Personality Disorders Flashcards
What does personality disorder cover?
A variety of maladaptive personality traits that cause significant psychosocial distress and interfere with functioning
These traits remain relatively persistent over time and impact life and relationships.
How are personality disorders characterized?
Patterns of thought, behaviour, and emotion that differ from the norm.
What factors are thought to contribute to personality disorders?
A combination of genetic and environmental factors.
What are some example features of borderline personality disorder?
- Strong and intense emotions
- Emotional instability
- Difficulty managing emotions
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Poor sense of identity
- Feelings of emptiness
- Fear of abandonment
- Impulsive and risky behaviour
- Recurrent self-harm
- Recurrent suicidal behaviours
How many categories of personality disorders are defined in the DSM5?
Three categories.
What are the three clusters of personality disorders in the DSM5?
- Cluster A - suspicious
- Cluster B - emotional or impulsive
- Cluster C - anxious
What is paranoid personality disorder characterized by?
Difficulty trusting or revealing personal information.
What is schizoid personality disorder characterized by?
Lack of interest or desire to form relationships with others.
What distinguishes schizotypal personality disorder?
Unusual beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours, along with social anxiety that makes forming relationships difficult.
What is antisocial personality disorder characterized by?
Reckless and harmful behaviour, lack of concern for consequences, often involving criminal conduct.
What are the key features of borderline personality disorder?
Fluctuating strong emotions and difficulty with identity and maintaining healthy relationships.
What characterizes histrionic personality disorder?
Need to be the centre of attention and performing for others to maintain attention.
What features define narcissistic personality disorder?
Feel they are special and need others to recognize this or they get upset, putting themselves first.
What is avoidant personality disorder characterized by?
Severe anxiety about rejection or disapproval and avoidance of social situations or relationships.
What characterizes dependent personality disorder?
Heavy reliance on others to make decisions and take responsibility for their lives, taking a very passive approach.
What characterizes obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
Unrealistic expectations of how things should be done by themselves and others, catastrophizing about outcomes if these expectations are not met.
What is essential in the management of personality disorders?
Risk management.
What psychological therapies are commonly used in managing personality disorders?
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
What type of medications may be used in the management of personality disorders?
Sedatives (short term if crisis).
