Personality Disorders

Question 1

The 3 highest prevailing personality disorders are…

Answer 1

OCPD, Antisocial, Avoidant

Question 2

Name some problems with diagnosing PD’s

Answer 2

1. Diagnostic reliability
2. Stability over time
3. Factorial validity

Question 3

Name some advantages and disadvantages of the dimensional model of classifying PDs, plus give an example of a dimensional approach

Answer 3

AD - retains more info
- flexible
- avoids classification dilemmas that arise from borderline cases
DIS - variables expressed as continuous might mask underlying, latent class taxons
E.g 5 factor model

Question 4

Name some advantages and disadvantages of the categorical model of classifying PDs

Answer 4

AS - ease of communication + conceptualisation
- more constant with common language and clinical decision making
DIS - Loss of info
- assumes all members of class are homogenous and other cats are mutually exclusive

Question 5

List the general DSM criteria for personality disorder

Answer 5

Enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that departs markedly from cultural expectations, manifested in 2 or more:
- cognition
- interpersonal
- impulse control
- affect
Pattern is inflexible and pervasive
Leads to distress or impairment
Stable and of long duration (childhood/adolescence onset)

Question 6

Name the general characteristic of the 3 PD catagories, and the PD which are catagorised under each

Answer 6

Cluster A Odd, quirky, eccentric
- Schitzoid
- Schizotypal
- Paranoid
Cluster B - Emotional, Erratic, Dramatic
- Anti-social
- histrionic
- borderline
- Narcissistic
Cluster C - Anxious or fearful
- OCPD
- avoidant
- dependent

Question 7

Describe Paranoid PD

Answer 7

• distrust and suspicion of others

- interpretation that what others do and say is directed at them

Question 8

Describe Schizoid PD

Answer 8

• detachment from social relationships and emotional expression
• no interest in involvement with others
• devoid of emotions
• absorbed in own thoughts

Question 9

Describe Schizotypal PD

Answer 9

• social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort
• offbeat, eccentric, magical thinking, superstitious, abstract
• social anxiety

Question 10

Describe Borderline PD

Answer 10

• unstable interpersonal rels, self-image, affect and impulsivity
• intense bouts of anger, depression and anxiety
• fear of abandonment
• emotional, interpersonal, cognitive, behavioural dysregulation

Question 11

Describe Histrionic PD

Answer 11

• attention/emotion seeking behaviour

- dramatic, flamboyant, overreactive

Question 12

Describe Narcissistic PD

Answer 12

• grandiose, need for admiration, lack of empathy

- self-abosorbed, others there to serve needs

Question 13

Describe Anti-social PD

Answer 13

• flagrant disregard/violation of the rights of others

- impulsive, irresponsible, reckless, lie, cheat, steal

Question 14

Describe Avoidant PD

Answer 14

• social inhibition, inadequacy and fear of neg evaluation
• avoidance of new experiences/people
• sensitive to criticism
• fear of disapproval, rejection

Question 15

Describe Dependant PD

Answer 15

• Clingy, submissive

- point our own shortcomings so others will be nice

Question 16

Describe OCPD

Answer 16

• preoccupation with perfectionism, order, inflexibility

- details and rules

Question 17

Cluster ___ PD’s are more likely to be associated with abuse and neglect

Answer 17

B

Question 18

Name and describe a common treatment method for borderline PD

Answer 18

DBT - mindfulness and acceptance

• empathy
• problem solving and social skills

Question 19

Name and describe the level of impairments according to the Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS)

Answer 19

0 - healthy/adaptive
1 - some impairment
2 - moderate
3 - severe
4 - extreme