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Cluster C Personality Disorders

Includes Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders, characterized by anxious and fearful behaviors.

Key features of Avoidant Personality Disorder

Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Difference between Avoidant PD and Social Anxiety Disorder

Avoidant PD is pervasive and rooted in self-concept, whereas Social Anxiety is more situational.

Risk factors for Avoidant PD

Childhood rejection, abuse, behavioral inhibition.

Treatment for Avoidant PD

CBT, social skills training, SSRIs, exposure therapy.

Example of Avoidant PD

Avoiding job promotions or social events despite wanting connection due to fear of embarrassment.

Key features of Dependent Personality Disorder

Excessive need to be taken care of, submissiveness, fear of separation.

Difference between Dependent PD and Avoidant PD

Dependent clings to relationships to avoid being alone; Avoidant avoids due to fear of rejection.

Risk factors for Dependent PD

Childhood illness, overprotective parenting, sociotropy.

Treatment for Dependent PD

Assertiveness training, developing decision-making skills, structured CBT.

Example of Dependent PD

Needs others to take responsibility for their life and stays in unhealthy relationships.

Key features of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, control at the expense of flexibility.

Difference between OCPD and OCD

OCPD is ego-syntonic while OCD involves distressing obsessions and compulsions.

Risk factors for OCPD

Harsh parenting, overcontrol in childhood, genetic traits for perfectionism.

Treatment for OCPD

Addressing fear of failure, CBT, sometimes SSRIs.

Example of OCPD

Spends hours organizing tasks, refuses help, overly critical of mistakes.

Components of self-compassion

Self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness.

Benefit of self-compassion in Cluster C disorders

Reduces shame, manages fear of judgment, improves emotion regulation.

Definition of psychosis

A loss of contact with reality, involving hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking.

Symptom categories of psychosis

Positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms.

Positive symptoms of psychosis

Hallucinations and delusions.

Diagnostic criteria for Schizophrenia

2+ symptoms for at least 1 month, continuous disturbance for 6+ months.

Risk factors for Schizophrenia

Genetics, dopamine dysregulation, cannabis use, low SES, urban upbringing.

Prognosis types for Schizophrenia

50% recovery, 35% multiple episodes, 22% chronic symptoms.

Treatment for Schizophrenia

Antipsychotics, CBT for psychosis, family therapy.

Example of Schizophrenia

A person hears voices commenting on their actions and becomes socially withdrawn.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A mix of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms with at least 2 weeks of psychosis without mood symptoms.

Delusional Disorder

1+ month of non-bizarre delusions with otherwise intact functioning.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

Psychotic symptoms lasting 1 day to <1 month, often after a major stressor.

Schizophreniform Disorder

Similar to schizophrenia but lasting 1-6 months.