Personality Disorders

Question 1

What is the general criteria for a personality disorder?

Answer 1

Pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from individual’s culture

Question 2

Cluster A

Answer 2

Odd and eccentric - Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal

Question 3

Cluster B

Answer 3

Dramatic, emotional and erratic - Anti-Social, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic

Question 4

Cluster C

Answer 4

Anxious and fearful - Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive Compulsive PD

Question 5

What is generally associated with a personality disorder?

Answer 5

Abuse - emotional, physical or sexual

Question 6

What are some characteristics of personality disorder?

Answer 6

• Pt has “always been this way”
• High degree of chaos in pt’s life
• Pt doesn’t see his/her behavior as problematic
• Externalizes and blames others for his/her problems

Question 7

Paranoid PD

Answer 7

• Pervasive mistrust & suspiciousness

- Reluctant to confide in others with fear the information will be used against him/her

Question 8

Schizoid PD

Answer 8

• Loners
  􏰂- Emotionally / socially detached
  􏰂- Restricted range of emotional expression
  􏰂- Indifferent to praise or criticism

Question 9

Schizotypal PD

Answer 9

• Odd thinking and magical beliefs
• Superstitious
• Suspicious
• Loners

Question 10

The pt has unusual ideas about the cause of his symptoms
The pt is a loner
The pt is superstitious and suspicious
Overall, the encounter with the pt seems odd

— Make the diagnosis

Answer 10

Schizotypal PD

Question 11

Antisocial PD

Answer 11

• Disregard for the rights of others
• Socially irresponsible
• Impulsive, irritable, can be aggressive
• Lack empathy & remorse
• Can be glib and charming

Question 12

Borderline PD

Answer 12

• Instability in relationships and self-image
• Impulsivity
• Suicidal behavior

Question 13

Histrionic PD

Answer 13

• Dramatic! Attention seeking
• Entertaining…”the life of the party”
• Rapidly shifting, shallow emotions
• May be provocative, seductive

Question 14

What gender is histrionic PD more often seen in?

Answer 14

Females

Question 15

What gender is antisocial PD more often seen in?

Answer 15

Males

Question 16

What gender is borderline PD more often seen in?

Answer 16

Females

Question 17

What gender is narcissistic PD more often seen in?

Answer 17

Males

Question 18

Narcissistic PD

Answer 18

• Pathological sense of self-importance 􏰅
• Sense of entitlement, “special”
  􏰅- Interpersonally exploitative
  􏰅- Lack empathy, arrogant
  􏰅- Fragile self-esteem

Question 19

What are some behavior patterns that are common in Cluster B PD?

Answer 19

• Self injury
• Acting out
• Controlling

Question 20

The pt thinks they are better than most other people
The pt manipulates others to achieve what s/he wants
The pt thinks they deserve special treatment
The pt looks down on others

–Make the diagnosis?

Answer 20

Narcissistic PD

Question 21

Avoidant PD

Answer 21

• Socially inhibited
• Hypersensitive to negative evaluation
• Low self esteem
• Feels socially inadequate

Question 22

Dependent PD

Answer 22

• Great difficulty making decisions
• Difficulty expressing disagreement with others
• Urgently seeks new relationship when close relationship ends
  - Feels unable to care for self, helpless

Question 23

Obsessive Compulsive PD (different than OCD!)

Answer 23

• Preoccupied with rules, details, order
• Perfectionism, inflexibility & high need for control
• Over conscientious, micromanagers
• Rigidity and stubbornness

Question 24

What is the difference in OCD and OCPD?

Answer 24

OCD has to do with obsession and compulsions and is egodystonic - symptoms make patient UNCOMFORTABLE

OCPD has to do with order, rules and perfectionism and is egosyntonic - symptoms are OKAY to patient

Question 25

The pt has a lot of trouble making decisions The pt rarely voices an opinion that is at odds with what others think The pt elicits feelings of protectiveness from his/her physician The pt has low self efficacy -- Make the diagnosis?

Answer 25

Dependent PD

Question 26

What are some possible medical causes of a PD?

Answer 26

- Temporal lobe epilepsy - Head trauma - Brain tumor - Huntington's