Personality Disorder (cluster c)

Question 0

What are the diagnostic criteria for dependent personality disorder?

Answer 0

A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behaviour and fears of separation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety if contexts, as indicated by 5 or more of the following: has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others; needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of their life; has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval; has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of lack of self-confidence); goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant; feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for themself; urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends; is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself

Question 1

What are the diagnostic criteria of avoidant personality disorder?

Answer 1

A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts as indicated by 4 or more of the following: avoids occupational activities that involve significant personal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval or rejection; is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked; shows restraint within intimate relationships because of fear of being shamed or ridiculed; is preoccupied with being criticised or rejected in social situations; is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy; views self as socially inept, personally unappealing or inferior to others; is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing

Question 2

What are the diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Answer 2

A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control at the expense of flexibility, openness and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by 4 or more of the following: is preoccupied with rules, lists, order, organisation or schedules to the extent that the point of the activity is lost; shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion; is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships; is over conscientious, scrupulous and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics or values; is unable to discard worn-out objects even when they have no sentimental value; is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly their way of doing things; adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others- money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophe; shows rigidity and stubbornness