PsychDis-Exam3

Frederick's Characteristics

• Self-serving Attitudes: Frederick believes he deserves greater rewards (higher grades, better jobs, more attention).
• Response to Criticism: Shows anger when criticized, perceiving critics as envious of his perceived superiority in intelligence or looks.
• Romantic Relationships: Appears socially successful; engages in deep relationships but tires of partners quickly.

Understanding Personality Disorders

• Definition of Personality: Refers to individual characteristics that influence behavior; however, situational factors also play a significant role in actual behavior.
• Dispositional vs Situational Factors: Personality traits do influence actions but are generally less impactful compared to situational influences.
• Disorders Defined: Personality disorders impair functioning and differ in perception; commonly contentious in empirical and practical contexts.
• Controversy: Calling personality issues 'disorders' suggests a medical model which some professionals question.
• Experience Spectrum: Personality disorders can cause distress for individuals or for those around them; not all individuals experience distress from their traits.

Features of Personality Disorders

• Common Characteristics:
  • Extreme and dysfunctional personality traits.
  • Appear during adolescence or early adulthood.
  • Many affected individuals are unaware of their conditions.
  • Prevalence: Up to 11% of adults might display traits of personality disorders.
  • Treatment Difficulty: Challenging to change ingrained personality traits, leading to variability in treatment success.

Diagnosis Challenges

• Diagnosis Complexity: Often difficult due to overlapping traits among different disorders, requiring careful consideration when assessing individuals.
• Key Diagnostic Factor: Impairment of normal functioning distinguishes disorders from mere traits.

Odd Personality Disorders

• Symptoms Overview: Present with symptoms akin to schizophrenia, such as:
  • Suspicion and withdrawal.
  • Eccentric thinking patterns.
  • Tendency toward isolation.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

• Profile: Individuals show little interest in social relationships and emotional expression, preferring solitude.
• Case Study – Eli: A student who isolates from family and lacks interest in social interaction, demonstrating disinterest rather than fear.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

• Severity: More severe than paranoid or schizoid personalities; individuals exhibit:
  • Extreme discomfort in close relationships.
  • Significant interpersonal difficulties.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Characteristics: Behaviors include:
  • Recklessness and disregard for others’ rights.
  • Patterns of lying, manipulation, and failing to honor commitments.
  • Symptoms often emerge in childhood or adolescence.
• Notable Behaviors: Early indicators may include animal cruelty, truancy, or property destruction.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Dynamics: Intense emotional responses, fear of abandonment, and unstable relationships.
• Clinical Presentation: Patients often struggle with self-image, may engage in impulsive behaviors, and have difficulty managing emotions.
• Therapeutic Relationships: Patients may become attached to therapists, complicating boundaries.
• Therapeutic Approaches: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) shows moderate success; medication may assist with comorbid conditions like anxiety.

Complications in Treatment

• Therapy Engagement: Patients often seek therapy, indicating motivation for change; however, their intense emotional fluctuations can pose challenges.
• Impacts of External Judgements: Patients frequently have distorted perceptions of relationships and reactions, sometimes leading to self-destructive behaviors.