Chapter 15: Personality Disorders

Personality Disorder

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

paranoid personality disorder

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

schizoid personality disorder

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

schizotypal personality disorder

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

antisocial personality disorder

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

borderline personality disorder

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

mentalization

the capacity to understand one’s own mental states and those of other people

dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

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

a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionally and attention seeking. Once called hysterical personality disorder

narcissistic personality disorder

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

avoidant personality disorder

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

dependent personality disorder

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

obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

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

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