Personality disorders Flashcards

1
Q

What is a personality disorder?

A

personality traits/systems that are maladaptive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Five characteristics of personality disorders>

A
  1. Atypical
  2. Causes problems/harm (to individual AND others)
  3. Must include a level of social dysfunction
  4. Stable over time
  5. Ego-syntonic behaviour (behaviours that align with self-perception
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What was Funder’s proposal of how Personality Disorders arise? (2013)

A

PD are a manifestation of healthy typical traits that have gone wrong somehow
-e.g. (independent, self-sufficient>schizoid) (proud>narcissitic)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

2 key characteristics of PD>

A

> social
stable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

ego-syntonic behaviour=

A

Behaviours that align with self-perception

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

2 key characteristics of PD> (1) social: (2) + (2)

A
  1. relative degree of extremity
  2. interpersonal:
    >other people require for expression of traits
    >expression of traits often problematic for others (not self)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

2 key characteristics of PD> (2) stable>

A
  • like other aspects of personality
  • patterns usually emerge in late childhood or adoelsence
  • difficult to change
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How are personality disorders classified: 3 main clusters»

A
  • Cluster A: Odd, eccentric
    (difficult SOCIAL relationships with others)
  • Cluster B: Dramatic, impulsive, erratic,
    (negative impact on others: ‘Outward’ facing)
  • Cluster C: anxious, avoidant fearful
    (most self-damaging: ‘Inward facing’)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

ego-syntonic=

A

“thats who i am” “other people are the problem not me” perception
>makes PD hard to treat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

PD: Cluster A> cluster A is typified by?> (&impact)

A

contains 3 PD;
each typified by COGNITIVE thinking
impact: fractious personal & social relationships

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Ego-dystonic=

A

opposite of ego-syntonic
contradiction between person’s sense of self and what they actually do
>(e.g. morally against stealing, but do so to fund addiction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

PD: Cluster A> includes:

A
  1. Paranoid personality disorder
  2. Schizoid personality disorder
  3. Schizoytpal personality disorder
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

PD: Cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

> extremely distrustful of motives of other people (very isolating)
affects 4% of general population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

PD: Cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder> Behaviours> (3)

A
  • persistent feelings of paranoia
  • hypersensitive (innocent statements as personal attacks)
  • persistent grudges against those perceived to have ‘wronged’ them
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

PD: Cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder> DSM-5> (6)

A

4+ for diagnosis
- without rational evidence, assume others out to exploit them
- preoccupied with trustworthiness of friends & family
- reluctance to confide in others
- persistent grudges regardless of actions to appease
- unjustified suspicions about sexual infidelity
- quick to verbally attack others to defend self

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

DSM=

A

Diagnostic systems manual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

PD: Cluster A: Schizoid personality disorder> what is it? summary?

A

very inward facing, pattern of detachment from interpersonal & social relationships;
affects 1.6% of population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

PD: Cluster A: Schizoid personality disorder> Behaviours (4)

A
  • will ALWAYS seek solidarity
  • lack close network of friends
  • indifferent to praise/criticism
  • limited sexual interest in others
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

PD: Cluster A: Schizoid personality disorder> DSM-5 (6)

A

4+ for diagnosis
- do not seek out close relationships
- takes pleasure in few activities
- always chooses solitary activites
- often no close friends
- emotionally cold to others (no level of attachment shown)
- little/no interest in sexual encounters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

PD: Cluster A: Schizotypal personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

extreme discomfort with close relationships and distortions in thinking
>affects 1.6% of general population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

PD: Cluster A: Schizotypal personality disorder> behaviours> (4)

A
  • Athough aware the feeling originates from themselves a persistent belief others are noticing them
  • Magical thinking: mind can affect physical world (sixth sense, idea control objects with mind etc)
  • Identify objects as having special meanings
  • Speak in metaphors & over-elaborate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

PD: Cluster A: Schizotypal personality disorder: DSM-5 (4)

A

4+ for diagnosis:
- ideas of reference- the world is focused on them & their actions
- regular magical-thinking fantasies- ‘sixth’ sense, telepathy
- body illusions: distortions in sensations which manifest as phantom pains or unusual body feelings
- excessive social anxiety relating to feelings of paranoia about others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

PD: Cluster B> how many disorders? & typified by? & impact?:

A
  • 4 disorders, defined by lack of impulse control & disturbed cognition & affect
    -impact: dramatic & impulsive behaviours which can negatively impact on others
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

PD: Cluster B: includes>

A
  1. Anti-social personality disorder
  2. Borderline personality disorder
  3. Histrionic personality disorder
  4. Narcissistic personality disorder
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

PD: Cluster B: Anti-social personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

General disregard for others which manifests in harmful behaviours;
>affects 0.2-3.3% of the general population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

PD: Cluster B: Anti-social personality disorder> Behaviours (3)

A
  • consistently violate the rights of others with impulsive or reckless behaviour
  • consistently fails to plain or maintain long-term goals
  • difficulty in controlling anger
27
Q

PD: Cluster B: Anti-social personality disorder> DSM-5 (5)

A

3+ for diagnosis & MUST have occured since age 15
- continued failure to conform to social norms (acting within law)
- persistent deceitfulness- (personal profit & pleasure)
- repeatedly fails to plan ahead & instead acts on impulse
- consistent irritability (engagin in physical fights & arguments)
- lack of remorse for actions

28
Q

PD: Cluster B: Borderline personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

unstable in self-image and typically has difficult interpersonal relationships (fear of abandonment)
>affects 0.7%>2.6% of population

29
Q

PD: Cluster B: Borderline personality disorder> behaviours (3)

A
  • poor impulse control (money, substance abuse)
  • persistently seeks the company of others (fear of being alone)
  • stress-related behaviour (anxiety, anger or depression)
30
Q

PD: Cluster B: Borderline personality disorder> DSM-5 (9) + (4)

A

5+ for diagnosis
- frantic efforts to avoid real (or imagined) abandonment
- extremes with personal relationships (e.g. idealisation> dismissive & devaluing)
- identity disturbance (persistently unstable sense of self)
- impulsivity in at least 2 of: (1) eating, (2) driving, (3) sexual behaviour, (4) substance abuse
- repeated attempts at suicide/self-harm during difficult periods
- marked changes in mood (elation>extreme irritability)
- persistent feelings of emptiness
- difficulty controlling anger in social settings
- under duress, exhibit paranoid ideas or disassociation

31
Q

PD: Cluster B: Histrionic personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

Excessive & persistent attention seeking & desire for approval
>affects 1.6-2% of the population

32
Q

PD: Cluster B: Histrionic personality disorder> Behaviours>

A
  • Over-involved in romantic relationships
  • Increasing demands for excessive attention from partner (or others)
  • engage in provocative sexual behaviour (means of attention seeking)
33
Q

PD: Cluster B: Histrionic personality disorder> DSM-5 (8)

A
  • Uncomfortable when not the centre of attention
  • interpersonal interactions often sexual- based or provocative
  • conversations based on creating an impression, not on exchange of ideas/facts/knowledge
  • overly dramatic & engage in expressions of exaggerated emotion
  • easily influenced by others & circumstances
  • insincere & shallow expressions of emotion
  • uses own physical appearance to draw attention to themselves
  • considers relationships to be a great deal more intimate than the actual reality
34
Q

PD: Cluster B: Narcissistic personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

inflated sense of self-importance & pre-occupied with personal achievements
>affects 1.6-2% of the general population

35
Q

PD: Cluster B: Narcissistic personality disorder> Behaviour> (3)

A
  • seeks admiration from others
  • centre inter-personal relationships around themselves
  • engage in fantasies about own achievements
36
Q

PD: Cluster B: Narcissistic personality disorder> DSM-5 (7)

A

5+ for diagnosis
- inflated sense of self (grandiose)
- preoccupied with power fantasies
- believe themselves to be unique
- entitled to what they want (unrealistic expectations)
- tendency to be envious of others who achieve what they want
- arrogant in behaviour + attitude
- exploitative of others & lacking in empathy

37
Q

PD: Cluster C: how many disorders? & characterised by & impact=

A

3 disorders typified by persistent feelings of inadequacy, high anxiety & difficult social relationships
>impact: most self-damaging & least to other

38
Q

PD: cluster C> includes>

A
  1. Avoidant personality disorder
  2. Dependent personality disorder
  3. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
39
Q

PD: Cluster C: Avoidant personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

Due to persistent low self-esteem, are extremely socially inhibited & feel like will be negatively judged by others
>affects 5% of population

40
Q

PD: Cluster C: Avoidant personality disorder> Behaviours (3)

A
  • Avoid social gatherings, (despite some desire to attend)
  • Exhibit traits others would classify as ‘shy’
  • Only form relationships after a long period of developing trust
41
Q

PD: Cluster C: Avoidant personality disorder> DSM-5 (6)

A

4+ for diagnosis
- Avoid activities which involve interpersonal engagement
- Must be certain they will be like before engaging in social activities
- restrained in intimate relationships due to feelings of inadequacy
- preoccupied with possibility of criticism
- self-perception as socially inept
- unusually reluctant to engage in new activities for fear of embarrassment

42
Q

PD: Cluster C: Dependent personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

A persistent and pathological need for others to take care of them (0.6% of the population)

43
Q

PD: Cluster C: Dependent personality disorder> Behaviours> (3)

A
  • Display submissive & ‘clinging’ behaviour
  • let others take the responsibility for major areas of their life
  • Derive self worth from achievements of others
44
Q

PD: Cluster C: Dependent personality disorder> DSM-5 (8)

A

5+ for diagnosis
- Difficulty making everyday decisions
- need others to take responsibility for major areas of their life
- tendency to agree with others for fear of displeasing them
- reluctance to initiate activities due to a lack of confidence
- will go to excessive lengths to please others (even at personal cost)
- uncomfortable alone as fear they will not be able to cope
- quickly seek out a new relationship after one ends
- unrealistically preoccupied with fears of abandonment

45
Q

PD: Cluster C: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder> what is it? summary

A

excessively preoccupied with maintaining order & perfection
>affects 21-7.9% of the population

46
Q

PD: Cluster C: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder> Behaviours> (3)

A
  • Frequent checks to maintain ‘perfection’
  • Inflexible in their approach to completing a task (even if it is inefficient)
  • Resistant to collaboration & accepting ideas from others
47
Q

PD: Cluster C: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder> DSM-5 (7)

A

4+ for diagnosis
- overly preoccupied with details & organisation to the detriment of the task
- interest in perfectionism which interferes with completion of the task
- excessive devotion to work at the cost of personal life
- tendency to enforce rigid moral standards on themselves and others
- unable to discard worthless objects
- does not delegate tasks to others in group activities
- miserly (stingy) with money for themselves and others

48
Q

What is the dark triad? concept

A

idea that 3 traits: narcissism, machiavellianism & psychopathy together create the most toxic, dangerous person that can exist

49
Q

What are the three components of the dark triad?

A

> Narcissism= inflated sense of importance (arroagnce, self-absorbed, selfish)
Machiavellianism= highly manipulative, entirely self-interested, absence of morality
Psychopathy= impulsivity, zero/little empathy, anti-social behaviour

50
Q

The dark triad: Behaviours> (5)

A

> initial encounters= charming & engaging> later fades
perpetual victimhood= gaslight others so they qn reality
relationship dynamics= inability to sustain long-term relationships
pathological lying= inventing fantasy & backstories relevant to context & desires
fulfilment seeking= emotionally, physically & financially

51
Q

Measuring Dark triad>

A
  • found high % of people in business with dark triad
52
Q

Difficulty of measuring dark triad> & how to overcome

A

> self report: cannot trust self-report from pathological liars
can overcome with experimental research:> participant must not know researcher’s intentions

53
Q

PD: Nature or nurture?> study of twins & 3 clusters (Torgersen, 2001)> Findings

A

heritability quotient: 0=all environment; 1=all genetics
>Cluster A: (0.37)
-paranoid: (0.28); schizoid (0.29), schizotypal (0.61)
>Cluster B: (0.60)
-antisocial (NR), Bordeline (0.69), Histrionic (0.67), Narcissistic (0.77)
>Cluster C: (0.62)
-avoidant (0.28), Dependent (0.57), OCD (0.77)
>average across all PDs: (0.60)

54
Q

PD: Nature or nurture?> study of twins & 3 clusters (Torgersen, 2001)> Overall & summary of findings

A
  • Schizotypal (A), Narcissistic (B) & OCD (C) all had very high heritability quotient (0.60+)
  • across all PDs (0.60)
55
Q

PD: Nature or nurture?> study of PD heritability amoung children (coolidge et al, 2001)> outcome>

A

12 personality disorders: (N=112)
outcome: average heritability coefficient=0.75

56
Q

N or N?> study of Childhood & Cluster C PDs (R-K et al, 2008)> which PD was found most likely to be inherited?

A

Avoidant personality disorder most likely to be inherited

57
Q

PD: nature or nurture? trend suggested across data>

A

There is strong evidence for a genetic heritability component (predisposed), which needs to be environmentally shaped (via stress/ traumatic experiences) to develop it

58
Q

Nurture & PD> DSM assumption>

A

PD can develop in childhood in abusive parental circumstances

59
Q

Nurture & Antisocial personality disorder (APD)

A

> low-levels of parental affection= increased risk of APD (johnson et al, 2006)
61% of adult participants with APD reported emotional abuse in childhood (Rettew et al, 2003)

60
Q

Nurture & BPD> study: (Helgeland & Torgensen, 2004)

A
  • 28 year longitudinal study for BPD vs control group
  • BPD group= higher incidents of abuse & parental psychopathy
61
Q

Nurture & Schizotypal (SPD)- findings from literature review (Dong-2021) of 1994-2018>

A

parent related negative incidents (e.g. disrupted or severely inconsistent parenting) were higher in SPD sufferers

62
Q

Big 5 & personality disorders> Saulsman & Page (2004) Meta-analysis- Big 5 & 10 personality disorders> findings»

A

All PD’s (except dependent) best understood via (1) neuroticism & (2) LOW-scoring agreeableness

63
Q

Can PDs be treated?>

A
  • very hard to treat
  • over 1/3 drop out of treatment
  • psychotherapy works for some (borderline) but not others (anti-social) [cristea, 2017; gibbon, 2020]
  • major qn of how to access “improvement”> informant report? self report?
64
Q

Implications of diagnosing PD>

A
  • Are we just pathologising human responses to traumatic situations?
  • where is line between normal/abnormal
  • what counts as “disordered”?
  • socially undesirable?= context dependent (dark triad: SU now but has pros etc)