Personality disorders Flashcards
Why is a specific history with precipitating factors and pre-morbid personality so important?
Mental illness, when it arises, comes as a disruption
from that individual norm
What are some characteristics we think of in the history of a personality disorder?
Something that is persistent across the lifespan
In different settings
In a way that is not better explained by another disorder
What are some characteristics of a paranoid personality disorder?
General distrust of others that gets in the way of normal relating
Often precipitated by past events
What are some effects of distrust which may present with a paranoid personality disorder?
Tendency to anger or to feel slighted
What are some characteristics of a schizoid personality disorder?
Striking indifference to social contact with others
May show hints of deep yearning for relatedness
What are some characteristics of schizotypal personality disorder?
Patient may come across as markedly odd/eccentric
Psychotic-like experiences
What are some psychotic-like experiences associated with schizotypal personality disorder?
Intuitions
Magical thoughts
How might borderline personality disorder present?
Distress when relationships are strained
Difficult behaviour to manage strong feelings resulting from these strains
Frantic efforts to avoid abandonment
What are the 2 main classification problems with BPD?
Pathologises responses to the abuse that often has been part of the
history
Applied to a higher degree to women
What is the most effective management for BPD?
Mentalisation based treatment
Improves their ability to think about their
feelings at times they feel more distressed, and aims to help them make better sense of others’
intentions
How does narcissistic personality disorder present?
Very high opinion of themselves
Little sense of what matters to others
Often a deep sense of inadequacy
What characterises antisocial personality disorder?
Persistent
Criminal conduct and remorselessness about those affected by it
Can be very callous and even enjoy violence in extreme cases
Manipulative, cunning charm
What is histrionic personality disorder?
Tendency to dramatic displays of emotion that seem to ring hollow
May be openly flirtatious and continuously seeking appreciation
How might obsessive compulsive personality disorder present?
Strong intrusive thoughts that are calmed by rituals
Tendency towards obstinateness, rigidity, and significant anxiety at anything that is disorderly
Is obsessive compulsive disorder often the presenting complaint?
No
Presentation may be with the associated anxiety
