Personality Disorder

Question 1

Features of paranoid personality disorder

Answer 1

SUSPECT
Suspicious 
Unforgiving
Sensitive
Possessive 
Excessive self-importance 
Conspiracy theories 
Tenacious sense of rights 

• like positive symptoms of schizophrenia without the psychosis

Question 2

Features of schizoid personality disorder

Answer 2

Anhedonia 
Limited emotional range 
Little sexual interest 
Excessive fantasy world
Lacks close relationships

• like autism

Question 3

Features of antisocial (dis social) personality disorder

Answer 3

Callous unconcern for the feeling of others
Low threshold for violence and aggression
Incapacity to experience guilt or to profit from experience - especially punishment
Blames others

–> psychopathy is severe form of antisocial personality disorder

Question 4

Emotionally unstable impulsive type PD

Answer 4

Emotional instability and lack of control

Outbursts of violence and threatening behaviour are common especially in response to criticism

Question 5

Borderline type emotionally unstable personality disorder

Answer 5

Emotionally unstable
Chronic feelings of emptiness
Intense unstable relationships causing repeated emotional crises
Associated excessive efforts to avoid abandonment
Suicidal threats or self harm

Question 6

Histrionic personality disorder

Answer 6

Self dramatisation/theatrical 
Suggestibility 
Shallow 
Centre of attention 
Inappropriate seductiveness 
Over concern with physical attractiveness 

Like Regina George!!

Question 7

Anankastic personality disorder

Answer 7

Most like obsessive compulsive disorder

Pre-occupation with details, rules, lists, order, organisation and schedule

Perfectionists

Pedantic, rigid and stubborn

Question 8

Anxious personality disorder

Answer 8

Pervasive tensions and apprehensions
Believe them to be socially inept, unappealing or inferior to others
Unwillingness to become involved unless certain of acceptance
Restriction of lifestyle because of need for security
Avoidance of activities because of fear of criticism, disapproval or rejection

Question 9

Dependent personality disorder

Answer 9

Allow others to make important life decisions
Subordination of own needs to those of others on whom they are dependent
Fear of being abandoned
Uncomfortable or helpless when alone

Question 10

Aetiology of personality disorder

Answer 10

• Genetics
• Early trauma
• Non-traumatic inherited tendencies towards anxiety…
• Neurophysiological impairment

Question 11

Treatment of personality disorder

Answer 11

1. Pharmacotherapy - especially treats co-morbid depression or psychosis
2. Psychodynamic phsychotherapy
3. Mentalisation based therapy

Question 12

Estimate percentage of those in the community with personality disorder

Answer 12

10%