ATI Personality Disorder Assessment
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
Dimensional approach: proposed alternative. - ANSWER-Each specific trait seen as
varying along continuum from non-problematic to extremely problematic.
Personality disorders: extreme degrees.
Cluster A: "odd" personality disorders includes: - ANSWER-Paranoid personality
disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder. (closest to schizophrenia)
People with these disorders display behaviors similar to, but not as extensive as,
schizophrenia.
Few people with these disorders seek treatment; treatment success is limited.
*people with personality disorders are ego-syntonic: that is just who they are and
they accept that
-only treatment if causing anxiety
Paranoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER-A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness
of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent (APA, 2013).
-Suspects without sufficient basis that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving
him/her.
-Preoccupied with unjustified doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or
associates.
-Reads threatening meaning to benign remarks/event.
-Persistently bears grudges.
-Perceives attacks on his/her character or reputation; likely to react with anger or
counterattack.
Must have 4 or 5 of these symptoms, cause distress, and manifest in more than one
situation to be diagnosed
-Unjustified suspicion about
fidelity of spouse/partner.
,-Limited close relationships.
-Critical of weakness/fault in
others; extremely sensitive
to criticism.
-Excessive jealousy.
-4.4% of U.S. adults affected.
-More common in men.
Whom Do You Distrust? - ANSWER-Although distrust and suspiciousness are the
hallmarks of paranoid personality disorder, even people without this disorder are
often untrusting.
In various surveys, the majority of respondents have said they distrust Internet
information, the mass media (newspapers, TV, and radio), and members of
Congress.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS - ANSWER-Psychodynamic: linked to patterns of
early interactions with demanding parents.
-more specifically distant fathers and overbearing and controlling mothers: no love,
always on the alert
Cognitive-Behavioral: tied to broad maladaptive assumptions.
Biological: genetic causes.
Little systematic research.
-higher rate with first degree relatives
*no real way to explain and treat personality disorders
TREATMENTS FOR PARANOID PERSONALITY DISORDER - ANSWER-
Psychodynamic:
Object Relations
Self Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
Behavioral: reducing anxiety; improving interpersonal problem solving skills.
Cognitive: developing more realistic interpretations of words and actions of others.
Drug Therapy: seems to have limited success.
, Schizoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER-A pervasive pattern of detachment from
social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal
settings (APA, 2013).
Does not desire/enjoy close relationships, including family.
Pleasure in few if any activities; almost always chooses solitary activities.
Little interest in sexual activity with another person.
Indifferent to praise or criticism of others.
Split off from normal social
relations: a "loner".
Emotional coldness,
detachment, or flattened affect:
Seen as flat, humorless, dull.
Present in 3.1% U.S. adults.
Slightly more common in men.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS - ANSWER-Psychodynamic (Object Relations;
Self Therapy): roots in unsatisfied need for human contact.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
Focus on cognitive deficiencies (vague, empty thoughts without much meaning).
Difficulty scanning environment; picking up emotional cues from others.
Cannot respond to emotions.
TREATMENTS FOR SCHIZOID PERSONALITY DISORDER - ANSWER-Unlikely to
seek therapy unless some other disorder makes treatment necessary.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
Behavioral: social skills training; role-play; exposure techniques; homework
assignments. Group therapy.
Cognitive: help clients connect with emotions; keep log of pleasurable experiences.
Drug Therapy: seems to have limited success.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder - ANSWER-A pervasive pattern of social and
interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for,
close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions ad eccentricities
(APA, 2013).
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
Dimensional approach: proposed alternative. - ANSWER-Each specific trait seen as
varying along continuum from non-problematic to extremely problematic.
Personality disorders: extreme degrees.
Cluster A: "odd" personality disorders includes: - ANSWER-Paranoid personality
disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder. (closest to schizophrenia)
People with these disorders display behaviors similar to, but not as extensive as,
schizophrenia.
Few people with these disorders seek treatment; treatment success is limited.
*people with personality disorders are ego-syntonic: that is just who they are and
they accept that
-only treatment if causing anxiety
Paranoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER-A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness
of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent (APA, 2013).
-Suspects without sufficient basis that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving
him/her.
-Preoccupied with unjustified doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or
associates.
-Reads threatening meaning to benign remarks/event.
-Persistently bears grudges.
-Perceives attacks on his/her character or reputation; likely to react with anger or
counterattack.
Must have 4 or 5 of these symptoms, cause distress, and manifest in more than one
situation to be diagnosed
-Unjustified suspicion about
fidelity of spouse/partner.
,-Limited close relationships.
-Critical of weakness/fault in
others; extremely sensitive
to criticism.
-Excessive jealousy.
-4.4% of U.S. adults affected.
-More common in men.
Whom Do You Distrust? - ANSWER-Although distrust and suspiciousness are the
hallmarks of paranoid personality disorder, even people without this disorder are
often untrusting.
In various surveys, the majority of respondents have said they distrust Internet
information, the mass media (newspapers, TV, and radio), and members of
Congress.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS - ANSWER-Psychodynamic: linked to patterns of
early interactions with demanding parents.
-more specifically distant fathers and overbearing and controlling mothers: no love,
always on the alert
Cognitive-Behavioral: tied to broad maladaptive assumptions.
Biological: genetic causes.
Little systematic research.
-higher rate with first degree relatives
*no real way to explain and treat personality disorders
TREATMENTS FOR PARANOID PERSONALITY DISORDER - ANSWER-
Psychodynamic:
Object Relations
Self Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
Behavioral: reducing anxiety; improving interpersonal problem solving skills.
Cognitive: developing more realistic interpretations of words and actions of others.
Drug Therapy: seems to have limited success.
, Schizoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER-A pervasive pattern of detachment from
social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal
settings (APA, 2013).
Does not desire/enjoy close relationships, including family.
Pleasure in few if any activities; almost always chooses solitary activities.
Little interest in sexual activity with another person.
Indifferent to praise or criticism of others.
Split off from normal social
relations: a "loner".
Emotional coldness,
detachment, or flattened affect:
Seen as flat, humorless, dull.
Present in 3.1% U.S. adults.
Slightly more common in men.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS - ANSWER-Psychodynamic (Object Relations;
Self Therapy): roots in unsatisfied need for human contact.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
Focus on cognitive deficiencies (vague, empty thoughts without much meaning).
Difficulty scanning environment; picking up emotional cues from others.
Cannot respond to emotions.
TREATMENTS FOR SCHIZOID PERSONALITY DISORDER - ANSWER-Unlikely to
seek therapy unless some other disorder makes treatment necessary.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
Behavioral: social skills training; role-play; exposure techniques; homework
assignments. Group therapy.
Cognitive: help clients connect with emotions; keep log of pleasurable experiences.
Drug Therapy: seems to have limited success.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder - ANSWER-A pervasive pattern of social and
interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for,
close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions ad eccentricities
(APA, 2013).
