Personality Disorders Flashcards
What is personality disorder
Consistent and problematic patterns of behavior
- Significant deviation from individual cultural standard
- Rigid and maladaptive personality traits
Leads to unhappiness and functional impairment
Cluster A personality disorders
Paranoid
Schizoid
Schizotypal
werid disorders
Defining characteristics = odd and eccentric behaviors
Cluster B types personality disorders
Antisocial
Borderline
Histrionic
Narcissistic
Wild
Defining characteristics = dramatic, emotional, erratic and cant control impulses
Cluster C personality disorders
Avoidant
Dependent
Obsessive- compulsive
worried
Defining features = anxious and fearful and low self-esteem
Paranoid personality disorder
Cluster A behavior
- general distrust of others
- everyone is out to get them
- hyper-vigilance
- has a profound cynical view of the world
- manner is never humorous, always serious
- look emotionless often
- can act out sometimes
- speech is goal directed and logical though. They appear like a rational person with speech and thought process, just not thought content
- uses ideas of reference and logically define their illusions/delusions
- are cold, distant and possibly argumentative if given self-criticism
Uses the ego defense of projection the most
Schizoid behavior disorder
Cluster A disorder
- Appear cold aloof detached and almost never make eye contact
- no interest what so ever in relationships and social engagements. Is content with social isolation*
- speech is goal directed but never tries to engage in conversation
- thought content may include unwarranted sense of intimacy with people they have not seen in a long time*
- little to no interest in sexual experiences
- indifferent to praise and criticism*
- do recognize reality but little care in other people and events
uses the ego defense of fantasy and dissociation the most
Schizotypal personality disorder
Cluster A behavior
MUST screen for schizophrenia
- speech is distinctive or peculiar
- often show lack of social situations and live in solitary lives
- may be superstitious or claim they have super powers
- thought content can include perceptual illusions
- often emotionless, show apathy and have difficulties expressing their emotion
- often present with rare complications or presentations in practice due to unconventional heath beliefs and practices
uses the ego defense of fantasy the most
Antisocial behavioral disorder
Cluster B behavior
- appear composed
- are always angry, hostile and irritable
- complete absence of delusions and other signs of irrational thinking
- NEVER tell the truth and often cant be trusted to carry out any task
- don’t adhere to conventional standard of morality or to the community standards
- shows no remorse for behavior
- ego defense = rationalization, distortion and isolation*
- are often males and usually requires a diagnosis of conduct disorder before the age of 15 and then turn into antisocial once they hit 18*
Narcissistic personality disorder
Cluster B behavior
- grandiose sense of self-importance*
- consider themselves better than others
- cannot show empathy and fake sympathy*
- interpersonal difficulties
- cant get close to others (assumes everyone is jealous or conviction of them)
- occupational problems
- take rejection hard
- very fragile self-esteem (often get violent or aggressive in response to criticism)*
- doesn’t always need to be center of attention*
- frequently co-exists with other psychiatric conditions*
- ego defense = denial, rationalism, acting out
Histrionic personality disorder
Cluster B disorder
- show high degrees of attention seeking behavior that is often over dramatic*
- displays temper tantrums and tears and accusations when not the center of attention or receiving praise
- shallow and liable emotions*
- often varying disorganized and cannot complete tasks that require planning in a timely manner
- very sexually provocative and often dress to impress*
- relationships flip constantly and always assumes they are more intimate then they are*
- always tries to draw attention for praise and drives attention away or tries a to gain self pity for failures (needs to be center of attention)**
- fragile self-esteem and is hypersensitive
ego defense used = reaction formation, idealization, displacement
Borderline personality disorder
Cluster B personality
- mood and relationships are always super unstable
- mood flips within hours-days*
- intense fear of abandonment (they are terrified and it’s often not logical reasoning)*
- high suicidal ideation and self-mutilation*
- difficulty in expressing emotions properly*
- unaware of consequences of actions
- chaotic sexual behavior and relationships (they hate the person one second and the next they feel like they are the “love of their life”)*
- need feelings of being wanted
- often can mimic dependence at times
- lack a clear self-identity*
- can show all types of psychotic disorders
- disturbances in body images
- far more common in females
- treatment = dialectical behavioral therapy (therapy specific for borderline)
- ego defense = splitting, acting out and regression*
75% of patients with BPD have suicidal ideation and up to 10% are successful
is the hardest personality to deal with
Avoidant behavior
Cluster C disorder
- Hypersensitivity to rejection and criticism*
- low self-esteem
- express uncertainty with new things
- generally are unwilling to enter relationships (fears of shame and rejection)*
- socially inhibited
- desires relationships with others though (opposite schizoid)*
- extreme shyness
- often avoids occupational activities involving significant interpersonal contact
Dependent behavior
Cluster C disorder
- will not be alone and always needs support*
- low-self esteem
- often stays in abusive relationships*
- hates confrontation*
- often experiences panic and anxiety attacks, especially to change*
Ego defense = regression, identification
Obsessive-compulsive behavior
Cluster C disorder
- is overall preoccupied with rules, regulations, orderliness and neatness
- stiff formal and rigid demeanors
- affect is often constricted
- anything that is “threatening” to stability jacks up anxiety*
- *is ego-syntonic with their actions
Ego defense = regression, fantasy intellectualism
General Treatment of personality disorders
Psychotherapy (CBT) is a mainstay 1st line
- must show empathy and make sure they know their disorder cannot be cured, but managed
- also need to know if any co-morbidities are present
- therapy must be structured and consistent with rules and expectations. Stay consistent
Pharmacotherapy for additional psychiatric or co-morbidities diagnoses (if present)
- is required, will get nowhere if not treated.
