Abnormal Psych Personality Disorders
Exam 3 Review Questions and
Answers
Disorder characterized by patterns of deficits and discomfort with interpersonal
relationships; cognitive & perceptual distortions; magical thinking & ideas of
reference; unusual & idiosyncratic speech; and deficient in social skills & unusual
dress - ANSWER-schizotypal personality disorder
What are some of the causes of schizotypal personality disorder? (2) - ANSWER-1.
may be one phenotype of schizophrenia genotype
2. diagnosed more in relatives of schizophrenia
What are some of the treatments for schizotypal personality disorder? (2) -
ANSWER-1. teach social skills or adjust to solitude
2. medication for schizophrenia, but problem with side effects
What percentage of those with schizotypal personality disorder meet the criteria for
clinical depression? - ANSWER-30-50%
Disorder characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to
negative evaluation; avoid situations that involve significant social contact for fear of
disapproval or negative evaluation; reluctant to make friends, unless certain they will
be liked; show restraint in intimate relationships because they fear being ridiculed;
views self as socially inept and inferior to others and others see them as shy, timid,
and isolated; discomfort may elicit ridicule from those around them (confirms self-
doubts); vigilant and appraise the actions of others; fail to develop social support
networks to help during times of crisis - ANSWER-avoidant personality disorder
What are the main differences between avoidant personality disorder vs schizoid
personality disorder? (2) - ANSWER-1. would like to have relationships but have
poor self-esteem and fear inhibits that
2. contrasts with no interest in a relationship at all
WHat are some of the causes of avoidant personality disorder? (3) - ANSWER-1.
possibly born with a difficult temperament; leads to rejection by parents or at least
insufficient early, uncritical love
2. this rejection develops into low self-esteem and social alienation that persists into
adulthood
3. studies requiring AVDPDs to describe their upbringing have found results
supporting this formulation
, How do we treat avoidant personality disorder? (3) - ANSWER-1. behavioral
interventions for anxiety and social skills training have been effective (similar
approach to dealing with social phobia)
2. systemic desensitization for identified problem areas
3. behavioral rehearsal for anxiety evoking situations
Disorder characterized by the excessive need to be taken care of; submissiveness,
fear of separation and clinging behavior, trouble making decisions and allow others
to assume responsibility; and have trouble expressing disagreement - ANSWER-
dependent personality disorder
Disorder characterized by them going to great lengths to obtain nurturance and
support from others; difficulty initiating (lack self-confidence); preoccupied with being
alone & seek other relationships when one is ended; make self-sacrifices and
tolerate unwanted behavior (like abuse) - ANSWER-dependent personality disorder
What are some of the causes of dependent personality disorder? (2) - ANSWER-1.
possibly from early loss of parent or rejection by a parent leading to one growing up
with fear of abandonment
2. if infant-caregiver attachment is interrupted, then the person may be constantly
anxious that others will leave them
What are some treatments for dependent personality disorder? (1) - ANSWER-1.
therapy: early on seem ideal, their submissiveness negates important goal
(becoming independent); therapy is slow and therapist must be sure the patient does
not become overly dependent
A disorder characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and
mental & interpersonal control; get angry in situations in which they are not in
control; preoccupied with details, rules, and schedules; excessively devoted to work;
perfectionism to the point that it interferes with tasks; take a lot of time to make
decisions; miserly and unable to discard worn-out belongings; overly conscientious
and inflexible about morality; rigid and stubborn - ANSWER-obsessive-compulsive
personality disorder
What are the main differences between OCPD vs OCD? (1) - ANSWER-1. traits are
ego-syntonic for OCPD: not distressed by o-c symptoms compared to OCD patients
who do not want their symptoms
What are some of the causes of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? (2) -
ANSWER-1. some genetic contribution
2. environmental influence like parental reinforcement of neatness and orderliness
How do we treat obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? - ANSWER-not much
on this topic
Disorder characterized by a pattern of disregard and violation of others rights;
criminal behavior, deceitfulness and conning for own gain; impulsive and reckless
disregard for others; irritable and repeated aggression; substance abuse present in
Exam 3 Review Questions and
Answers
Disorder characterized by patterns of deficits and discomfort with interpersonal
relationships; cognitive & perceptual distortions; magical thinking & ideas of
reference; unusual & idiosyncratic speech; and deficient in social skills & unusual
dress - ANSWER-schizotypal personality disorder
What are some of the causes of schizotypal personality disorder? (2) - ANSWER-1.
may be one phenotype of schizophrenia genotype
2. diagnosed more in relatives of schizophrenia
What are some of the treatments for schizotypal personality disorder? (2) -
ANSWER-1. teach social skills or adjust to solitude
2. medication for schizophrenia, but problem with side effects
What percentage of those with schizotypal personality disorder meet the criteria for
clinical depression? - ANSWER-30-50%
Disorder characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to
negative evaluation; avoid situations that involve significant social contact for fear of
disapproval or negative evaluation; reluctant to make friends, unless certain they will
be liked; show restraint in intimate relationships because they fear being ridiculed;
views self as socially inept and inferior to others and others see them as shy, timid,
and isolated; discomfort may elicit ridicule from those around them (confirms self-
doubts); vigilant and appraise the actions of others; fail to develop social support
networks to help during times of crisis - ANSWER-avoidant personality disorder
What are the main differences between avoidant personality disorder vs schizoid
personality disorder? (2) - ANSWER-1. would like to have relationships but have
poor self-esteem and fear inhibits that
2. contrasts with no interest in a relationship at all
WHat are some of the causes of avoidant personality disorder? (3) - ANSWER-1.
possibly born with a difficult temperament; leads to rejection by parents or at least
insufficient early, uncritical love
2. this rejection develops into low self-esteem and social alienation that persists into
adulthood
3. studies requiring AVDPDs to describe their upbringing have found results
supporting this formulation
, How do we treat avoidant personality disorder? (3) - ANSWER-1. behavioral
interventions for anxiety and social skills training have been effective (similar
approach to dealing with social phobia)
2. systemic desensitization for identified problem areas
3. behavioral rehearsal for anxiety evoking situations
Disorder characterized by the excessive need to be taken care of; submissiveness,
fear of separation and clinging behavior, trouble making decisions and allow others
to assume responsibility; and have trouble expressing disagreement - ANSWER-
dependent personality disorder
Disorder characterized by them going to great lengths to obtain nurturance and
support from others; difficulty initiating (lack self-confidence); preoccupied with being
alone & seek other relationships when one is ended; make self-sacrifices and
tolerate unwanted behavior (like abuse) - ANSWER-dependent personality disorder
What are some of the causes of dependent personality disorder? (2) - ANSWER-1.
possibly from early loss of parent or rejection by a parent leading to one growing up
with fear of abandonment
2. if infant-caregiver attachment is interrupted, then the person may be constantly
anxious that others will leave them
What are some treatments for dependent personality disorder? (1) - ANSWER-1.
therapy: early on seem ideal, their submissiveness negates important goal
(becoming independent); therapy is slow and therapist must be sure the patient does
not become overly dependent
A disorder characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and
mental & interpersonal control; get angry in situations in which they are not in
control; preoccupied with details, rules, and schedules; excessively devoted to work;
perfectionism to the point that it interferes with tasks; take a lot of time to make
decisions; miserly and unable to discard worn-out belongings; overly conscientious
and inflexible about morality; rigid and stubborn - ANSWER-obsessive-compulsive
personality disorder
What are the main differences between OCPD vs OCD? (1) - ANSWER-1. traits are
ego-syntonic for OCPD: not distressed by o-c symptoms compared to OCD patients
who do not want their symptoms
What are some of the causes of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? (2) -
ANSWER-1. some genetic contribution
2. environmental influence like parental reinforcement of neatness and orderliness
How do we treat obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? - ANSWER-not much
on this topic
Disorder characterized by a pattern of disregard and violation of others rights;
criminal behavior, deceitfulness and conning for own gain; impulsive and reckless
disregard for others; irritable and repeated aggression; substance abuse present in
