Cluster C

What is cluster c?

Anxious-fearful - extreme concern of criticism and abandonment that leads to impaired relationships. It includes avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

What is an avoidant personality disorder?

Feelings of extreme social inhibition, inadequacy, and sensitivity to negative criticism and rejection. Avoidance of activities of daily living (work, ordering pizza) involving people for fear of criticism or rejection. Low self-esteem and social isolation. It is like an extreme form of social anxiety that is pervasive

What is a dependent personality disorder?

Feelings of helplessness, submissiveness, dependence, and reassurance seeking. Difficulty making independent decisions. Avoidance of adult activities and tolerance of abuse and maltreatment. They cannot live without another person and feel they won’t make it on their own, so they may have low self-esteem, assume the submissive role, and are more accepting of abuse.

What is obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Also known as anal retentive. It is a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. It is indicated by 4 or more of the characteristics. It is a disorder about fear of losing control.

What are the characteristics of OCPD?

Preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost. Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met). Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity). Is over-conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification). Is unable to discard worn-out clothes or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value (This is because they think it is wasteful to get rid of things they can try to use again). Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things. Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes (they recognize that there are some uncontrollable things, but try to control for it anyways). Shows rigidity and stubbornness (inflexibility and deviations cause anxiety).