Class will continue with a focus on personality disorders, possibly extending into the next week due to time constraints.
Upcoming guest lecture by TA Brie on Thursday, contents will be included in exams.
Instructor will not be present on Thursday due to a professional conference in Chicago; will not hold office hours; students can reach out via email with questions.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Definition: Characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance.
Beyond just positive self-regard, the hallmark of narcissism is intolerance and hostility towards criticism.
Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Undetermined causes, considered understudied.
Normative Developmental Perspective:
Children exhibit egoistic traits, viewing themselves as central and expecting praise. Most outgrow these traits.
Sociocultural Viewpoint:
Increasing prevalence of narcissistic traits, especially among younger generations; relation to the 'me' generation and overemphasis on self-esteem.
Parental Practices:
Lack of empathy learned in childhood. Parenting behaviors can lead to narcissism.
Balance between excessive praise and unrealistic expectations can cause confusion in self-worth.
Example: receiving endless praise but facing harsh disapproval for inadequate performance.
Severe Emotional Abuse:
Fluctuating messages from parents (e.g., "You are wonderful" vs. "You are a failure") can create self-esteem issues.
Treatment
Generally considered challenging due to limited understanding of causes.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Characterization:
Most stigmatized personality disorder, known for unstable moods and relationships.
The term ‘borderline’ indicates it lies on the border between mood disorders and personality disorders.
Symptoms and Features
Dramatic Emotional Instability: Fluctuations from euphoria to irritability and negativity.
Relationships: Intense relationships characterized by idealization and devaluation, known as splitting.
Example: Rapid shifts from feeling close and loving to perceiving someone as worthless.
Impulsivity: Engaging in risky behaviors (e.g., substance use, reckless driving).
Fear of Abandonment: An intense fear leading to frantic efforts to avoid perceived rejection.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Gestures: Acts motivated by excessive emotional distress.
Diagnosis Criteria
Must exhibit 5 or more of the following traits:
Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
Instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect.
Marked impulsivity in various aspects of life.
Identity disturbance and chronic feelings of emptiness.
Difficulty controlling anger or frequent angry outbursts.
Affective instability characterized by emotional dysregulation.
Treatment Approaches
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Specifically developed for BPD by Marsha Linehan.
Combines acceptance and change strategies.
Four modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness.
Use of mood stabilizers or antidepressants may be considered.
Co-morbid Conditions
High rates of comorbid mood disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder).
Substance use disorders and eating disorders are also prevalent in BPD patients.
Potential Causes
Biological components: Genetic predisposition, particularly for high levels of neuroticism.
Environmental Factors: Trauma or neglect during childhood; presence of invalidating environments restricts emotional regulation.
Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD)
Clinical Features:
Extreme sensitivity to opinions of others leading to social avoidance.
Low self-esteem and an intense fear of rejection or humiliation.
Comparison to Social Anxiety Disorder
AvPD viewed as a more pervasive and severe form of social anxiety, where individuals may avoid most social relationships entirely.
Treatment Approaches
Similar strategies as for social anxiety disorders.
Cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and social skills training.
Establishing a therapeutic relationship is critical for effective treatment.
Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)
Clinical Features:
Heavy reliance on others for emotional and decision-making needs; often submissive.
Leaves individuals vulnerable to exploitation or abuse in relationships.
Causes
May stem from traumatic separation in childhood and issues related to attachment.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Definition: Not to be confused with OCD; characterized by a preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control over tasks and thoughts.
Key traits include rigidity, excessive devotion to work, and difficulties with spontaneity.
Distinctions from OCD
Obsessions in OCD are intrusive and unwanted; traits in OCP person viewed as acceptable and valued.
OCPD is far more common compared to OCD in clinical populations.
Treatment Approaches
Addressing perfectionistic tendencies through cognitive therapy and exposure techniques that encourage flexibility in routine and acceptance of imperfections.
Misconceptions Regarding OCPD
Often misunderstood as synonymous with OCD; treated as separate entities in clinical psychology.
OCPD often results in adverse life impacts, including reduced productivity and relationship difficulties.
Conclusion
Summary of three clusters of personality disorders:
Cluster A: Odd or eccentric disorders.
Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders: NPD, BPD, etc.
Cluster C: Anxious or fearful disorders: AvPD, DPD, OCPD.
Students encouraged to study these disorders by their core distinguishing characteristics rather than just prevalence or gender distribution.
Reminder: Upcoming guest lecture and lack of office hours due to instructor commitments.