Personality Disorders. Definition: Personality Disorder an enduring pattern of maladaptive behavior features of these disorders usually become recognizable.

Personality Disorders

Definition: Personality Disorder

•an enduring pattern of maladaptive behavior

•features of these disorders usually become recognizable during adolescence or early adult life

•should not be confused with personality trait

Three Types of Personality Disorders:

Cluster A

Cluster B

Cluster C

Cluster AParanoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal

Defining characteristics of Cluster A:

• Eccentric

• Withdrawal behavior

Cluster BCluster BAntisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic,

NarcissisticNarcissistic

Defining characteristics of Cluster B:Defining characteristics of Cluster B:

• DramaticDramatic

• EmotionalEmotional

• Erratic/explosiveErratic/explosive

• Likes to be center of attentionLikes to be center of attention

Cluster CAvoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive

Defining characteristics of Cluster C:

• Anxious

• Fearful

Paranoid Personality DisorderPervasive distrust & suspiciousness of

others

1. suspects exploitation or deception of others

2. jealous & envious3. hypersensitive (reads hidden demeaning

or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events)

cont.

Paranoid Personality Disorder cont.

3. rigid

4. persistently bears grudges

(i.e. unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights)

Schizoid Personality DisorderSchizoid Personality Disorder

• Pattern of detachment from social relationships

• Restricted range of expressions of emotions (cool, aloof, doesn’t react)

cont.

1. neither desires nor enjoys close relationships (including being part of a family)

2. almost always chooses solitary activities3. has little interest in sexual encounters4. takes pleasure in few, if any activities5. appear indifferent to praise or criticism

of others

Schizoid Personality Disorder cont.Schizoid Personality Disorder cont.

Schizotypal Personality Schizotypal Personality DisorderDisorder

• Demonstrates many symptoms related to those of schizophrenia but of less severe nature

cont.

1. tends to be a loner; excessive social anxiety

2. appearance is odd, eccentric, or peculiar

3. unusual pattern of talking that is vague & abstract

Schizotypal Personality Disorder cont.Schizotypal Personality Disorder cont.

4. usually demonstrates lack of emotions, but when emotions are shown, often seem inappropriate for circumstance

5. preoccupied by thoughts of magical nature

Schizotypal Personality Disorder cont.Schizotypal Personality Disorder cont.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Disregard for and violation of rights of others

cont.

1. unlawful behavior despite potential for arrest

2. deceitfulness (repeated lying, use of aliases, conning for personal profit or pleasure)

3. repeated physical fights or assaults

Antisocial Personality Disorder cont.

4. reckless disregard for safety of self or others

5. irresponsible 6. lack of remorse7. evidence of this behavior appears

before 15 years of age

Antisocial Personality Disorder cont.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Demonstrates unpredictability of self-image, in relationships & emotions

cont.

1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment

2. pattern of intense & unstable interpersonal relationships (idealization & devaluation)

3. impulsivity that is potentially self-damaging (spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating)

Borderline Personality Disorder cont.

4. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats, or self-mutilating behavior

5. chronic feelings of emptiness

6. difficulty controlling anger

Borderline Personality Disorder cont.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Excessive emotions & attention seeking behavior behavior

cont.

Histrionic Personality Disorder cont.

1. always wants to be center of attention

2. inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior

3. rapidly shifting & shallow expression of emotions

4. dramatic speech exaggerated with emotion

5. easily influenced by others or circumstances

6. considers relationships more intimate than they actually are

Histrionic Personality Disorder cont.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Attitude that the world exists to meet his/her needs

cont.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder cont.

1. sense of self-importance (exaggerates achievements & talents)

2. preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, beauty, or ideal love

3. believes he/she is “special”

4. has sense of entitlement

cont.

5. requires excessive admiration

6. takes advantage of others to achieve own ends

7. lacks empathy

8. often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him/her

9. arrogant, haughty behavior or attitude

Narcissistic Personality Disorder cont.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Demonstrates pattern of

• social inhibition

• feelings of inadequacy

• hypersensitivity to negative situations

cont.

Avoidant personality Disorder cont.

1. avoids interpersonal activities (occupational & social)

2. unwilling to get involved unless certain of being liked

3. shows restraint within intimate relationships (fear of ridicule)

5. views self as socially inept, inferior, or unappealing

6. reluctant to take personal risks or engage in new activities

Avoidant personality Disorder cont.

Dependent Personality Disorder

• Excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive & clinging behavior

cont.

Dependent Personality Disorder cont.

1. difficulty making decisions without advice & reassurance

2. needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of life

3. difficulty expressing disagreement with others

4. difficulty initiating projects on own

5. goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance

6. feels helpless when alone

Dependent Personality Disorder cont.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

• Preoccupation with orderliness & perfectionism

cont.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder cont.Disorder cont.

1. Preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization or schedules to extent that major point of activity is lost

2. Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion

3. Excessively devoted to work to exclusion of leisure activities & friendships

cont.

4. Reluctant to delegate tasks

5. Over conscientious, inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values

6. Unable to discard worn-out worthless objects

7. Rigid & stubborn

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder cont.Disorder cont.

cont.

Don’t confuse Don’t confuse Obsessive-Compulsive Obsessive-Compulsive PersonalityPersonality Disorder Disorder with with Obsessive-Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderCompulsive Disorder (OCD) (OCD)

•Individuals with OCD have obsessions and compulsions that are held in place by rituals, superstitions, and fears.

•Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder individuals are “neat-freaks”.