Lecture 1-3

Question 1

What is abnormal behaviour?

Answer 1

The field devoted to the scientific study to describe, predict, explain and change abnormal patterns of functioning

Question 2

What characteristics are looked for in abnormal behaviour?

Answer 2

Statistical infrequency
Violation of norms - based on current norms
Personal distress
Disability or dysfunction - relationships, work, school, etc.
Unexpectedness - reaction that doesn’t fit the problem

Question 3

What is the DSM-5

Answer 3

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders

Question 4

When does a personality disorder become prevalent?

Answer 4

In adolescence or early adulthood

Question 5

What are the ABC’s of personality disorders?

Answer 5

Affect - range, intensity of emotions
Behaviour - controlling impulses
Cognition - perceptions and interpretations of events

Question 6

What is comorbidity?

Answer 6

Many personality disorders cause a predisposition to Axis I disorders (Depression or anxiety)

Question 7

How does comorbidity make diagnosing difficult?

Answer 7

Personality disorders overlap and can make it difficult to diagnose one from the other

Question 8

What are cluster A personality disorders?

Answer 8

Similar to schizophrenia, including extreme suspiciousness and social withdrawal

Question 9

Because they are related, what do clinicians call cluster A disorders?

Answer 9

Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

Question 10

What is the common name for the Cluster B disorders, and why?

Answer 10

The dramatic disorders

People are dramatic, emotional or erratic to the point it is impossible to have relationships that are satisfying

Question 11

What is the link between personality and conduct disorders?

Answer 11

The more symptoms of conduct disorder a boy has as a youth, the more likely they are to develop an antisocial personality disorder

Question 12

What is the common name for Cluster C disorders?

Answer 12

Anxious personality disorders

Question 13

What are common behaviours of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Answer 13

They are preoccupied with order, perfection and control.

They are usually rigid and stubborn

Question 14

What are the four basic dimensions across personality disorders?

Answer 14

Emotional dysregulation - rapidly changing moods

Dissocial behaviour - lack of morals, ability to manipulate

Inhibitedness or social withdrawal

Compulsivity

Question 15

What is attachment? What are the two styles?

Answer 15

Attachment is a child’s emotional bond and style of interaction with a parent or caregiver

The two styles are secure, or insecure

Question 16

What are the differences between secure and insecure attachment?

Answer 16

Secure is marked by positive views of one’s worth, while insecure is negative and usually stems from abuse or neglect

Question 17

How do theorists believe antisocial personality disorders are formed?

Answer 17

Through modelling or unintentional reinforcement from parents, leading to lack of trust

Question 18

What is SCR? How does it link to antisocial personality disorder?

Answer 18

Skin conductance reactivity

Low levels of SCR can predict future APD

Question 19

Explain the Diathesis-Stress Theory for BPD

Answer 19

People with BPD have trouble controlling emotions

Interaction between extreme emotional reactivity and invalidating family leads to BPD

Question 20

How do theorists explain histrionic personality disorder?

Answer 20

There is extreme suggestibility in people with the disorder

Another cause could be the pressure of societies norms and expectations

Question 21

How do theorists explain narcissistic personality disorder?

Answer 21

Believed that people are treated too positively in their early life

Question 22

How do you treat paranoid personality disorders as a whole?

Answer 22

Most people do not seek help, so treatment is limited and moves slowly

Question 23

How do you treat schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 23

Extreme social withdrawal prevents most people from entering therapy, and if they do they are usually still distant

Question 24

How do you treat schizotypal personality disorder?

Answer 24

Need to help patients reconnect and recognize limits of their thoughts

Antipsychotic drugs appear to be helpful

Question 25

What is the therapy for psychopathy?

Answer 25

It is nearly impossible to treat, except with large doses of anti-anxiety medication

Question 26

How do you treat borderline personality disorder?

Answer 26

Emphasis on validating patient experience

A zen approach - see and accept realities of life

Question 27

What is the biggest limit to BPD research?

Answer 27

The lack of multicultural research is a concern. Gender and other cultural differences are important in development and diagnosis of the disorder

Question 28

What are problems with the DSM categories?

Answer 28

Some diagnostic criteria cannot be observed directly - cannot tell when personality style crosses the line into disorder

Question 29

What is considered the better way to classify personality disorders?

Answer 29

Using alternative dimensional approaches instead of the “big five”