Chapter 10: Personality Disorders

personality

the set of unique traits and behaviors that characterize the individual

five-factor model of personality

five basic personality trait dimensions that characterize normal personality—neuroticism (emotional instability), extraversion/introversion, openness to experience (unconventionality), agreeableness/antagonism, and conscientiousness

personality disorder

clinically significant chronic interpersonal difficulties, problems with one’s identity or sense of self, and an inability to function adequately in society

paranoid personality disorder (Cluster A)

suspicious and distrustful of others; reading hidden meanings into ordinary remarks; seeing themselves as blameless and blaming others for their own mistakes and failures, even ascribing evil motives to others; numerous interpersonal difficulties

schizoid personality disorder (Cluster A)

difficulties forming social relations with a lack of interest in doing so; unable to express their feelings; seen by others as cold and distant; lack social skills; have loner or introversion tendencies; tend not to take pleasure in many activities including sexual, and rarely marry; show a generally apathetic mood

schizotyypal personality disorder(Cluster A)

excessively introverted; pervasive social and interpersonal deficits; cognitive and perceptual distortions; oddities and eccentricities in communication and behavior; highly personalized and superstitious thinking; transient psychotic symptoms when under extreme stress; and often believing they have magical power and may engage in magical rituals

histrionic personality disorder (Cluster B)

excessive attention-seeking behavior and emotionality; feeling unappreciated if they’re not the center of attention; behavior ensure they can charm others into attending to them; appearance and behavior are often theatrical, emotional, and sexually provocative; attempts to control partners through seductive behavior and emotional manipulation; dependence; speech is vague and impressionistic; excessively concerned about the approval of others who see them as shallow, overly reactive, and insincere

narcissistic personality disorder (Cluster B)

exaggerated sense of self-importance; preoccupation with being admired; lack of empathy for the feelings of others

grandiose presentation

a subtype of narcissistic personality disorder that is manifested by traits related to extreme grandiosity, aggression, and dominance; strong tendency to overestimate one’s own abilities and accomplishments while underestimating the abilities and accomplishments of others; regarding their lavish expectations as what they deserve; unwilling to forgive others for perceived slights; taking offense easily

vulnerable presentation

a subtype of narcissistic personality disorder that has a very fragile and unstable sense of self-esteem; arrogance and condescension is merely a façade for intense shame and hypersensitivity to rejection and criticism; may void interpersonal relationships due to fear of rejection or criticism

antisocial personality disorder (ASPD; Cluster B)

tendency to persistently disregard and violate the rights of others through deceitful, aggressive, and antisocial behaviors with little regard for their safety or that of others; observable behaviors such as lying, getting into fights, or failing to honor financial obligations

borderline personality disorder (BPD; Cluster B)

pattern of behavior characterized by impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and mood; affective instability reflects in unusually intense emotional responses to environmental triggers and a slow return to a baseline emotional state; drastic and rapid shifts from one emotion to another; chronic feelings of emptiness; over idealizations of friends or lovers that later end in disillusionment, disappointment, and anger; very fearful of abandonment

avoidant personality disorder (Cluster C)

extreme social inhibition and introversion; limited social relationships and reluctance to enter into social interactions; hypersensitivity to and fear of criticism; desire for affection; often lonely and bored; deficits in their ability to experience pleasure

dependent personality disorder (Cluster C)

extreme need to be taken care of; clingy and submissive behavior; acute fear at the possibility of separation or having to be alone; seeing themselves as inept; builds their lives around other people and subordinates their needs and views to keep these people around; fails to get appropriately angry with others out of fear of losing their support; may remain in abusive relationships; great difficulty making simple and everyday decisions with out advice and reassurance; lack self-confidence and feels helpless even when they have good work skills or other competencies

obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD; Cluster C)

perfectionism; excessive concern with orderliness and control; preoccupied with maintaining mental and interpersonal control; pays careful attention to rules, order, and schedules; very careful in what they do so as not to make mistakes; uses their time poorly and has a difficult time seeing the larger picture; never finishes projects; difficulty taking vacations, relaxing, or doing anything just for fun; difficulty delegating tasks to others; seen by others as being rigid, stubborn, and cold

psychopathy

a persistent pattern of antisocial, impulsive, manipulative, and sometimes aggressive behavior; understood by four dimensions: interpersonal and affective (factor 1) and lifestyle and antisocial (factor 2)