General Personality Disorders

Question 1

Personality

Answer 1

an ingrained, enduring pattern of behaving and relating to the self, others, and the environment; it includes perceptions, attitudes, and emotions
-the totality of emotional and behavioral characteristics that are particular to a specific person and that remain somewhat stable and predictable over time

Question 2

Many Factors Influence Personality

Answer 2

• biologic factor make-up
• genetic make-up
• acquired as a person develops and interacts with the environment and other people

Question 3

Personality Disorders

Answer 3

diagnosed when there is impairment of personality functioning and personality traits that are maladaptive
-occur when these traits deviate markedly from the expectations of an individuals culture. Become rigid and inflexible, contribute to maladaptive patterns of behavior or impairment in functioning, and lead to distress

Question 4

Temperament

Answer 4

refers to the biologic process of sensation, association, and motivation that underlie the integration of skills and habits based on emotion

Question 5

4 Temperament Traits

Answer 5

-Harm Avoidance
-Novelty Seeking
-Reward Dependence
-Persistence
These patterns are ingrained by 2 to 3 years of age (they affect a persons automatic responses to certain situations)

Question 6

High Harm Avoidance

Answer 6

exhibit fear of uncertainty, social inhibition, stress with strangers, rapid fatigability, and pessimistic worry in anticipation of problems
-may result in maladaptive inhibition and excessive anxiety

Question 7

Low Harm Avoidance

Answer 7

care free, energetic, outgoing, and optimistic

-may result in unwarranted optimism and unresponsiveness to potential harm or danger

Question 8

High Novelty Seeking

Answer 8

Temperament trait

• quick tempered, curious, easily bored, impulsive, extravagant, and disorderly
• may be easily bored and distracted with daily life, prone to angry outbursts, and fickle in relationships

Question 9

Low Novelty Seeking

Answer 9

Temperament Trait
-slow-tempered, stoic, reflective, frugal, reserved, orderly and tolerant of monotony, may adhere to a routine of activities

Question 10

Reward Dependence

Answer 10

Temperament Trait

-defines how a person responds to social cues

Question 11

High in Reward Dependence

Answer 11

• tender-hearted, sensitive, sociable, and socially dependent
• may become overly dependent on approval from others and readily assume the ideas or wishes of others without regard for their own beliefs or desires

Question 12

Low Reward Dependence

Answer 12

practical, tough-minded, cold, socially insensitive, irresolute, and indifferent to being alone
-social withdrawal, detachment, aloofness, and disinterest in others can result

Question 13

Highly Persistent

Answer 13

hardworking and ambitious overachievers who respond to fatigue or frustration as a personal challenge
-may persevere even wen a situation dictates they should change or stop

Question 14

Low Persistence

Answer 14

inactive, indolent, unstable, and erratic

-tend to give up easily when frustrated and rarely strive for higher accomplishment

Question 15

Character

Answer 15

consists of concepts about the self and the external world

-develops overtime as a person comes in contact with people and situations an confronts challenges

Question 16

3 Character Traits

Answer 16

• Self-directness
• Cooperativeness
• Self-transcendence

Question 17

Self-directness

Answer 17

extent to which a person is responsible, reliable, resourceful, goal-oriented, and self-confident

• is realistic and effective and can adapt their behavior to achieve goals
• low= blaming, helpless, irresponsible, and unreliable. Cannot set and pursue meaningful goals

Question 18

Cooperativeness

Answer 18

extent to which a person sees themselves as an integral part of human society

• highly cooperative–> empathic, tolerant, compassionate, supportive, and principled
• -low= self-absorbed, intolerant, critical, unhelpful, revengeful, and opportunistic; look out for themselves without regard for the right and feelings of others

Question 19

Self-transcendence

Answer 19

extent to which a person considers themselves to be a part of the universe

• are spiritual, unpretentious, humble, and fulfilled
• low= practical, self-conscious, materialistic, and controlling; difficulty accepting suffering, loss of control, personal and material losses and death

Question 20

Psychopharmacology

Answer 20

focuses on the clients symptoms rather than the particular subtype

Question 21

4 Symptom Categories that Underlie Personality Disorders

Answer 21

• Cognitive- perceptual distortions and psychotic symptoms
• Affective symptoms and mood dysregulation
• Aggression and behavioral dysfunction
• Anxiety

Question 22

Points to Consider When Working with Clients with Personality Disorders

Answer 22

• talking to colleagues about feelings of frustration will help deal with emotional responses so you can be more effective with clients
• clear, frequent communication with other healthcare providers can help diminish the clients manipulation
• do not take undue flattery or harsh criticism personally; result of clients personality disorder
• set realistic goals and remember that behavior changes in personality disorders take a long time, progress can be slow

Question 23

Risk Factors

Answer 23

• impulsive displays of temper
• inability to express feelings verbally
• physically self-damaging acts
• attention-seeking behavior
• ineffective coping skills