Personality disorders

Question 1

Cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder

Answer 1

Pervasive and unjustified mistrust and suspicion

• Biological and psychological causes are unknown
• Early learning that people and the world are dangerous

Question 2

Treatment for cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder

Answer 2

few seek professional help on their own
Treatment focuses on development of trust
Cognitive therapy to counter negativistic thinking
lack of good outcome studies

Question 3

Cluster A personality disorders

Answer 3

Paranoid, Schizoid, schizotypal

Question 4

Cluster B Personality disorders

Answer 4

Antisocial, Borderline, histrionic, narcissistic

Question 5

Cluster C Personality disorders

Answer 5

Avoidant, dependent, obsessive compulsive

Question 6

Schizoid personality disorder

Answer 6

Pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships

Very limited range of emotions in interpersonal situations

Question 7

Causes of schizoid personality disorder

Answer 7

Etiology is unclear
Childhood shyness
Preference for social isolation: resembles autism

Question 8

Treatment for schizoid

Answer 8

Few seek professional help on their own
Focus on the value of interpersonal relationships
Building empathy and social skills
Lack of good outcome studies

Question 9

Schizotypal personality disorder

Answer 9

Behavior and dress is odd and unusual
Socially isolated and highly suspicious
Magical thinking ideas of reference and illusions
Many meet criteria for major depression
Some conceptualize this as resembling a milder form of schizophrenia

Question 10

Treatment of Schizotypal

Answer 10

• 30-50% meet criteria for major depressive disorder
• Main focus is on developing social skills
• Address comorbid depression
• Medical treatment similar to treatment for schizophrenia
• Treatment prognosis is generally poor

Question 11

Cluster B: Antisocial personality disorder

Answer 11

*Failure to comply with social norms
*Violation of the rights of others
*Irresponsible, impulsive, and deceitful
*Lack of conscience, empathy, and remorse
*“Sociopathy” “Psychopathy” Typically refer to this disorder or very similar traits
May be very charming, interpersonally manipulative

Question 12

Treatment for antisocial personality disorder

Answer 12

–Few seek treatment on their own
–Antisocial behavior is predictive of poor prognosis
–Emphasis is placed on prevention and
rehabilitation
–Often incarceration is the only viable alternative
–May need to focus on practical (or selfish)
consequences (e.g., if you rob someone, you’ll have to serve time)

Question 13

Development of antisocial personality disorder

Answer 13

•Genetic influences
–More likely to develop antisocial behavior if parents have a history of antisocial behavior or criminality
•Developmental influences
–High-conflict childhood increases likelihood of APD in at-risk children
•Neurobiological influences
–Antisocial traits are not well explained by neuropsychological research

Question 14

Cluster B: borderline personality disorder

Answer 14

–Unstable moods and relationships
–Impulsivity, fear of abandonment, very poor self-image
–Self-mutilation and suicidal gestures
–Comorbidity rates are high with other mental disorders, particularly mood disorders

Question 15

Causes of borderline

Answer 15

–High emotional reactivity

–Runs in families

Question 16

Treatment for borderline

Answer 16

•Treatment options
– few good outcome studies
–Antidepressant medications provide some short-term relief
–Dialectical behavior therapy is most promising treatment
•Focus on dual reality of acceptance of difficulties and
need for change •Focus on interpersonal effectiveness •Focus on distress tolerance to decrease reckless/self-
harming behavior

Question 17

Cluster B: Histrionic Personality Disorder

Answer 17

–Overly dramatic, sensational, and sexually provocative
–Often impulsive and need to be the center of attention
–Thinking and emotions are perceived as shallow
–More commonly diagnosed in females

Question 18

Cluster B: Histrionic Personality Disorder Causes

Answer 18

Etiology is largely unknown; Variant of antisocial personality expressed in more feminine way?

Question 19

Cluster B: Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment

Answer 19

–Focus on attention seeking and long-term negative consequences
–Targets may also include problematic interpersonal behaviors
–Little evidence that treatment is effective]

Question 20

Cluster B: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Answer 20

–Exaggerated and unreasonable sense of self-importance
–Preoccupation with receiving attention
–Lack sensitivity and compassion for other people
–Highly sensitive to criticism; envious, and arrogant

Question 21

Cluster B: Narcissistic Personality Disorder Causes

Answer 21

–Failure to learn empathy as a child

–Sociological view – product of the “me” generation

Question 22

Cluster C: Avoidant Personality Disorder

Answer 22

–Extreme sensitivity to the opinions of others
–Highly avoidant of most interpersonal relationships
–Are interpersonally anxious and fearful of rejection
–Low self esteem

Question 23

Cluster C: Avoidant Personality Disorder Causes

Answer 23

–Numerous factors have been proposed

–Difficult temperament and early rejection

Question 24

Cluster C: Avoidant Personality Disorder Treatment

Answer 24

–Several well-controlled treatment outcome studies exist
–Treatment is similar to that used for social phobia
–Treatment targets include social skills and anxiety

Question 25

Cluster C: Dependent Personality Disorder

Answer 25

–Reliance on others to make major and minor life decisions
–Unreasonable fear of abandonment
–Clingy and submissive in interpersonal relationships

Question 26

Cluster C: Dependent Personality Disorder causes

Answer 26

–Still largely unclear

–Linked to early disruptions in learning independence

Question 27

Cluster C: Dependent Personality Disorder treatment

Answer 27

–Research on treatment efficacy is lacking
–Therapy typically progresses gradually
–Treatment targets include skills that foster
independence

Question 28

Cluster C: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Answer 28

–Excessive and rigid fixation on doing things the right way

–Highly perfectionistic, orderly, and emotionally shallow

Question 29

Cluster C: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Causes

Answer 29

–Largely unknown

–Weak genetic link

Question 30

Cluster C: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder treatment

Answer 30

–Data supporting treatment are limited
–Address fears related to the need for orderliness
–Rumination, procrastination, and feelings of inadequacy