Personality Disorder

Question 1

Dialectical behaviour therapy is an effective treatment for?

Answer 1

BPD.

Question 2

Treatment for personality disorders?

Answer 2

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).
CBT.
Cognitive analytical therapy (CAT).
Treatment of co-existing psychiatric conditions.

Question 3

At what age can a personality disorder be diagnosed?

Answer 3

After the age of 18 (with exception of BPD).

Question 4

Define personality disorder

Answer 4

Pervasive pattern of behaviour and undesirable personality traits which causes the individual long-term difficulties in their interpersonal relationships and functioning in society.

Question 5

Which psychiatric co-morbidities are associated with borderline PD?

Answer 5

Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD, substance misuse, bipolar disorder.

Question 6

Which PD are more common in females?

Answer 6

Borderline, histrionic and dependent.

Question 7

Which are the most prevalent PD?

Answer 7

Borderline, antisocial and schizotypal.

Question 8

Define personality

Answer 8

Collection of characteristics/traits that an individual has developed as they grow up and make them an individual.

Question 9

What contributes to personality development?

Answer 9

Genetics, childhood experiences (trauma, attachment disorder, early life adversity).

Question 10

Describe the criteria for personality disorder

Answer 10

Persistent, pervasive and pathological.
Impacts on relationships and emotional regulation.
Appears in childhood/adolescence and continues into adulthood.
Not directly resulting from disease, damage or other insult to brain, or from another psychiatric disorder.
It causes personal distress.
It is an extreme/significant deviation from the way an average indivisible thinks, feels and behaves.

Question 11

What is cluster A and which PD are included?

Answer 11

Odd/eccentric.
Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal.

Question 12

What is cluster B and which PD are included?

Answer 12

Dramatic, emotional/erratic.
Antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic.

Question 13

What is cluster C and which PD are included?

Answer 13

Anxious and fearful.
Obsessive-compulsive, avoidant, dependent.

Question 14

Describe the main characteristics of paranoid PD

Answer 14

Hypersensitive and unforgiving.
Reluctance to confide in others.
Conspiracy theories.
Suspicious.

Question 15

Describe the main characteristics of schizoid PD

Answer 15

Indifference to praise and criticism.
Preference for solitary activities.
Lack of interest in sexual interactions.
Emotional coldness.
Few interest and friends.

Question 16

Describe the main characteristics of schizotypal PD

Answer 16

Odd beliefs and magical thinking.
Odd, eccentric behaviour.
Lack of close friends.
Social anxiety.

Question 17

Describe the main characteristics of antisocial PD

Answer 17

Failure to conform or social norms, repeatedly performing crimes.
Deception.
Irritability and aggression.
Reckless disregard for safety.
Lack of remorse.
Blames others.

Question 18

Is antisocial PD more common in men or women?

Answer 18

Men

Question 19

Describe the main characteristics of borderline PD

Answer 19

Unstable interpersonal relationships.
Unstable self-image.
Impulsivity.
Recurrent suicidal behaviour.
Affect inability.
Chronic feelings of emptiness.
Difficulty controlling temper.

Question 20

Describe the main characteristics of histrionic PD

Answer 20

Inappropriate sexual seductiveness.
Need to be centre of attention.
Shallow expression of emotions.
Suggestibility.
Appearance focused.
Impressionistic and vague speech.

Question 21

Describe the main characteristics of narcissistic PD

Answer 21

Grandiose.
Fantasies of unlimited success, power or beauty.
Sense of entitlement.
Taking advantage of others.
Lack of empathy.
Excessive need for admiration and attention.
Chronic envy.
Arrogant.

Question 22

Describe the main characteristics of obsessive-compulsive PD

Answer 22

Occupied with details, rules, lists, order, organisation or agenda.
Perfectionist.
Meticulous, scrupulous and rigid.
Unwilling to pass on tasks or work with others except if they surrender to exactly their way of doing things.
Stiffness and stubbornness.

Question 23

Describe the main characteristics of avoidant PD

Answer 23

Fears of criticism/rejection so avoids social/occupational activities.
Restraint in intimate relationships due to fear of being ridiculed.
Embarrassment prevents new activity/risk taking.
Views self as inept and inferior.
Social isolation with craving for social contact.

Question 24

Describe the main characteristics of dependent PD

Answer 24

Excessive reassurance before making decisions.
Life responsibility assumed by others.
Difficulties expressing disagreement.
Companionship sought urgently when relationship ends.
Fear of abandonment.
Feels hopeless when alone.

Question 25

What are the 4 skills taught in DBT?

Answer 25

Mindfulness.
Distress tolerance.
Interpersonal effectiveness.
Emotional regulation.

Question 26

What is cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)?

Answer 26

Explores how a person thinks, feels and acts with regards to their past experiences. Helps understand personal and emotional development.

Question 27

What are the prominent trait features in ICD-11 classification of PD?

Answer 27

Negative affectivity, detachment, disinhibition, dissociality, anankastia, borderline.