Personality Disorders

Question 1

Two main views of diagnosing PD’s

Answer 1

1. Categorical View - Clusters A,B,C
2. Dimensional View - “PD with extreme traits in ___”

Question 2

Cluster A PD’s

Answer 2

Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal

Question 3

Cluster B PD’s

Answer 3

Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic

Question 4

Cluster C PD’s

Answer 4

Antisocial, Obsessive-Complusive, Avoidant, Dependant

Question 5

Aetiology of Antisocial (genetics, neurobiology and enviro)

Answer 5

Genetics: 35-45% heritability, key genes are ones coding for serotonin
Brain: PFC, amygdala and reward pathway alterations
Enviro: childhood trauma

Question 6

Treatment for Antisocial PD difficulties

Answer 6

• often lie
• often have little insight
• medication only has limited evidence

Question 7

Treatment for Antisocial PD

Answer 7

• Early intervention is good
• Parent training
• Good to collect collateral information (due to possible lying)
• some medications can be used to decrease aggression

Question 8

Antisocial PD vs Psychopaths/sociopaths

Answer 8

Psychopathy is a trait, not in DSM-V

People with psychopathy likely have ASD but many people with ASD would not reach the threshold score for psychopathy

Question 9

The phrase to summarise borderline PD

Answer 9

“stable instability”

Question 10

True or False: the self harm rate of BPD is 90-95%

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Common comorbidities for Borderline PD

Answer 11

PTSD, Eating Disorders, Substance use, Mood Disorders, Schizotypal PD

Question 12

BPD treatment

Answer 12

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Question 13

Skills taught in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Answer 13

1. Mindfulness skills
2. Interpersonal skills
3. Emotional regulation
4. Distress tolerance skills

Question 14

Meds for BPD

Answer 14

• No longer SSRIs
• If impulse control or emotional stability is bad: mood stabilisers
• if there is cognitive or perceptual issues: antipsychotics