Personality disorders Flashcards
(30 cards)
Cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder
Pervasive and unjustified mistrust and suspicion
- Biological and psychological causes are unknown
- Early learning that people and the world are dangerous
Treatment for cluster A: Paranoid personality disorder
few seek professional help on their own
Treatment focuses on development of trust
Cognitive therapy to counter negativistic thinking
lack of good outcome studies
Cluster A personality disorders
Paranoid, Schizoid, schizotypal
Cluster B Personality disorders
Antisocial, Borderline, histrionic, narcissistic
Cluster C Personality disorders
Avoidant, dependent, obsessive compulsive
Schizoid personality disorder
Pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships
Very limited range of emotions in interpersonal situations
Causes of schizoid personality disorder
Etiology is unclear
Childhood shyness
Preference for social isolation: resembles autism
Treatment for schizoid
Few seek professional help on their own
Focus on the value of interpersonal relationships
Building empathy and social skills
Lack of good outcome studies
Schizotypal personality disorder
Behavior and dress is odd and unusual
Socially isolated and highly suspicious
Magical thinking ideas of reference and illusions
Many meet criteria for major depression
Some conceptualize this as resembling a milder form of schizophrenia
Treatment of Schizotypal
- 30-50% meet criteria for major depressive disorder
- Main focus is on developing social skills
- Address comorbid depression
- Medical treatment similar to treatment for schizophrenia
- Treatment prognosis is generally poor
Cluster B: Antisocial personality disorder
*Failure to comply with social norms
*Violation of the rights of others
*Irresponsible, impulsive, and deceitful
*Lack of conscience, empathy, and remorse
*“Sociopathy” “Psychopathy” Typically refer to this disorder or very similar traits
May be very charming, interpersonally manipulative
Treatment for antisocial personality disorder
–Few seek treatment on their own
–Antisocial behavior is predictive of poor prognosis
–Emphasis is placed on prevention and
rehabilitation
–Often incarceration is the only viable alternative
–May need to focus on practical (or selfish)
consequences (e.g., if you rob someone, you’ll have to serve time)
Development of antisocial personality disorder
•Genetic influences
–More likely to develop antisocial behavior if parents have a history of antisocial behavior or criminality
•Developmental influences
–High-conflict childhood increases likelihood of APD in at-risk children
•Neurobiological influences
–Antisocial traits are not well explained by neuropsychological research
Cluster B: borderline personality disorder
–Unstable moods and relationships
–Impulsivity, fear of abandonment, very poor self-image
–Self-mutilation and suicidal gestures
–Comorbidity rates are high with other mental disorders, particularly mood disorders
Causes of borderline
–High emotional reactivity
–Runs in families
Treatment for borderline
•Treatment options
– few good outcome studies
–Antidepressant medications provide some short-term relief
–Dialectical behavior therapy is most promising treatment
•Focus on dual reality of acceptance of difficulties and
need for change •Focus on interpersonal effectiveness •Focus on distress tolerance to decrease reckless/self-
harming behavior
Cluster B: Histrionic Personality Disorder
–Overly dramatic, sensational, and sexually provocative
–Often impulsive and need to be the center of attention
–Thinking and emotions are perceived as shallow
–More commonly diagnosed in females
Cluster B: Histrionic Personality Disorder Causes
Etiology is largely unknown; Variant of antisocial personality expressed in more feminine way?
Cluster B: Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment
–Focus on attention seeking and long-term negative consequences
–Targets may also include problematic interpersonal behaviors
–Little evidence that treatment is effective]
Cluster B: Narcissistic Personality Disorder
–Exaggerated and unreasonable sense of self-importance
–Preoccupation with receiving attention
–Lack sensitivity and compassion for other people
–Highly sensitive to criticism; envious, and arrogant
Cluster B: Narcissistic Personality Disorder Causes
–Failure to learn empathy as a child
–Sociological view – product of the “me” generation
Cluster C: Avoidant Personality Disorder
–Extreme sensitivity to the opinions of others
–Highly avoidant of most interpersonal relationships
–Are interpersonally anxious and fearful of rejection
–Low self esteem
Cluster C: Avoidant Personality Disorder Causes
–Numerous factors have been proposed
–Difficult temperament and early rejection
Cluster C: Avoidant Personality Disorder Treatment
–Several well-controlled treatment outcome studies exist
–Treatment is similar to that used for social phobia
–Treatment targets include social skills and anxiety
