Personality Disorders

Question 1

Define Personality Disorders

Answer 1

Deeply ingrained and enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour
Deviates from expectations of individuals culture
Is Pervasive and Unflexible

Onset in adolescence/early adulthood

Question 2

define personality?

Answer 2

refers to an individuals differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving

Question 3

Give four potential aetiologies of Personality Disorder

Answer 3

• Low socioeconomic status - Social Reinforcement of Abnormal
• Behaviour Poor Parenting and parental deprivation
• Genetic
• Abuse During Childhood

Question 4

Describe the ICD10 classification of Personality Disorders

Answer 4

Cluster A - ‘Odd and a Eccentric’

Cluster B - ‘Dramatic and Emotional’

Cluster C - ‘Anxious and Fearful’

Question 5

Describe the three subcategories of Cluster A Personality Disorder

Answer 5

• Paranoid
• Schizoid
• Schizotypal

Question 6

what is and give some clinical features of Paranoid Personality Disorder

Answer 6

presents as suspicious and mistrusting, misinterpreting events as persecutory, bearing grudges, strong sense of personal right. thinks the whole world is against them

• Suspicious of Others
• Unforgiving
• Criticism not liked
• Envious

Question 7

what is and give four clinical features of Schizoid Personality Disorder

Answer 7

present as detached, solitary, aloof, little interest in people and sex, indifferent, lacking close

Detached No emotion Indifferent to Praise or Criticism No hallucinations or delusions

Question 8

what is schizotypal disorder?

Answer 8

presents as eccentric, odd behaviour and thinking, unconventional beliefs

Question 9

Describe the 4 subcategories of Cluster B Personality Disorder

Answer 9

• Borderline - emotionally unstable
• Narcissistic
• Dissocial/antisocial
• Histrionic

Question 10

what is and give four clinical features of Borderline Personality Disorder

Answer 10

present with emotional instability, impulsivity, parasuicidal acts, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense & unstable relationships, feared abandonment

• Abandonment Feared
• Mood Instability
• Suicidal Behaviour
• Intense Relationships

Question 11

what is and give four clinical features of Dissocial Personality Disorder

Answer 11

present with unconcern for feelings of others, disregard for rules, impulsivity, low tolerance to frustration, failure to take responsibility

• Callous
• Others Blamed
• Reckless
• Remorseless

Question 12

what is and give four clinical features of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Answer 12

present as theatrical, dramatic, exhibit superficial emotionality, seductiveness, suggestibility

• Provocative
• Attention Seeking
• Egocentric
• Shallow

Question 13

Describe the three subcategories of Cluster C Personality Disorder

Answer 13

Dependent
Anxious-avoidant
Anankastic

Question 14

what is narcissistic personality disorder?

Answer 14

present as grandiose, self important, degrading others

Question 15

What is and give four clinical features of Dependent Personality Disorder

Answer 15

present with needing others to make decisions for them, fear abandonment, unable to cope alone, need for reassurance

Reassurance required
Expressing disagreement is difficult
Abandonment feared
Exaggerated fears

Question 16

what is and give four clinical features of Anxious Personality Disorder

Answer 16

present with persistent anxiety, sensitive to rejection, tend to avoid relationships unless acceptance is guaranteed

• Certainty of being liked needed
• Inadequacy felt
• Social inhibition
• Potential embarrassment prevents involvement

Question 17

what is and give four clinical features of Anankastic Personality Disorder

Answer 17

present as rigid, stubborn, perfectionistic, preoccupied with rules, order and routine, have higher sense of morality

• Preoccupation with detail
• Workaholic
• Meticulous
• Stubborn

Question 18

Describe two questionnaires for Personality Disorder

Answer 18

Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire

Question 19

What psychological testing could you do for Personality Disorder

Answer 19

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Question 20

Describe the biological management of Personality Disorders

Answer 20

• Treat comorbid psychiatric illness/substance misuse
• Risk assessment - esp emotionally unstable PD
• Pharmacologically may use antipsychotics/antidepressants/mood stabilisers
• Written crisis plan

Question 21

Describe the psychological management of Personality Disorders

Answer 21

CBT
Psychodynamic Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Question 22

Describe the social management of Personality Disorders

Answer 22

Support Groups

Aim not to admit as will form attachments and behaviour will worsen

Question 23

what medications can be used to treat personality disorders?

Answer 23

atypical antipsychotics - short term for transient psychotic periods in certain PDs

Mood stabilisers - used in emotionally unstable. PD for symptoms such as mood instability and aggression

small role for anti-depressants

Question 24

Schizotypal personality disorder is very similar to Schizoid. How can you differentiate the two?

Answer 24

Schizotypal is characterised by more unusual thought and behaviours