Personality disorders

Question 1

Name four requirements for personality disorder diagnosis.

Answer 1

1. Long lasting pattern of behaviour.
2. Emotional distress.
3. Impairment in functioning.
4. Manifest in early adulthood.

Question 2

Name the three clusters of personality disorders.

Answer 2

1. Cluster A: odd/eccentric.
2. Cluster B: dramatic/erratic.
3. Cluster C: anxious/fearful.

Question 3

Name three personality disorders that fall under cluster A.

Answer 3

1. Paranoid personality disorder.
2. Schizoid personality disorder.
3. Schizotypal personality disorder.

Question 4

Name four personality disorders that fall under cluster B.

Answer 4

1. Anti-social personality disorder.
2. Borderline personality disorder.
3. Histrionic personality disorder.
4. Narcissistic personality disorder.

Question 5

Name three personality disorders that fall under cluster C.

Answer 5

1. Avoidant personality disorder.
2. Dependent personality disorder.
3. Obsessive compulsive personality disorder.

Question 6

What is the prevalence rate for most personality disorders?

Answer 6

10-14%

Question 7

Name three environmental explanations for personality disorders.

Answer 7

1. Poverty and deprivation.
2. Childhood abuse.
3. Family disfunction.

Question 8

How does childhood maltreatment affect personality disorders? (psychodynamic explanation)

Answer 8

Childhood maltreatment results in distortions of mental representations of relationships and self, making it more likely to have a personality disorder.

Question 9

How do cognitive explanations describe the development of personality disorders?

Answer 9

Negative early experiences result in dysfunctional beliefs and cognitive distortions.

Question 10

Name three behvioural explanations for personality disorders.

Answer 10

1. Modelling e.g. maladaptive behaviours learnt by caregivers.
2. Reinforcement e.g. maladaptive behaviours are rewarded.
3. Excess rewards.

Question 11

Why are personality disorders difficult to treat? (3)

Answer 11

• Denial of psychopathology.
• Interpersonal difficulties.
• Ingrained patterns of behaviour.

Question 12

What treatment can you not use for personality disorders?

Answer 12

Medication.

Question 13

Name two treatments for personality disorders.

Answer 13

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy.
2. Dialectical behaviour therapy.