Personality Disorders Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering the diagnostic definitions, traits, clusters (A, B, C), and treatment modalities for personality disorders.

Personality Disorders

Impairments of personality functioning where a client demonstrates pathological personality characteristics, including impairments in self-identity, self-direction, and interpersonal functioning.

Maladaptive Behaviors

Behaviors that are unhealthy or cause problems, typically manifesting as identity problems and dysfunctional relationships characterized by an inability to get along with others.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

A cluster of personality disorders characterized by odd or eccentric behaviors.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

A Cluster A disorder characterized by pervasive distrust and suspiciousness toward others based on unfounded beliefs that others want to harm the individual.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A Cluster A disorder characterized by emotional detachment, disinterest in close relationships, indifference to praise or criticism, and often being uncooperative.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A Cluster A disorder characterized by odd beliefs that lead to interpersonal difficulties, an eccentric appearance, and magical thinking that falls short of clear delusions or hallucinations.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

A cluster of personality disorders marked by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors, manipulative tendencies, and a failure to consider ethics.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A Cluster B disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, impulsivity, and charming or verbally engaging interactions, requiring staff to remain firm.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A Cluster B disorder characterized by frequent changes of affect, unstable identity and relationships, splitting, impulsivity, suicidal tendencies, and self-injurious behavior.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

A Cluster B disorder characterized by emotional, attention-seeking behavior and an intense need to always be the center of attention.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A Cluster B disorder characterized by a need for consistent admiration, lack of empathy for others, arrogance, and high sensitivity to criticism.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

A cluster of personality disorders characterized by anxious or fearful behaviors.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A Cluster C disorder characterized by avoidance of all situations that require interpersonal contact due to low self-esteem and an extreme fear of rejection.

Dependent Personality Disorder

A Cluster C disorder characterized by extreme dependency within a close relationship and an urgent search to find a replacement whenever a relationship ends.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A Cluster C disorder characterized by indecisiveness, perfectionism, and a rigid focus.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy used for clients who exhibit self-injurious behavior, notably in borderline personality disorder.

Symptom-Targeted Pharmacotherapy

The use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers to manage specific symptoms rather than treating the underlying personality disorder diagnosis itself.