Personality Disorders Flashcards

Flashcards for Personality Disorders Course Review

Personality Disorder (PD)

A rigid, enduring pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that causes significant dysfunction across multiple areas of life.

Symptomatic vs. Characteristic Condition

Symptoms are acquired and episodic; characteristics are developed, pervasive, and internal.

Four Core Domains Affected by PDs

Thinking, Feeling, Interpersonal Functioning, Impulse Control.

Purpose of Drama in PDs

To protect the dominant personality trait and avoid the emptiness underneath.

PD vs. Axis I Disorders

PDs are internal, long-standing traits; Axis I disorders are external, symptomatic, and often responsive to medication.

Four Core Treatment Targets in PD

Trait, Observing Ego, Problem-Solving, Drama.

Drama Triangle

A cycle of Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor roles used to validate distorted identity and avoid resolution.

Identifying a Potential PD

By emotional reaction (irritation, confusion), repetitive drama, and consistent interpersonal conflict.

Medication for PDs (Manual)

Medications treat symptoms but do not address the core character traits of PD.

Role of Observing Ego

It allows self-correction and adaptive behavioral change; PDs often lack this function.

Therapeutic Stance for PDs

Maintain simplicity, structure, and emotional neutrality; avoid being pulled into drama.

Borderline PD Presentation

Emotional instability, unstable relationships, splitting (idealization/devaluation), and chronic feelings of emptiness.

Antisocial PD Presentation

Exploitative, deceitful, and remorseless; often lacks planning and lives in the present.

Schizoid vs. Avoidant PD

Schizoids are indifferent to relationships; Avoidants desire connection but fear rejection.

Clinical Warning: Narcissistic PD

Do not confront or “poke through” the self-image without a treatment frame; it’s dangerous.

Drama as a Coping Mechanism

Drama is used in place of effective problem-solving and masks the PD’s internal deficit.

CBT Ineffectiveness for PDs

Clients may understand the concepts but lack the capacity to apply them behaviorally.

Diagnosis with PD Clients (Manual)

Diagnosis is for clinician use to structure treatment—not necessarily for client insight.

Cluster A Disorders

Paranoid (suspicious), Schizoid (detached), Schizotypal (eccentric).

Cluster B Disorders

Antisocial (exploitative), Borderline (emotionally unstable), Histrionic (dramatic), Narcissistic (grandiose).

Cluster C Disorders

Avoidant (inhibited), Dependent (submissive), Obsessive-Compulsive (perfectionistic).

Insight vs. Motivation in PD Treatment

Motivation predicts treatment success more than insight.

Sobriety Before PD Diagnosis

To rule out behaviors caused by substance use and ensure patterns are personality-based.

Role of Repetition in PD Intervention

Repetition is essential for learning—focal (6 months), stylistic (6–12 months), and profound (12+ months) changes require it.

Prognosis: PTSD vs. PD

PTSD has better recovery outcomes due to greater adaptability and flexibility compared to PD.

Treatment Planning for PD (Manual)

Protocol-driven treatment is less effective; real-world therapy requires flexible, adaptive strategies and long-term commitment.