CM: Personality Disorders Flashcards
What are the 3 clusters of personality disorders?
cluster A: odd or eccentric (weird) - paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal
cluster B: dramatic or erratic (wild) - antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic
cluster C: fearful or anxious (worried) - avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive
What is important to remember about personality disorders?
they are ego-syntonic - no matter how maladaptive person accepts behaviors as normal and comfortable
How can paranoid personality disorder be recognized?
pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others, motives interpreted as malevolent
How can schizoid personality disorder be recognized?
detachment from social relationships and restricted expression of emotion, loners, pleasure in few if any activities
How can schizotypal personality disorder be recognized?
social deficits marked by social awkwardness and reduced capacity for close relationships, as well as distortions of thinking or perception and eccentricities of behavior (odd beliefs and thinking, unusual perceptual experiences) - sort of like hippies
How can antisocial personality disorder be recognized?
disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others
must be at least 18 years old*
must be evidence of conduct disorder before 15*
features: lying, aggression, impulsivity, irresponsibility (can’t keep job), lack of remorse
How can borderline personality disorder be recognized?
instability of relationships, self-image, and affects w marked impulsivity
can include suicidal thoughts and behaviors
idealization then devaluation in relationships
feelings of emptiness
How can histrionic personality disorder be recognized?
excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
provocative behaviors, wants to be center of attention, shifting and shallow expressions of emotion, uses physical appearance to draw attention, considers relationships w others to be more intimate than they are
How can narcissistic personality disorder be recognized?
grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy
How can avoidant personality disorder be recognized?
social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation
How can dependent personality disorder be recognized?
excessive need to be taken care of –> submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation
How can obsessive compulsive personality disorder be recognized?
preoccupation w orderliness, perfectionism and control at expense of flexibility, openness and efficiency
What is the difference between OCD and OC personality D?
OCD = anxiety disorder w predominant symptoms of obsessions and/or compulsions OCPD = personality disorder w predominant characteristics of rigidity and control
What are common co-morbid disorders w personality disorders?
schizotypal can be premorbid schizophrenia - not normal but not level of psychosis
antisocial associated w alcohol abuse
borderline associated w mood disorders (depressive, bipolar)
histrionic associated w somatization disorder
avoidant associated w anxiety disorders
What is the role and limitations of psychotherapy for pts w personality disorders?
treatment of choice
limitations: cluster A will be suspicious of therapist, borderline or antisocial will act out, desire for therapist to become decision maker in dependent
ego-syntonic - most pts don’t believe they have problem
