Personality disorders

Question 1

Temperament

Answer 1

basic biological disposition toward certain behaviours
Genetically coded influences of nature
e.g. irritable

Question 2

Character

Answer 2

crystallized influence of environment/nurture

characteristics acquired during our upbringing

Question 3

Personality dimensions

Answer 3

Openness to experience
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism

Question 4

Openness to experience

Answer 4

intellectual, creative, insightful

shallow, unimaginative, unreflective

Question 5

Conscientiousness

Answer 5

organized, efficient, dependable, perfectionist, persistent

careless, erratic, forgetful

Question 6

Extraversion

Answer 6

sociable, expressive, spontaneous, energetic, verbose

withdrawn, silent, shy, inhibited

Question 7

Agreeableness

Answer 7

cooperative, amiable, empathic, respectful

antagonistic, harsh, impolite

Question 8

Neuroticism

Answer 8

insecure, self-critical, anxious, touchy, excitable, jealous

unemotional, autonomous

Question 9

Personality disorder

Answer 9

DSMV
enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from expectations of person’s culture
manifested in at least 2 areas: cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning, impulse control
Pervasive, inflexible across time and situation
causes subjective distress OR functional impairment
onset in late adolescence or young adulthood
Not due to substance use/another medical condition

Question 10

Paranoid - pattern

Answer 10

disgust, suspicious, guarded, self-righteous

may interpret motives as malevolent

Question 11

Schizoid - pattern

Answer 11

detached, aloof, restricted emotions

indifferent, remote, doesn’t connect

Question 12

Schizotypal pattern

Answer 12

relation discomfort, eccentric, cognitive/perceptual distortions
odd, may blur reality and fantasy, difficult to report symptoms

Question 13

Borderline pattern

Answer 13

instability in relationships, mood, self-image

unpredictable, impulsive, suicide risk

Question 14

Histrionic pattern

Answer 14

excessive emotionality, attention-seeking

“everything hurts all over”

Question 15

antisocial pattern

Answer 15

disregard for others, violate others’ rights

superficially charming, hostile when confronted

Question 16

Narcissistic ptatern

Answer 16

grandiose, need admiration, lack empathy

“I am special, my problem is unique”

Question 17

Avoidant pattern

Answer 17

social inhibition, feel inadequate, hypersensitive

hesitant, embarrassed, self-conscious

Question 18

Dependent pattern

Answer 18

submissive, clingy, excessive need for care

seek constant reassurance/feedback

Question 19

Obsessive-compulsive pattern

Answer 19

preoccupied: orderliness, control, perfectionism

Question 20

Personality disorder treatments

Answer 20

Psychological: dialectical behaviour therapy, interpersonal, longer-term support required
Group therapy: in vivo interpersonal experiences
Some can be managed with medication:
- schizotypal via low dose of antipsychotics
SSRIs/mood stabilizers for borderline

Question 21

Considerations in diagnosis of personality disorders

Answer 21

Very cautious; need extensive psychological/psychiatric assessment
very sticky/stigmatizing diagnosis
manage higher risk foro ther mental disorders
stress generation