Personality Disorders Flashcards
What are the key features of personality disorders?
- Symptoms present since adolescence
- Stable over time - deeply engrained and enduring
- Manifests in different environments
- Traits recognisable by friends and family
- Leads to distress/functional impairment
How can PDs be classified?
“Mad, bad and sad”/”Weird, wild and worriers”
- Cluster A = odd/eccentric
- Paranoid
- Schizoid
- Cluster B = dramatic/emotional
- Emotionally unstable/borderline
- Dissocial
- Histrionic
- Cluster C = anxious
- Dependent
- Avoidant
- Anankastic/obsessive-compulsive
Outline the key features of paranoid PD
Suspicious of others, bears grudges, jealous, cold affect
Outline the key features of schizoid PD
Flattened affect, indifferent to praise/criticism, “loner”, cold, few interests.
Very similar to schizophrenia, but no psychosis
Outline the key features of dissocial/antisocial PD
Lack of empathy/remorse, reckless, impulsive, rocky relationships, violent
Outline the key features of emotionally unstable/borderline PD
Intense unstable relationships, impulsive, unstable affect, poor control of anger, anhedonia, emptiness/fear of abandonment
Outline the key features of histrionic PD
Shallow affect, attention-seeking, flirty, egocentric, demanding/manipulative
Outline the key features of dependent PD
Requires reassurance, finds it hard to say no, no self confidence, clingy, not a leader
Outline the key features of anxious PD
Tense, self-conscious, avoids social interaction
Outline the key features of anankastic PD
Excessively rigid, cautious, stubborn, preoccupation with rules, perfectionist, conscientious, pedant, inflexible and fussy, needs control
What are the general principles of management of a PD?
- Identify and treat and co-morbid disorders
- Risk assess
- Written crisis plan
- Consider psych and pharm therapies
Outline the management of PDs according to the bio-psycho-social model
Bio (all off licence):
- Atypical antipsychotics
- Mood stabilisers
- Antidepressants
Psych:
- CBT
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- DBT
Social:
- Support groups
- Social support, e.g. housing
