Personality Disorder

Question 1

What is personality?

Answer 1

the enduring characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving

Question 2

Personality Disorder

Answer 2

consistently inflexible and maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving or controlling impulses that: deviate from cultural norms/expectations, cause distress, and impair social and occupational functioning

Question 3

4 defining features of personality disorders

Answer 3

you need two of the four which are: distorted thought patterns, problematic emotional responses, over/under regulated impulse control, and interpersonal dificulties

Question 4

What is controversial about personality disorder?

Answer 4

is it the actual disorder versus difficult personality?
-disorders as distinct types or simply extreme values on trait dimensions (Big 5 traits)

Question 5

What are the three clusters personality disorders are categorized?

Answer 5

odd/eccentric cluster, dramatic/erratic cluster, and anxious/inhibited cluster

Question 6

Odd/Eccentric Cluster

Answer 6

-dominated by distorted thinking
paranoid: tense, guarded, private, suspicious
schizoid: extreme introversion, withdrawn, socially isolated
schizotypal: strange beliefs, eccentric, “magical thinking”, difficulty forming relationships, speech is elaborate or difficult to follow

Question 7

Dramatic/Erratic Cluster

Answer 7

-impulse control and emotional regulation problems
antisocial: impoverished conscience, manipulative, callous, lacks empathy, impulsive, aggressive
borderline: moody, intense unstable relationships, impulsive, chronic anger
histrionic: unstable emotions, constant attention seeking, overly dramatic, shallow emotions
narcissistic: self absorbed, inflated sense of self importance, exploitative of others

Question 8

Anxious/Inhibited Cluster

Answer 8

-high feeling of anxiety
avoidant: socially anxious, desires social contact but afraid of being hurt/rejected
dependent: submissive, dependent, requires constant approval/advice, clingy
obsessive-compulsive: overly conscientious, orderly, perfectionistic, inflexibility high standards

Question 9

Etiology of Personality Disorders

Answer 9

diathesis: stress model says etiology is a combination of biology (genetic makeup and temperament) and environment (experiences/stressors)