Your cart is currently empty!
M05.09.45 Personality Disorders
This section provides an overview of personality disorders, focusing on presentations relevant to medical students. Personality disorders are enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate from cultural expectations and cause significant distress or impairment.
Key Points to Remember:
- Personality disorders are long-standing (egosyntonic) and maladaptive patterns of behavior that cause distress or impairment.
- Diagnosis is typically not given before adulthood because personality traits are still developing in children and adolescents.
- However, some features of personality disorders may be evident in childhood or adolescence, and early intervention can be helpful.
Cluster A: Odd and Eccentric
These disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behaviors and thinking patterns.
| Disorder | Description | Points to Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Paranoid | A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others. | * Preoccupied with mistrust and betrayal. * Reluctant to confide in others. * Sees hidden threats in benign situations. |
| Schizoid | A lifelong pattern of detachment from social relationships and a preference for solitude. | * Emotionally distant and aloof. * Lacks close friendships and prefers isolation. * Restricted range of emotional expression. |
| Schizotypal | A pattern of odd beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors. | * Magical thinking (e.g., ESP, telepathy). * Ideas of reference (assigns personal meaning to unrelated events). * Odd speech patterns or mannerisms. * Socially awkward and anxious. |
drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets
Cluster B: Dramatic, Erratic, and Emotional
These disorders are characterized by dramatic, erratic emotions and behaviors, and an intense need for attention.
| Disorder | Description | Points to Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Histrionic | Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. | * Overly dramatic and theatrical presentations. * Craves constant admiration and validation. * Uses physical appearance or sexual allure to manipulate situations. |
| Narcissistic | An inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. | * Grandiose sense of self-worth. * Believes they are superior to others. * Requires constant praise and attention. * Fragile self-esteem masked by arrogance. |
| Borderline | A pattern of unstable moods, relationships, and self-image. | * Intense and unpredictable emotions. * Chaotic and crisis-filled relationships. * Self-destructive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, self-harm). * Difficulty being alone (fear of abandonment). |
| Antisocial | A pervasive disregard for and violation of the rights of others. | * Repeatedly breaks the law and social norms. * Deceitful and manipulative. * Lacks remorse or empathy for victims. * Unable to maintain stable relationships or employment. |
drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets
Cluster C: Anxious and Fearful
These disorders are characterized by pervasive anxiety, fearfulness, and a need for control.
| Disorder | Description | Points to Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Avoidant | Excessive social anxiety and fear of negative evaluation. | * Avoids social situations due to fear of rejection. * Feels inadequate and unappealing to others. * Intensely desires social connection but avoids it due to fear. |
| Obsessive-Compulsive | A preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. | * Repetitive thoughts and behaviors (obsessions and compulsions). * Excessive need for order and routine. * Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or change. |
| Dependent | An excessive need to rely on others for support and decision-making. | * Difficulty making decisions or taking responsibility. * Subordinates own needs to please others. * Clingy and fearful of abandonment. |
drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets
Important Note:
This table provides a simplified overview of personality disorders. Diagnosis should be made by a qualified mental health professional using a standardized assessment tool.
Bibliography
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2020, July 29). Personality disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/personality-disorders