Personality Disorders

Question 1

What is the definition of “personality disorders?”

Answer 1

Patterns of relating to and understanding others that are so maladaptive, inflexible, and deeply ingrained that they produce significant social impairment.

Question 2

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Answer 2

Nondelusional paranoia; unjustified doubts; misreading harmless remarks or events; quick reactions of anger; holding grudges; expectation of being exploited; unjustified questions.

Question 3

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Answer 3

Detachment from social relationships; preference for being alone; restricted range of affect; lack of close friends; flat affect ; emotionally cold lack of desire for relationships; lack of sexual desire; indifference to opinion of others.

Question 4

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Answer 4

Inappropriate or constricted affect; irrational beliefs; magical thinking; ideas of reference; extreme social anxiety; unusual perceptual experiences (illusions); lack of close friends; paranoid ideation; eccentric appearance.

Question 5

Histrionic Personality Disorder:

Answer 5

Constant demands for approval/praise; exaggeration of emotion; discomfort when not the center of attention; sexual seductiveness; use of physical appearance to draw attention; content of speech lacking detail; suggestibility; rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions; belief that relationships are more intimate than they really are; view of themselves as glamorous and impressive.

Question 6

Narcissistic Personality Disorder:

Answer 6

Sense of entitlement; using others for personal gain; grandiosity; belief that they are special/unique; need for excessive admiration; lack of empathy; envious of others and belief that others are envious of them; fantasies of success/power/love; arrogance.

Question 7

Borderline Personality Disorder:

Answer 7

Unstable relationships; alternation between idealization and devaluation (good object-bad object); feelings of emptiness; mood reactivity; angry outbursts followed by shame/guilt; impulsivity that is self-damaging; avoidance of abandonment (real or perceived); suicidal threats; self-mutilating behaviors; identity disturbance, transient paranoia or dissociation.

Question 8

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Answer 8

Frequent physical fights or assaults; irresponsibility; deceitfulness; reckless disregard for safety; impulsive behavior; lack of remorse.

Question 9

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Answer 9

Fear of being ridiculed; social inhibition; poor self image; preoccupation with being criticized or rejected in social situations; avoidance of new activities; reluctance to take personal risks; restraint in intimate relationships; desire for social relationships; feelings of loneliness.

Question 10

Dependent Personality Disorder

Answer 10

Need for excessive advice/reassurance; need for others to assume responsibility; difficulty doing things independently; lack of self-confidence; going to great lengths to be nurtured/supported; feelings of helplessness; moving from one relationship to the next to receive care and support; difficulty disagreeing with others; need for approval; preoccupation with being left to take care of oneself.