Personality disorders

Question 1

What is the definition of personality?

Answer 1

An enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about oneself, others, and the environment.

Question 2

What are personality traits?

Answer 2

Tendencies to feel, perceive, behave, and think in consistent ways across time and situations.

Question 3

How are personality disorders (PDs) defined?

Answer 3

Maladaptive extremes of normal personality traits, leading to distress and dysfunction.

Question 4

What are the DSM-5 criteria for personality disorders?

Answer 4

1. Enduring pattern deviating from cultural expectations in at least two areas: cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning, impulse control.
2. Inflexible and pervasive across situations.
3. Causes significant distress or impairment.
4. Stable and long duration, traceable back to adolescence/early adulthood.
5. Not explained by another mental disorder or substance/medical condition.

Question 5

What are the three clusters of personality disorders in DSM-5?

Answer 5

1. Cluster A (Odd, Eccentric)
2. Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, Erratic)
3. Cluster C (Anxious, Fearful)

Question 6

What characterizes Cluster A personality disorders?

Answer 6

Odd, eccentric behaviors.

Question 7

What is the core feature of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Answer 7

Pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

Question 8

List three symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder.

Answer 8

• Believes others are deceiving/harming them.
• Holds grudges, easily offended.
• Litigious, hostile.

Question 9

What is the core feature of Schizoid Personality Disorder?

Answer 9

Detachment from social relationships and restricted emotional expression.

Question 10

What are two symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder?

Answer 10

• Prefers solitary activities.
• Lacks desire for close relationships.

Question 11

What characterizes Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

Answer 11

Social discomfort, odd beliefs, and eccentric behavior.

Question 12

What is a symptom of Schizotypal Personality Disorder related to cognition?

Answer 12

Magical thinking.

Question 13

What is the core feature of Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Answer 13

Disregard for the rights of others.

Question 14

List three symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Answer 14

• Deceitful, manipulative, hostile.
• No remorse for wrongdoing.
• Impulsive, irresponsible, risk-taking.

Question 15

What characterizes Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

Answer 15

Instability in relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulsivity.

Question 16

What is a common symptom of BPD related to relationships?

Answer 16

Fear of abandonment.

Question 17

What is the core feature of Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Answer 17

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.

Question 18

List two symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder.

Answer 18

• Seductive, seeks constant approval.
• Easily influenced, exaggerated emotions.

Question 19

What is the core feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Answer 19

Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy.

Question 20

What is a symptom of Narcissistic Personality Disorder related to self-esteem?

Answer 20

Fragile self-esteem.

Question 21

What characterizes Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Answer 21

Social inhibition and fear of rejection.

Question 22

What are two symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Answer 22

• Avoids social interactions due to fear of criticism.
• Low self-esteem, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Question 23

What is the core feature of Dependent Personality Disorder?

Answer 23

Excessive reliance on others for decision-making.

Question 24

What are two symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder?

Answer 24

• Submissive, clingy.
• Avoids conflict, fears abandonment.

Question 25

What is the core feature of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Answer 25

Preoccupation with order, control, and perfectionism.

Question 26

List two symptoms of OCPD.

Answer 26

* Rigid, stubborn, excessively devoted to work. * Inflexible about morality and ethics.

Question 27

What is the general approach to managing personality disorders?

Answer 27

Build rapport and set clear boundaries, validate emotions but avoid reinforcing maladaptive behaviors, long-term psychotherapy, adjunctive medication.

Question 28

What does Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for BPD teach?

Answer 28

* Emotional regulation * Distress tolerance * Interpersonal effectiveness * Mindfulness techniques

Question 29

What is a key difference between personality disorders and mental illness?

Answer 29

Personality disorder is a lifelong pattern of maladaptive traits; mental illness is episodic dysfunction that deviates from usual self.

Question 30

What is the prevalence of personality disorders in the general population?

Answer 30

2-22% (median 12.5%).

Question 31

What percentage of psychiatric inpatients have a personality disorder?

Answer 31

40-50%.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: The core feature of Avoidant Personality Disorder is _______.

Answer 32

Social inhibition.