Chapter 15 - Personality Disorders

Question 0

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Answer 0

Classified in odd-eccentric personality disorders (Cluster A); characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression; these individuals are traditional loners; others see them as unavailable, aloof, or detached.

Question 1

Personality Disorder

Answer 1

Represents an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture; the pattern is inflexible, stable, and generally begins in adolescence and leads to distress or impairment; characteristics of these disorders are especially apparent when these individuals find themselves in situations that are beyond their ability to cope.

Question 2

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Answer 2

Classified in odd-eccentric personality disorders (Cluster A); characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others; the interpersonal style of these individuals is often quarrelsome, stubborn, and rigid in their own beliefs, which can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question 3

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Answer 3

Classified in odd-eccentric personality disorders (Cluster A), characterized by odd beliefs and behaviors; an individual may show excessive social anxiety as well as show unusual ideas.

Question 4

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Answer 4

Classified in dramatic emotional personality disorders (Cluster B); the criteria include acts since the age of 15 such as repeated participation in illegal acts, deceitfulness, impulsiveness, hostility and aggression, engagement in dangerous acts, irresponsible behavior, and absence of remorse.

Question 5

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Answer 5

Classified in dramatic emotional personality disorders (Cluster B); characterized by an instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, and a sense of self; these three factors interact with each other in such a manner that the person with borderline personality disorder experiences a changing world without a solid sense of self.

Question 6

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Answer 6

Classified in dramatic emotional personality disorders (Cluster B); characterized by a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking; being the center of attention is one key element and the person may use a number of means for gaining attention; if they are not the center of attention, they become uncomfortable.

Question 7

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Answer 7

Classified in dramatic emotional personality disorders (Cluster B); characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, a sense of privilege or entitlement, and a lack of empathy for others; individuals often think about how special they are and the ways in which they will succeed in all types of ways including business, love, competitiveness, and so forth; they may also make unreasonable demands on others in relation to their view of themselves. In doing so, they ignore the experiences or needs of others.

Question 8

Empathy

Answer 8

One aspect of a healthy self and positive personal relationships; it includes understanding how another person experiences his life and what that person might want to accomplish as well as the ability to experience and accept different perspectives toward life and goals and how one’s own behavior may influence others.

Question 9

Dependent Personality Disorder

Answer 9

Classified in anxious fearful personality disorders (Cluster C); characterized by a pervasive pattern of clinging and being submissive; the person has difficulties making everyday decisions without reassurance from others resulting in a desire for others to assume responsibility for most areas of one’s life; their lack of experiencing a self who can plan and direct their behavior leaves them in a position that requires that they always be with another; otherwise, they tend to feel anxious and helpless when alone.

Question 10

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Answer 10

Classified in anxious fearful personality disorders (Cluster C); characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals avoid many social interactions, especially those involving close relationships with other people; one key feature is the fear of being criticized or evaluated by others.

Question 11

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Answer 11

Classified in anxious fearful personality disorders (Cluster C); characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control of one’s environment; individuals would be described as workaholics; they themselves would see little need for taking time off or just spending time with other people; in dealing with others, they may appear rigid and use standards not called for in the current situation.

Question 12

Extraversion

Answer 12

As a personality trait, it is associated with sociability, cheerfulness, energy, and a sense of fun; as a dimension in the five-factor model (FFM), this dimension ranges from being passive, quiet, and inner-directed to being active, talkative, and outer-directed.

Question 13

Healthy Self

Answer 13

One conceptualization suggested in the fifth edition of the DSM-5 is to consider the healthy self in terms of a “Self and Interpersonal Functioning Continuum,” which includes the aspects of identity, self-direction, empathy, and intimacy.

Question 14

Identity

Answer 14

One aspect of a healthy self; this includes 1) seeing oneself as a unique person with stable boundaries between herself and others; 2) having a history that the person understands; e) having an accurate sense of who she is and what she can accomplish; and 4) appreciating her abilitities

Question 15

Self-Direction

Answer 15

One aspect of a healthy self; it reflects the ability to have both meaningful short-term and long-term goals consistent with one’s identity as well as a sense of what would be productive for society and how to interact with others; internally, healthy self-direction also includes the ability to reflect on one’s life in a productive manner.

Question 16

Positive Interpersonal Relationships

Answer 16

One aspect of a healthy self; characterized by interpersonal relationships in which the person relates to others in an intimate and empathetic manner.

Question 17

Intimacy

Answer 17

One aspect of a healthy self and positive personal relationships; it includes having a relationship with another person that includes mutual connectedness and a valuing of that other person; it values closeness and seeks it when appropriate.

Question 18

Five-Factor Model (FFM)

Answer 18

A model of personality based on a factor analytic approach to personality developed by Robert McCrae and Paul Costa, which suggested five major personality dimensions: extraversion, neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

Question 19

Neuroticism

Answer 19

As a personality trait, it is associated with a tendency to express distressing emotions and difficulty experiencing stressful situations; as a dimension in the five-factor model (FFM), this dimension ranges from being calm, even-tempered, and comfortable to being worried, temperamental, and self-conscious.

Question 20

Openness

Answer 20

As a personality trait, it is associated with curiosity, flexibility, and an artistic sensitivity, including imaginativeness and the ability to create a fantasy world; as a dimension in the FFM, this dimension ranges from inventive and curious to cautious and conservative.

Question 21

Agreeableness

Answer 21

Associated with being sympathetic, trusting, cooperative, modest, and straightforward; as a dimension in the FFM, this dimension ranges from being friendly and compassionate to being competitive and outspoken.

Question 22

Conscientiousness

Answer 22

As a personality trait it is associated with being diligent, disciplined, well-organized, punctual, and dependable; as a dimension in the FFM, this dimension ranges from being efficient and organized to easygoing and careless.

Question 23

Odd-Eccentric Personality Disorders (Cluster A)

Answer 23

A grouping of personality disorders within the DSM-5; these include schizoid personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder; individuals with these disorders typically feel uncomfortable of suspicious of others or restrict their relationships.

Question 24

Dramatic Emotional Personality Disorders (Cluster B)

Answer 24

A grouping of personality disorders within the DSM-5; includes antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder; individuals with these disorders show a wide diversity of patterns of social and emotional interactions with others.

Question 25

Psychopathy

Answer 25

A disorder characterized by showing emotional detachment with a lack of empathy for the experiences of others; also showing impulsive behavior and a callousness concerning their actions.

Question 26

Anxious Fearful Personality Disorders (Cluster C)

Answer 26

A grouping of personality disorders within the DSM-5; these include avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder; the behavior of individuals with these disorders is one of fearfulness and avoidance.

Question 27

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Answer 27

One of the first researched treatment approaches for borderline personality disorders; it was developed by Marsha Linehan, who describes it as a blend of behavioral science, dialectical philosophy, and Zen practice; the cornerstone of DBT therapy is based on problem solving and acceptance of the experience of the moment.

Question 28

Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy (DDP)

Answer 28

Developed for clients who find therapy difficult as well as for those who may also have substance abuse problems; designed to help individuals with borderline personality disorder develop a coherent sense of self.

Question 29

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP)

Answer 29

A twice-weekly therapy based on Otto Kernberg’s object relations model; as with other approaches, TFP seeks to reduce symptoms of borderline personality disorder, especially self-destructive behaviors.