Personality Disorders

Question 1

Define Personality Disorders

Answer 1

Deeply ingrained and enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour
Deviates from expectations of individuals culture
Is Pervasive and Unflexible

Onset in adolescence/early adulthood

Question 2

Give four potential aetiologies of Personality Disorder

Answer 2

Social Reinforcement of Abnormal Behaviour
Poor Parenting
Genetic
Abuse During Childhood

Question 3

Describe the ICD10 classification of Personality Disorders

Answer 3

Cluster A - ‘Odd and a Eccentric’
Cluster B - ‘Dramatic and Emotional’
Cluster C - ‘Anxious and Fearful’

Question 4

Describe the three subcategories of Cluster A Personality Disorder

Answer 4

Paranoid
Schizoid
Schizotypal

Question 5

Give four clinical features of Paranoid Personality Disorder

Answer 5

Suspicious of Others
Unforgiving
Criticism not liked
Envious

Question 6

Give four clinical features of Schizoid Personality Disorder

Answer 6

Detached
No emotion
Indifferent to Praise or Criticism
No hallucinations or delusions

Question 7

Describe the three subcategories of Cluster B Personality Disorder

Answer 7

Borderline
Dis social
Histrionic

Question 8

Give four clinical features of Borderline Personality Disorder

Answer 8

Abandonment Feared
Mood Instability
Suicidal Behaviour
Intense Relationships

Question 9

Give four clinical features of Dissocial Personality Disorder

Answer 9

Callous
Others Blamed
Reckless
Remorseless

Question 10

Give four clinical features of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Answer 10

Provocative
Attention Seeking
Egocentric
Shallow

Question 11

Describe the three subcategories of Cluster C Personality Disorder

Answer 11

Dependent
Anxious
Anankastic

Question 12

Give four clinical features of Dependent Personality Disorder

Answer 12

Reassurance required
Expressing disagreement is difficult
Abandonment feared
Exaggerated fears

Question 13

Give four clinical features of Anxious Personality Disorder

Answer 13

Certainty of being liked needed
Inadequacy felt
Social inhibition
Potential embarrassment prevents involvement

Question 14

Give four clinical features of Anankastic Personality Disorder

Answer 14

Preoccupation with detail
Workaholic
Meticulous
Stubborn

Question 15

Describe two questionnaires for Personality Disorder

Answer 15

Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire

Eysenck Personality Questionnaire

Question 16

What psychological testing could you do for Personality Disorder

Answer 16

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Question 17

Describe the biological management of Personality Disorders

Answer 17

Treat comorbid psychiatric illness/substance misuse

Pharmacologically may use antipsychotics/antidepressants/mood stabilisers

Question 18

Describe the psychological management of Personality Disorders

Answer 18

CBT
Psychodynamic Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Question 19

Describe the social management of Personality Disorders

Answer 19

Support Groups

Aim not to admit as will form attachments and behaviour will worsen

Question 20

Schizotypal personality disorder is very similar to Schizoid. How can you differentiate the two?

Answer 20

Schizotypal is characterised by more unusual thought and behaviours