1. Personality Disorders

2. 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
-A personality trait is an individual quality that makes one person different from another, but does not constitute abnormal or dysfunctional behavior & never reaches the threshold of personality disorder.

3. Three Types of Personality Disorders:
Cluster A
Cluster B
Cluster C

4. Cluster A Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
Defining characteristics of Cluster A:
Eccentric
Withdrawal behavior

5. Cluster B Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic
Defining characteristics of Cluster B:
Dramatic
Emotional
Erratic/explosive
Likes to be center of attention

6. Cluster C Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
Defining characteristics of Cluster C:
Anxious
Fearful

7. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Pervasive distrust & suspiciousness of others
suspects exploitation or deception of others
jealous & envious
hypersensitive (reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events)
cont.

8. Paranoid Personality Disorder cont.
3. rigid
4. persistently bears grudges
(i.e. unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights)
Paranoid personality trait – person tends to be distrustful for suspicious in limited situations.

9. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Pattern of detachment from social relationships
Restricted range of expressions of emotions
(cool, aloof, doesn’t react)
cont.

10. Schizoid Personality Disorder cont.
neither desires nor enjoys close relationships (including being part of a family)
almost always chooses solitary activities
has little interest in sexual encounters
takes pleasure in few, if any activities
appear indifferent to praise or criticism of others
Schizoid personality trait – likes being alone, but has friends and engages in activities.

11. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Demonstrates many symptoms related to those of schizophrenia but of less severe nature
cont.

12. Schizotypal Personality Disorder cont.
tends to be a loner; excessive social anxiety
appearance is odd, eccentric, or peculiar
unusual pattern of talking that is vague & abstract
-Individuals with schizotypal personality tend to be superstitious, believe in clairvoyance, telepathy, or “sixth sense”, and have bizarre fantasies.
-Schizotypal personality trait – appears and acts a little eccentric, but otherwise “normal”.

13. 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

14. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Disregard for and violation of rights of others
cont.

15. Antisocial Personality Disorder cont.
unlawful behavior despite potential for arrest
deceitfulness (repeated lying, use of aliases, conning for personal profit or pleasure)
repeated physical fights or assaults
Antisocial personality trait – limited “bully-like” behavior but doesn’t disregard law.

16. Antisocial Personality Disorder cont.
4. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
5. irresponsible
6. lack of remorse
7. evidence of this behavior appears before 15 years of age

17. Borderline Personality Disorder
Demonstrates unpredictability of self-image, in relationships & emotions
cont.

18. Borderline Personality Disorder cont.
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 trait – somewhat low self-esteem; no self destructive behavior or suicidal tendencies.

19. Borderline Personality Disorder cont.
4. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats, or self-mutilating behavior
5. chronic feelings of emptiness
6. difficulty controlling anger

20. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Excessive emotions & attention seeking behavior behavior
cont.

21. Histrionic Personality Disorder cont.
always wants to be center of attention
2. inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
3. rapidly shifting & shallow expression of emotions
Histrionic personality trait – limited dramatic-type behavior.

22. 4. dramatic speech exaggerated with emotion
Histrionic Personality Disorder cont.
4. dramatic speech exaggerated with emotion
5. easily influenced by others or circumstances
6. considers relationships more intimate than they actually are

23. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Attitude that the world exists to meet his/her needs
cont.

24. Narcissistic Personality Disorder cont.
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”
has sense of entitlement
cont.

25. Narcissistic Personality Disorder cont.
requires excessive admiration
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 trait – vain.

26. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Demonstrates pattern of
social inhibition
feelings of inadequacy
hypersensitivity to negative situations
cont.

27. Avoidant personality Disorder cont.
avoids interpersonal activities (occupational & social)
2. unwilling to get involved unless certain of being liked
3. shows restraint within intimate relationships (fear of ridicule)
Avoidant personality trait – somewhat shy when initially meeting people.

28. Avoidant personality Disorder cont.
5. views self as socially inept, inferior, or unappealing
6. reluctant to take personal risks or engage in new activities

29. Dependent Personality Disorder
Excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive & clinging behavior
cont.

30. Dependent Personality Disorder cont.
difficulty making decisions without advice & reassurance
2. needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of life
3. difficulty expressing disagreement with others
Dependent personality trait – likes to be with friends, but can work alone.

31. Dependent Personality Disorder cont.
4. difficulty initiating projects on own
5. goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance
6. feels helpless when alone

32. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Preoccupation with orderliness & perfectionism
cont.

33. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder cont.
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.

34. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder cont.
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 trait – very organized & neat without being over zealous.
cont.

35. Don’t confuse Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (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”.