fearful includes dependent, avoidant, obsessive compulsive

Question 4

causes of personality disorders

Answer 4

• personality disorders often have their roots in difficult relationships w/ parental figures
• though each disorder has its own dynamics, this relationship is the thread that runs through all of them
• genetics may be a factor in some of these disorders as well

Question 5

antisocial

Answer 5

• a pattern of irresponsible, exploitative, and guiltless behavior w/ tendency to fail to conform to the law and exploit and manipulate others for personal gain; popularly known as sociopathic
• difficulty following rules
• high association w/ criminal behavior

Question 6

avoidant personality

Answer 6

• individual w/ extreme sensitivity to rejection leading to avoidance of social contacts
• may appear shy or socially awkward

Question 7

borderline personality

Answer 7

• unstable behavior
• exhibit both clinging and distancing behaviors
• known to use manipulation to reduce their anxiety to achieve goals
• manipulative behavior can present as overly intense attachment to staff

Question 8

narcissistic personality

Answer 8

• those who have this disorder tend to display an exaggerated impression of self w/ an inflated sense of self importance
• another characteristic is limited ability to empathize with others’ problems because they see everything through their own eyes

Question 9

obsessive compulsive

Answer 9

• obsessions and compulsions that are severe enough to interfere w/ social and occupational function in a person
• preoccupied w/ rules, orderliness, and control
• extremely disciplined and appear rigid
• important to recognize this personality disorders differs from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that is characterized by recurrent obsessions and compulsions and has its own category in the DSM

Question 10

schizotypal

Answer 10

• characterized by odd and eccentric behavior but not to the degree of schizophrenia
• aloof and isolated
• may use language and/or gestures that only have meaning to the individual

Question 11

medical treatment for personality disorders

Answer 11

• difficult to treat; rarely hospitalized, unless for a separate medical or surgical condition
• people w/ personality disorders may not seek out mental health treatment of their disorder until it drains their coping reserves
• patients often don’t perceive they have a problem
• medications to treat depression, anxiety, delusions may be helpful
• group therapy (peer pressure helps modify behavior)

Question 12

goal of medical and nursing treatment

Answer 12

• increase motivation and socialization
• make efforts to avoid stereotyping or judging this pt based on information that they have a personality disorder
• pts w/ these disorders can present challenges for their hcp as maladaptive mechanisms are used to cope w/ the stresses of their illnesses

Question 13

nursing interventions

Answer 13

• promote trust
• set limits
• use effective therapeutic communication
• confront behavior as necessary
• maintain calm, safe milieu