Neurocognitive and Personality Disorder

Cluster A

What are the four defining features of personality disorders?

Distorted thinking patterns, problematic emotional responses, problems with impulse control (over- or under-regulated), and interpersonal problems.

How are personality disorders categorized?

They are arranged in three clusters: A, B, and C.

What characterizes Cluster A personality disorders?

They involve odd or eccentric behavior.

What characterizes Cluster B personality disorders?

They include dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors.

What characterizes Cluster C personality disorders?

They include anxious and fearful features.

What is a common aspect of personality disorders within the same cluster?

They are often comorbid with one another.

What type of information will be provided in the overview of each personality disorder?

Only example symptoms will be given rather than an exhaustive list of diagnostic criteria.

What characterizes Cluster A personality disorders?

Social awkwardness, social withdrawal, and disordered thinking.

What is the hallmark feature of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others.

What behaviors might indicate someone has Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Preoccupation with doubts about friends' loyalty, reading hidden meanings into remarks, and persistent grudges.

How do individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder typically respond when they feel threatened?

They may plan pre-emptive attacks or protect themselves from perceived threats.

What are the hallmark features of Schizoid Personality Disorder?

Social detachment and a restricted range of emotional expression.

What might an individual with Schizoid Personality Disorder prefer?

They may prefer to be alone and avoid close relationships, including family.

How does emotional expression manifest in someone with Schizoid Personality Disorder?

They may show consistent emotional coldness or detachment and have difficulty expressing emotions.

What is the hallmark feature of Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

Social and interpersonal deficits, along with cognitive or perceptual distortions.

What are some examples of behaviors associated with Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

Magical thinking, suspiciousness, odd speech, and unusual perceptual experiences.

How might someone with Schizotypal Personality Disorder feel in social situations?

They may experience great discomfort and anxiety when interacting with others.

What distinguishes Schizoid Personality Disorder from mild autism spectrum disorder?

Schizoid traits must be inflexible, maladaptive, and cause significant impairment or distress.

What is a common misconception about individuals with Schizoid Personality Disorder?

That they are simply loners; they should only be diagnosed if their traits are inflexible and cause problems.

What emotional characteristics are common in individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Distrust and hostility.

What might individuals with Schizotypal Personality Disorder report experiencing?

Unusual perceptual experiences, such as seeing flashes of light that others cannot see.

What is a key difference between the traits of Cluster A personality disorders and typical behaviors in the general population?

Cluster A traits are inflexible, persistent, and cause functional impairment or distress.

What characterizes Cluster B personality disorders?

Problems with impulse control and emotional regulation.

What is the key feature of Antisocial Personality Disorder?

A pervasive pattern of disregard for others and violation of their rights.

What terms are used to describe individuals with antisocial tendencies?

Psychopaths or sociopaths.

What are some symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Failure to comply with laws, deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggressiveness, disregard for safety, and lack of remorse.

What disorder may precede Antisocial Personality Disorder if behaviors occur in childhood?

Conduct Disorder.

What are the key features of Borderline Personality Disorder?

Unstable and intense emotions, impulsivity, and instability in relationships and self-image.

How do individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder often view relationships?

In black-and-white terms, alternating between idealization and harsh judgment.

What is a common symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder related to self-harm?

Suicidal behavior and self-mutilating actions.

What are common comorbidities associated with Borderline Personality Disorder?

Eating disorders, depressive disorders, and bipolar disorders.

What characterizes Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

What are some symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Discomfort unless the center of attention, sexually provocative behavior, rapidly shifting emotions, and dramatic emotional expression.

What are the hallmark features of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

What are some symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Grandiose sense of importance, preoccupation with success fantasies, entitlement, and lack of empathy.

How do individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder typically respond to criticism?

They respond very poorly.

What behavior might individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder exhibit towards others?

They may exploit others to get what they want.

What emotional traits are common in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder?

Difficulty controlling anger and intense fears of abandonment.

What impulsive behaviors might individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder engage in?

Binge eating or reckless driving.

What is a common behavior pattern seen in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder before achieving goals?

Sabotaging their own success.

What is a common trait of individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder regarding their interests?

They may grow bored with routine and constantly seek new experiences.

What emotional response is often exhibited by individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Rapidly shifting emotions.

What do all Cluster C disorders share?

A high degree of anxiety.

What characterizes Avoidant Personality Disorder?

A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

What are common symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Avoiding interpersonal contact due to fear of criticism, restraint in intimate relationships, preoccupation with rejection, and viewing oneself as socially inept.

What is a hallmark feature of Dependent Personality Disorder?

A strong need to be taken care of by others and clinging behaviors.

What symptoms are associated with Dependent Personality Disorder?

Difficulty making decisions without excessive advice, feeling helpless when alone, and preoccupation with fears of being left alone.

How do individuals with Dependent Personality Disorder typically express disagreement?

They may have great trouble expressing disagreement, especially with those they are dependent on.

What are the hallmark features of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.

What symptoms indicate Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Preoccupation with rules to the point of losing task purpose, perfectionism that interferes with task completion, and moral rigidity.

How does time management typically manifest in individuals with OCPD?

Time management is often very poor, and procrastination may occur.

How does OCPD differ from OCD?

OCPD is a personality disorder characterized by consistent perfectionism and orderliness, while OCD is an anxiety disorder with fluctuating symptoms.

What might individuals with OCPD prioritize over relationships?

Productivity.

What is a common trait of individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder regarding their social circle?

They may have a very limited social circle due to their fears.

What emotional response do individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder often have to criticism?

They perceive even slight comments as very disapproving.

What behavior might individuals with Dependent Personality Disorder tolerate?

They may excessively submit to others' demands, potentially tolerating physical abuse.

What is a common issue with task completion for individuals with OCPD?

They often get lost in details and may never finish projects.

What is the significance of age and cultural factors in diagnosing Dependent Personality Disorder?

It is important to consider these factors when making a diagnosis.

What is a common characteristic of individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder in social situations?

They often preoccupy themselves with fears of being rejected.

What might individuals with OCPD feel about wasting time?

They are uncomfortable with wasting time.

What is a common self-perception among individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder?

They may view themselves as socially inept or inferior.

What emotional state do individuals with Dependent Personality Disorder often feel when alone?

They feel helpless.

What are Neurodevelopmental Disorders?

Disorders that appear in childhood and involve problems with neural development.

What distinguishes Neurocognitive Disorders from Neurodevelopmental Disorders?

Neurocognitive Disorders involve acquired cognitive decline rather than developmental issues.

What is a key characteristic of individuals with Neurocognitive Disorders?

They once had normal neural functioning but now experience a decline in cognitive abilities.

Are Neurocognitive Disorders considered a normal part of aging?

No, they are mental disorders and not normal age-related declines.

What was the term used prior to DSM-5 for Neurocognitive Disorders?

Dementia.

Why is the term 'neurocognitive disorder' preferred over 'dementia'?

'Neurocognitive disorder' has a broader application and is used particularly for younger individuals.

What are the two classifications of Neurocognitive Disorders based on severity?

Major and mild.

What factors are considered in diagnosing Neurocognitive Disorders?

Severity of cognitive decline and probable cause of the disorder.

What does the DSM provide regarding Neurocognitive Disorders?

A table listing various cognitive domains arranged by severity.

What are cognitive domains in the context of Neurocognitive Disorders?

Specific areas of cognitive function that may be affected by the disorders.

Can the terms 'neurocognitive disorder' and 'dementia' be used interchangeably?

Yes, they can be used interchangeably, especially for ease of understanding.

What is the main focus of Module 7 in relation to Neurocognitive Disorders?

To explore the various causes and characteristics of these disorders.

What is the significance of understanding the differences between normal aging and Neurocognitive Disorders?

It helps in identifying mental disorders that require intervention rather than attributing them to aging.

Complex Attention

Major: Difficulty remembering newly learned information; can't perform mental calculations; easily distracted. Mild: Tasks take longer than they used to; thinking is easier when there aren't competing distractions.

Executive Function

Major: Gives up on complex projects; needs help from others for instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. maintaining finances, shopping). Mild: Increased difficulty resuming an interrupted task; increased fatigue from efforts to organize and plan.

Learning & Memory

Major: Repeats oneself in conversation; can't keep track of a short list of items. Mild: Difficulty recalling recent events; may occasionally repeat oneself over a few weeks to the same person.

Language

Major: Difficulty with spoken language as well as receptive language (understanding others). Mild: Has noticeable word-finding difficulty; grammatical errors.

Perceptual-Motor

Major: Significant difficulties with things they used to be able to do; difficulty with navigating in familiar environments. Mild: Some difficulty with navigation; needs greater effort on spatial tasks.

Social Cognition

Major: Unacceptable social behavior, insensitivity to social standards; makes decisions without regard to safety. Mild: Subtle changes in behavior or attitude, such as increased difficulty attending to social cues.

What is a key criterion for diagnosing Major Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD)?

Significant cognitive decline in one or more cognitive domains, leading to substantial impairment in everyday activities.

How does delirium differ from Major Neurocognitive Disorder?

Delirium develops over a short period and symptoms tend to fluctuate, while NCD involves significant and persistent cognitive decline.

What are the primary features of Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer's Disease?

Gradual impairment in memory and learning, with common issues in understanding and processing visuospatial information.

What distinguishes 'Probable Alzheimer's Disease' from 'Possible Alzheimer's Disease'?

Probable Alzheimer's requires evidence of a genetic cause or autopsy confirmation, while Possible Alzheimer's is for mild forms without such evidence.

What are hallmark signs of Alzheimer's Disease observed in postmortem examinations?

Cortical atrophy and deposits of amyloid plaques in the brain.

What characterizes Major Frontotemporal Neurocognitive Disorder?

Gradual decline in social cognition or executive functioning, with behavioral or language variants.

What is a behavioral variant of Major Frontotemporal Neurocognitive Disorder?

Apathy or uninhibited behavior, leading to loss of interest in socialization and self-care.

What are the core diagnostic features of Major Neurocognitive Disorder With Lewy Bodies?

Recurrent visual hallucinations, spontaneous parkinsonism, and fluctuating cognition.

What is the onset pattern for Major Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder?

Symptoms are related to cerebrovascular events, with evidence of cerebrovascular disease present.

What common cognitive symptoms are associated with Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Traumatic Brain Injury?

Problems with complex attention, executive function, memory and learning, and social cognition.

What is required for diagnosing Substance/Medication-Induced Major Neurocognitive Disorder?

Symptoms must occur after intoxication and withdrawal, with evidence that the substance or medication used can cause impairment.

What are common cognitive symptoms in Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to HIV Infection?

Impaired executive function, attention problems, slowed processing speed, and difficulty learning new information.

What is the progression pattern of Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Prion Disease?

Insidious but rapid progression, primarily featuring motor symptoms due to spongiform encephalopathies.

What are the common symptoms of Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Parkinson's Disease?

Apathy, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, personality changes, and sleep disorders.

What cognitive focus is typical in Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Huntington's Disease?

Progressive cognitive impairment primarily affecting executive functioning.

What types of medical conditions can lead to Major Neurocognitive Disorder?

Conditions such as brain tumors, hypothyroidism, thiamine deficiencies, and multiple sclerosis.

How can treatment of underlying medical conditions affect cognitive symptoms in NCD?

Treatment may improve cognitive symptoms, as seen in cases of hypothyroidism.

What is the prevalence of NCD due to Alzheimer's disease?

It is estimated that 60-90% of NCDs are due to Alzheimer's disease.