Personality Disorders And Relationship Problems Flashcards
What is personality?
Collection of characteristics or traits that determine our actions, based on nature and nurture.
What are the Big 5 personality traits?
OCEAN
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extroversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
What contributes to the development of personality?
->Genetic influence; Heritability of Cluster B personality, and relationship between schizotypal, schizophrenia and borderline personality
->Poor attachment and inconsistent parenting
->Severe childhood trauma and adverse intrauterine experience
->Low levels of serotonin found in impulsive and violent individuals
What is a trait?
Consistent stable characteristic of an individual, inferred by a pattern of thoughts/feelings/behaviours that is determined by genes and the environment.
What is the psychodynamic theory for personality disorder?
The personality consists of the
Id: basic primal part for instant gratification Superego: Moral conscience for how to behave
Ego: Rational self that is perceived by others
Childhood experiences like arrested development within the oral, anal or genital phases lead to the development of personality disorders. They are a defence mechanism to protect the self from anxiety.
What is the cognitive behavioural theory for personality disorders?
An individual develops dysfunctional maladaptive schemata, that become core beliefs from early childhood experiences, that are maintained in adulthood.
An innately temperamental vulnerability combined with a dysfunctional environment lead to emotional dysregulation, an incoherent sense of self, narrow focus of attention and deficit in self-reflection.
What is a personality disorder?
Persistent: Evident in adolescence and continues in adulthood
Pervasive in most areas of life
Pathological distress to self or others and impairs function
This affects interpersonal relationships, is enduring with an onset prior to adulthood and cannot be explained by other mental disorders or organic brain disease.
What is a Cluster A personality disorder?
Characterised by peculiar, eccentric or odd behaviour, with features like social withdrawal and distorted thinking.
Includes:
->Paranoid: sensitive, suspicious and distrustful of others
->Schizoid: emotionally cold and detached from others, excessive fantasisation
->Schizotypal: peculiar ideas, perceptions, appearance and behaviour that creates interpersonal distress with family/friends
What is a Cluster B personality disorder?
Characterised by difficulty controlling emotions and displaying erratic and dramatic behaviour.
Includes:
-> Narcisstic
-> Histrionic
-> EUPD/BPD
-> Antisocial
What is a Cluster C personality disorder?
Characterised by anxious and fearful behaviours. Include:
-> Anankastic
-> Anxious
-> Dependent
What is the epidemiology of personality disorders?
-> More men than women
->Form a disproportionately high level of the prisoner population, making up half
-> 5-10% of the general population
What is the most common type of personality disorder in men?
Most common type in men is emotionally unstable, borderline personality, antisocial and schizotypal
What is the most common type of personality disorder in wommen?
Most common type is:
-> Borderline personality disorder
-> Histrionic personality disorder
-> Dependent personality disorder
What is emotionally unstable personality disorder?
A type of Cluster B personality which is more common in males than females. There is a tendency to act impulsively without consideration for the consequences, and an affective instability. Outbursts of intense anger is often violent when impulsive actions are criticised or prevented.
What are the criteria for impulsive type borderline personality disorder?
Must fulfil three of the following:
-> Tendency to act impulsively without considering consequences
-> Liable to outbursts of anger or violence
-> Difficulty maintaining action without immediate reward
-> Unstable mood
-> Tendency to be in conflict with others
What are the criteria for borderline personality disorder?
At least three criteria must be met:
-> Disturbances in self-image and pretences
-> Involved in intense and unstable relationships that lead to emotional abandonment
-> Excessive efforts to avoid abandonment
-> Recurrent threats or acts of self-harm
-> Chronic feelings of emptiness
What is the criteria for dissocial personality disorder?
FIGHTS
Forms relationships easily but can’t maintain them
Irresponsible behaviour
Guiltless
Heartless and callous attitude
Temper easily lost
Someone else’s fault
What is the mnemonic for paranoid personality disorder?
SUSPECT
Suspicious
Unforgiving
Sensitive about setbacks
Possessive
Excessive self importance
Conspiracy theories
Tenacious sense of rights
What is the mnemonic for schizotypal personality disorder?
MEPECULIAR
Magical thinking
Experiences unusual perceptions
Paranoid ideation
Eccentric behaviour
Constricted affect
Unusual thinking
Lacks close friends
Ideas of reference
Anxiety in social situations
Rule out psychotic diagnosis
What is anxious personality disorder?
A type of Cluster C personality disorder C
What is dependent personality disorder?
A type of Cluster C personality disorder where there is a pervasive over-reliance on others to meet emotional needs through reassure Ment. They find expressing disagreement difficult and fear being alone.
Commonly, they seek out companionship when a romantic relationship ends and rely on other people for their life responsibilities.
What is Narcisstic personality disorder?
Type of Cluster B personality disorder characterised by:
Grandiose attitude of self-importance and arrogance
Excessive need for admiration
Inability to empathise
Sense of entitlement and envious of others
What is avoidant personality disorder?
Type of Cluster C personality disorder characterised by:
->Excessive social anxiety and inhibiton which leads to embarrassment and restraint in relationships
->Fear of shame and the view of the self as inferior
->Uses avoidance as a maladaptive coping mechanism
What is schizoid personality disorder?
Cluster A personality disorder where an individual has:
Detached affect
Indifferent to criticism or praise
Tasks are done alone
Absence of close friends
