Week 8: Personality Disorders: Classification, Clusters, and Clinical Profiles

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, Big Five traits, diagnostic clusters (A, B, and C), specific disorders, and therapeutic models presented in the personality disorders lecture series.

Personality

A dynamic and organized set of characteristics possessed by a person that uniquely influences their cognitions, emotions, motivations, and behaviours in various situations.

Personality Trait

A durable disposition to behave in a particular way in a variety of situations.

Core Clinical Features of Personality Disorders

Pathology characterized fundamentally by chronic interpersonal difficulties (problems with others) and problems with identity or sense of self (problems with self).

Diagnostic Overlap

The lack of sharp boundaries between personality disorders, resulting in high co-morbidity where an individual meeting criteria for one disorder frequently meets criteria for several others.

Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD)

A dimensional framework in the DSM-5 that shifts away from categorical diagnostic 'boxes' toward rating levels of personality functioning (Criterion A) and maladaptive personality traits (Criterion B).

Openness

A Big Five personality trait characterized by being curious, original, intellectual, creative, and open to new ideas.

Conscientiousness

A Big Five personality trait characterized by being organized, systematic, punctual, achievement-oriented, and dependable.

Extraversion

A Big Five personality trait characterized by being outgoing, talkative, sociable, and enjoying social situations.

Agreeableness

A Big Five personality trait characterized by being affable, tolerant, sensitive, trusting, kind, and warm.

Neuroticism

A Big Five personality trait characterized by being anxious, irritable, temperamental, and moody.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

A cluster of personality disorders described as odd or eccentric, comprising Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal personality disorders.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

A cluster of personality disorders described as dramatic, emotional, or erratic, comprising Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic personality disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

A cluster of personality disorders described as anxious or fearful, comprising Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive personality disorders.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

A Cluster B disorder marked by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age $15$, requiring at least $3$ behavioral symptoms, an age of at least $18$ for diagnosis, and a history of Conduct Disorder.

Psychopathy

A clinical construct focused on thoughts, feelings, and morals—characterized by poverty of affect (lack of fear), lack of empathy, glib superficial charm, manipulation, and good planning; not included in the DSM-5-TR.

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)

The clinical assessment tool used to measure traits and behaviors of psychopathy.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

A Cluster B disorder characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, along with marked impulsivity, fear of abandonment, self-harm, and high suicide risk; prevalence ranges from $0.4\%$ to $5.5\%$.

Splitting

A defense mechanism common in Borderline Personality Disorder involving an inability to integrate positive and negative qualities of oneself or others, alternating between extreme idealisation and devaluation.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

An evidence-based psychotherapy for BPD developed by Marsha Linehan that balances acceptance and change strategies to enhance emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.

DEAR MAN

A DBT interpersonal effectiveness acronym detailing how to tactfully get one's needs met: Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Mindful, Appear Confident, Negotiate.

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)

A Cluster B disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, theatrical expression, shallow shifting emotions, impressionistic speech, and perceiving relationships as more intimate than they are.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

A Cluster B disorder marked by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, accompanied by entitlement, arrogance, and interpersonal exploitation.

Grandiose Narcissism

A presentation of narcissism characterized by overt aggression, dominance, self-aggrandizement, and fantasies of heroic deeds or power.

Vulnerable Narcissism

A presentation of narcissism where outward arrogance masks hypersensitivity to criticism, a fragile sense of self-esteem, and a persistent preoccupation with whether others like or care about them.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

A Cluster A disorder characterized by pervasive, unjustified distrust and suspiciousness of others, suspecting exploitation or harm, reading hidden threats into benign events, and persistently holding grudges.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A Cluster A disorder featuring odd beliefs or magical thinking, unusual bodily perceptions, eccentric appearance, suspiciousness, and acute interpersonal discomfort with excessive social anxiety.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A Cluster A disorder characterized by profound detachment from social relationships, preference for solitary activities, lack of close friends, indifference to praise or criticism, and a restricted range of emotional expression.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A Cluster C disorder marked by pervasive social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of occupational or interpersonal activities due to fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.

Dependent Personality Disorder

A Cluster C disorder characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, resulting in submissive, clinging behaviour, difficulty making everyday decisions independently, and intense fears of separation.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

A Cluster C disorder marked by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, details, and control at the expense of flexibility, efficiency, and openness.

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP)

A psychotherapeutic intervention developed by Otto Kernberg focused on analyzing the client's transference and relationship dynamics to treat personality disorders.

Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)

A psychotherapy approach developed by Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy that trains clients to better understand and reflect upon mental states in themselves and others.