What are PD’s? Think of: The core construction of a person’s world Experiences and Behaviors remarkably outside the norm (for culture). Causes significant distress or impairment Starts in adolescence/early adulthood Pervasive across settings Not GMC or Substance

Incidence/Diagnosis 10-15% of population Varies based on disorder. Some prevalence uncertain Diagnosed after the age of 18. Consider all other diagnoses

Cluster A: The Odd/Eccentric Ones Schizoid Personality Disorder Primary feature: detached from others and restricted emotions. Little desire for relationships, prefers solitary actions, may appear indifferent/cold/aloof. Paranoid Personality Disorder Primary feature: Distrust, suspiciousness about other’s motives. Believes they are being exploited, reads hidden meaning, reacts quickly w/anger Schizotypal Personality Disorder Think Schizoid and then some Decreased desire for relationships AND eccentricity. “Magical thinking,” ideas of reference, suspiciousness, Sometimes seen as pre-morbid to Psychotic Disorders

Cluster B: The Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Ones Antisocial Personality Disorder Primary feature: complete disregard for others/rules (think: the sociopaths) Includes violence, law violations, lying/cheating, lack of remorse. May appear as very charming or cocky and hostile. The one disorder where symptoms must be present by the age of 15 (still cannot diagnose until 18). Borderline Personality Disorder Primary feature: Unstable relationships, self-image, and affect. Impulsivity. This stems from an unstable “sense of self” Make frantic efforts to about being abandoned, very reactive in mood, idealization/devaluation, feelings of emptiness, frequent suicide attempts/cutting episodes.

Cluster B Continued Narcissistic Personality Disorder Primary feature: Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy. (stems from fragile ego) Feel entitled, exaggerate talents, believes he/she is special, exploitive, envious of others (believes opposite), arrogant Histrionic Personality Disorder Primary feature: Excessive emotionality and attention seeking behavior (think: the drama queen) These people want to be the center of attention at all costs. Feel uncomfortable when they are not (use sexuality, speech, theatrics, etc).

Cluster C: Anxious or Fearful Ones Avoidant Personality Disorder Primary feature: Pervasive social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluations Preoccupied with fears of criticism, ridicule, etc that limits social interaction. Dependent Personality Disorder Primary feature: Excessive need to be taken care of leading to submissive, clinging behavior. Can’t make choices, needs complete guidance, fails to take responsibility, lacks self-confidence in abilities. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Primary feature: Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control (think: Anal retentive) Preoccupied with rules, perfection, work, etc to the point that tasks aren’t completed. May be miserly and unwilling to share tasks with others.

PD NOS Don’t meet criteria for a specific disorder, but distress is apparent. The mixed personality A disorder not listed in DSM-IV-TR but is under research

Causes/Treatment Contention Genetics vs. environmental factors. Research is not consistent Psychoanalytic theory prevalent Challenging to treat Long term Some “resolve” on own Personality testing is beneficial