Personality Disorders 411
Drashti, Suzanne, Matt
Personality Overview
Long-lasting rigid patterns of thought and behavior
Enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates significantly from the culture; can be traced back to beginnings of adulthood
Must cause significant distress or impairment in personal, social and/or occupational situations
Tend to be integral part of a person and are difficult to treat or cure
Breakthroughs- In Borderline Personality Disorder
Most have suffered childhood abuse
The screening tool used to diagnose may not be entirely correct
Research has linked a faulty gene and a malfunctioning body clock to the disease
- Combination of transference-focused psychotherapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and supportive psychotherapy achieve best results
Schizoid
Inability or desire to form social relationships
Has difficulty expressing emotions.
May lack desire for intimacy and close relationships.
Have difficulty keeping relationships. Have a directionless life with “drifting goals”
Causes- (Biological and Psychoanalytic)
Most subscribe it to biopsychosocial cause meaning biological factors and genetic factors, social factors, and psychological (individual's temperament).
Symptoms-
Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
Almost always chooses solitary activities
Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person
Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives
Treatments- (Cognitive, Biological, and Psychoanalytic)
Long term psychotherapy(Group or Individual). It is a slow, gradual process.
Medications may be provided but only for short term symptom relief. These might be prescribed if the person also suffers from depression or associated psychological disorder like depression(anti-depressant).
Self- Help- Often overlooked by professionals. Can lead to higher life functioning.
Paranoid
Inappropriately suspicious of others and their motives
Always assuming people are out to deceive, exploit, or harm them even if there is no evidence to support their suspicion.
Lack trust in others resulting in problems in their close relationships.
Causes- (Biological and Psychoanalytic)
There is not an exact cause, but there are a combination of biological and psychosocial causes possible. This correlates to how they interacted with their family and friends at an young age.
The fact that PPD is more common in people who have close relatives with schizophrenia suggests a genetic link between the two disorders.
Symptoms-
Doubt the commitment,loyalty,or trustworthiness of others. Have recurrent suspicions.
Are reluctant to confide in other or reveal personal information due to a fear that it will be used against them.
Are unforgiving and hold grudges and are hostile.
Are hypersensitive and take criticism poorly.
Reads hidden meanings in innocent remarks.
Treatments- (Biological and Psychoanalytic)
Psychotherapy- Group, Individual, Couples, and Family.
Medications- Such as anti-anxiety, anti-depressant or anti-psychotic drugs, might be prescribed if he or she also suffers depression or anxiety.
Narcissistic
Displaying a grandiose sense of self-importance (either in fantasy or actual behavior).
Causes- (Biological and Cognitive)
Biological and genetic factors, social factors, and psychological factors
It usually starts with a significant emotional wound or a series of them culminating in a major trauma of separation/attachment. No matter how socially skilled an extreme narcissist is, he has a major attachment dysfunction.
Symptoms-
believe better than everyone else, special
trouble keeping healthy relationships, taking advantage of others
fragile self-esteem, appearing tough
a person is always trying to be perfect and displaying a false self to others
Treatments-
Long-term psychotherapy, medications and some extreme symptoms diminish with age; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines
Cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, group
Borderline Personality (Cognitive)
- Pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image and emotions. People with borderline personality disorder are also usually very impulsive.
- Usually in early adulthood
Symptoms
marked instability in self-image, mood, relationships
trying to avoid real or imagined abandonment
unstable and intense relationships
identity problems, feelings of self-hate and self-loathing
impulsive and risking behavior, mood swings, suicidal thoughts
Causes (Biological and Psychosocial)
May be inherited, may have history of childhood abuse, neglect or separation, some research shows changes in brains areas in mood regulation, impulsivity and aggression: brain chemicals like serotonin may not be functioning properly
Treatments (biological and psychoanalytic)
Dialectical behavior therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy; mentalization-based therapy; schema-focused therapy; transference-forced psychotherapy
Medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety drugs
- hospitalization might be needed for suicidal thoughts or self-harm
Antisocial Personality Disorder (Cognitive and Biological)
Showing little sense of remorse while lying, cheating, stealing
Often referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy
Symptoms
Disregard for right and wrong, lying
Egocentrism, difficulties with law
Child abuse(the abuser), abusive relationships, aggression
Lack of empathy, risk-taking
Animal cruelty alcohol and drug abuse
Causes (Biological)
Genes that make people vulnerable: life situations trigger its development
Environmental factors such as child abuse at an young age may also be a factor
Treatment- (psychoanalytic and biological)
Psychotherapy, antipsychotic, antidepressant
Mood-stabilizing medications
If extreme, then hospitalization or self help may also be used.
Most people don’t seek treatment because they don’t believe they have it
Dependent Personality Disorder (Biological and Psychoanalytic)
Inability to make decisions or act independently
Often characterized by pessimism or self-doubt
Seek over protection and dominance from others. Take criticism as worthlessness and lose faith in themselves
Symptoms
Has difficulty making everyday decisions
Needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas
Has difficulty expressing disagreement with others. Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others
Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone
Urgently seeks another relationship
Is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself
Causes
Central to their psychodynamic constellation is an insecure form of attachment to others, which may be the result of clinging parental behavior
Some researchers believe an authoritarian or overprotective parenting style can lead to the development of dependent personality traits.
Treatment (Biological and Psychoanalytic)
Therapy may include individual, couples, group, and family.
Different approaches to therapy include postdynamic based on assumptions person is having emotional problems, and also interpersonal which is the interaction person has with close family and friends.
Medications- Antidepressant and anxiety if diagnosed with depression.
Avoidant Personality Disorder (Biological and Psychoanalytic)
Marked social anxiety leading to isolation
Might cause social phobia, dependent personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Symptoms
Avoids occupational activities
Is unwilling to get involved with people
Shows restraint within intimate relationships
Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations
Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
Views himself as socially inept
Causes
Most professionals subscribe to a biopsychosocial model of causation
Factors such as how a person interacts in their early development with their family and friends and other children, and psychological factors
Treatment
Talk therapy
Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants may be prescribed