Personality Disorders

Question 1

Characteristics of Personality Disorders

Answer 1

1) Inflexible and maladaptive responses to stress
2) Global, affecting work and relationships
3) Stable and enduring
4) Non-psychotic, except under severe stress
5) Ego-syntonic (The world is the problem, not me)
6) Multiple complications

Question 2

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Answer 2

Odd or Eccentric:

• Paranoid PD
• Schizoid PD
• Schizotypal PD

Question 3

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Answer 3

Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic:

• Antisocial PD
• Borderline PD
• Histrionic PD
• Narcissistic PD

Question 4

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Answer 4

Anxious or Fearful:

• Avoidant PD
• Dependant PD
• Obsessive-Compulsive PD

Question 5

Personality Disorders Onset

Answer 5

Late adolescence or early adulthood

Question 6

Common Co-morbid Psychiatric Conditions

Answer 6

Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Substance abuse/dependance

Question 7

Epidemiology of Personality Disorders

Answer 7

Prevalence:

• 1-5% of general population
• 10-30% of mental health outpatients
• 15-30% of psychiatric inpatients

Antisocial PD: male > female
Borderline PD: female > male

Question 8

Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 8

(At least 5)

1) Frantic efforts to avoid abandonment
2) Unstable, intense relationships
3) Unstable self-image
4) Self-damaging impulsivity
5) Recurrent suicidal behavior, self-mutilation
6) Affective instability
7) Feelings of emptiness
8) Intense and inappropriate or uncontrolled anger
9) Transient paranoia or severe dissociative symptoms