Personality disorders

Question 1

How are personality disorders diagnosed?

Answer 1

Problematic: causes distress or difficulties for the person or others

Persistent: way of thinking, feeling and behaving that is long standing. Difficulties tend to appear in late childhood/teenage years and continue to adult life

Pervasive: way of thinking, feeling and behaving that occurs in many situations e.g. work, relationships, social life

Question 2

Types of personality disorders

Answer 2

Odd/eccentric: paranoid, schitzotypal, schizoid

Dramatic/erratic: borderline, antisocial, histrionic, narcissistic

anxious/fearful: dependent, avoidant, obsessive

Question 3

Treatments for personality disorders

Answer 3

Drug treatment
Psychoanalytic therapy
Cognitive analytic therapy
Theraputic community
Group therapy: storytelling, bereavement, psychodrama

Question 4

Ways personality disorders affect people

Answer 4

Cognitive: attitudes, beliefs, self image

Behaviour and emotions
Interpersonal skills: relationships, communication of needs/feelings, handling conflict

Impulse control: impulsive and reckless gratification of needs

Question 5

Typical presentations of patients with personality disorder

Answer 5

Revolving door patients (regular A&E and GP presentation)
Alcohol/drug abuse
Previous multiple diagnosis
Self-defeating behaviour