PDs: Cluster C

Question 1

What is cluster C in personality disorders?

Answer 1

The anxious & fearful type.

Question 2

What personality disorders are listed in cluster C?

Answer 2

• Avoidant Personality Disorder.
• Dependant Personality Disorder.
• Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder.

Question 3

What are the core beliefs or underlying assumptions in Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Answer 3

Very low self-esteem, believe that they are inferior and incompetent. Believe that they are unlovable.

Question 4

What is the prevalence of Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Answer 4

3.9-4.6%

Question 5

Why do people with Avoidant Personality Disorder avoid social situations?

Answer 5

Because they feel uncomfortable in social situations, they are hypersensitive to criticism, disapproval, shame, ridicule or rejection.

Question 6

People with Avoidant Personality Disorder often avoid activities that involve a lot of personal contact, what are examples?

Answer 6

They have jobs that are secluded, and enjoy hobbies that are isolated like video gaming.

Question 7

People with Avoidant Personality Disorder often stay in the same position in the same job for a long time, why is that?

Answer 7

They don’t like to take promotions or advancements at work, they would prefer to stay in the same position out of a fear of inadequacy.

Question 8

What other disorders are comorbid with Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Answer 8

Dependant Personality Disorder and Mood, Anxiety and Eating Disorders.

Question 9

What is the difference between Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder? And what is the difference in treatment?

Answer 9

New research suggests that Social Anxiety is actually a less severe form of Avoidant Personality Disorder. However, SA people are less rigid and have more insight, as it is not a part of their personality. CBT is helpful in treating SA, whereas Schema Therapy is better for APD. In APD, their disorder is who they are, it’s their identity.

Question 10

What does Dependant Personality Disorder involve?

Answer 10

The person has a pervasive need to be taken care of and lack the confidence to take care of themselves. They have a reliance on others.

Question 11

What cognitive factors underline Dependant Personality Disorder?

Answer 11

A lack of self confidence, the need for constant reassurance.

Question 12

What kinds of relationships do people with Dependant Personality Disorder often find themselves in?

Answer 12

Due to their submissive nature, they can often fall into abusive relationships where they are exploited and have a fear of abandonment.

Question 13

What is the prevalence of Dependant Personality Disorder?

Answer 13

0.5-0.6%

Question 14

As a way to summarise Dependant Personality Disorder, what is the -
Self view?
View of others?
Threats?
Strategy?
Affect?

Answer 14

• Self view: needy, weak, helpless & incompetent.
• View of others: the caretaker is strongly idealised, can function well as long as the idealised figure is accessible.
• Threats: rejection or abandonment.
• Strategy: to cultivate a dependant relationship by subordinating themself.
• Affect: anxiety is heightened when there is a disruption to the relationship. they are depressed if the strong figure is removed and euphoric when they are with them.

Question 15

Why might it take a while for someone with Dependant Personality Disorder to seek help?

Answer 15

Because they feel content as long as the carer is there. They will (normally) only present to a clinician if the strong figure is removed.

Question 16

What is Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder involved with?

Answer 16

A person with a pervasive pattern of perfectionism and orderliness. They are rigid, inflexible and stubborn.

Question 17

What aspect of Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder effects the person’s interpersonal relationships?

Answer 17

The excessive need for control interferes with the ability to maintain interpersonal relationships or employment.

Question 18

What are people with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder often preoccupied with?

Answer 18

Rules, minor details, structure.

Question 19

People with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder have an intense attention to detail, what does this interfere with?

Answer 19

The ability to complete tasks on time.

Question 20

What are the unrealistic standards held by people with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Answer 20

Unrealistic standards of morality, ethics, or values.

Question 21

People with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder have extremely high standards for themselves… and?

Answer 21

Others.

Question 22

People with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder are not driven by anxiety, what are they driven by?

Answer 22

They value perfection and orderliness, it is who they are, it is their identity.

Question 23

What do people with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder believe about others who are not like them?

Answer 23

That they are a little bit above others.

Question 24

What is the prevalence of Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Answer 24

2.1 - 7.9%

Question 25

What other disorders is Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder comorbid with?

Answer 25

Borderline PD, narcissistic PD, histrionic PD, paranoid PD & schizotypal PD.

Question 26

As a way to summarise Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder, what is the -
Self view?
View of others?
Threats?
Strategy?
Affect?

Answer 26

• Self view: responsible for themself and others. driven by ‘should’s’ (‘things SHOULD be done this way’).
• View of others: too casual, irresponsible, self indulgent & incompetent.
• Threats: any flaws, errors, disorganisation. they catastrophise (‘things will get out of control’)
• Strategy: system of rules, standards and ‘should’s’. overly directing, punishing and disapproving.
• Affect: regrets, disappointment, anger toward self and others because of perfectionistic standards.

Question 27

In what ways is Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder different from Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder?

Answer 27

In OCD the thoughts are distressing, which leads them to act compulsively.
In OCPD the thoughts are not distressing, they align with the person’s values and desire to be perfect. It is bound with their personality and thus quite hard to treat, probably need Schema Therapy.

Question 28

When might a person with Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder seek treatment?

Answer 28

They won’t seek treatment because of symptoms but because they had an issue at work, etc.