Psychopathology CH 15

Personality (definition, description)

a set of uniquely expressed characteristics that influence our behaviors, emotions, thoughts, and interactions

Personality disorders (description, characteristics, distinction from normal personality)

An enduring, rigid pattern of inner experience and outward behavior that repeatedly impairs a person's sense of self, emotional experiences, goals, capacity for empathy, and/or capacity for intimacy.

Personality disorders in DSM-5 classification system (formerly Axis II in DSM-IV)

categorical

Comorbidity

it is common for a person with a personality disorder to also experience another disorder (such as social anxiety disorder)

Three categories/clusters of personality disorders

odd, dramatic, anxious

"Odd" personality disorders (suspiciousness, withdrawal, peculiar thinking/perception)

paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal

Paranoid personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

A personality disorder marked by a pattern of distrust and suspiciousness of others.

Schizoid personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

A personality disorder featuring persistent avoidance of social relationships and little expression of emotion

Schizotypal personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

A personality disorder characterized by extreme discomfort in close relationships, very odd patterns of thinking and perceiving, and behavioral eccentricities.

schizotypal Relationship to schizophrenia

similar behaviors, such as extreme suspiciousness, social withdrawal, and peculiar ways of thinking and perceiving things

"Dramatic" personality disorders (dramatic, emotional, erratic)

antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic

Antisocial personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

A personality disorder marked by a general pattern of disregard for and violation of other people's rights.

antisocial Association with criminal behavior

this is the disorder most linked to criminal behavior

antisocial Relationship to conduct disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

it appears that children with conduct disorder and ADHD have a higher risk of developing antisocial disorder

antisocial Limited treatment effectiveness

they are usually ineffective, with obstacles including the individual's lack of conscience, desire to change, or respect for therapy

Borderline personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

-A personality disorder characterized by repeated instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and mood and by impulsive behavior.

-Emotional instability, impulsivity, recklessness

mentalizatin

The capacity to understand one's own mental states and those of other people.

borderline Relationship with suicidality and self-mutilation

high risk for suicide and self-mutilation

borderline Dialectical behavior therapy as evidence-based treatment

A comprehensive treatment approach, applied in cases of borderline personality disorder, suicidal intent, and/or other psychological problems; includes both individual sessions and group sessions.

Histrionic personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

-A personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking. Once called hysterical personality disorder.

-Attention-seeking behaviors

Narcissistic personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

-A personality disorder marked by a broad pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

-Vanity, grandiosity, arrogance

"Anxious" personality disorders (anxiety, fearfulness; responsiveness to psychotherapy)

avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Avoidant personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

-A personality disorder characterized by consistent discomfort and restraint in social situations, overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, and extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation.

-Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, sensitivity to criticism

Relationship to social phobia (avoidant)

they are very uncomfortable and inhibited in social situations

Benefits of group therapy (avoidant)

added advantage of providing them practice in social interactions

Dependent personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, treatments)

-A personality disorder characterized by a pattern of clinging and obedience, fear of separation, and an ongoing need to be taken care of.

-Clinginess, excessive need to be taken care of, difficulty with separation

Benefits of assertiveness training (dependent)

to help them better express their own wishes in relationships

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (characteristic symptoms/features, example, etiology, txs)

-A personality disorder marked by such an intense focus on orderliness, perfectionism, and control that the person loses flexibility, openness, and efficiency.

Click to flip

-Preoccupied with order, perfection, and control; rules and details

Impulse control disorders (characteristic symptoms/features, examples)

Intermittent explosive disorder, pyromania, kleptomania

Intermittent explosive disorder

episodes during which a person acts on aggressive impulses that result in serious assaults or destruction of property

Pyromania

a compulsion to set things on fire

Kleptomania

a continual urge to steal regardless of economic motive

Personality disorder classification (categorical vs. dimensional approach

-personality disorder — trait specified (PDTS): A personality disorder undergoing study for possible inclusion in the DSM. People would receive this diagnosis if they had significant impairment in functioning as a result of one or more very problematic traits.