Personality Disorders Exam 3
Questions and Answers
what are the treatment options for Cluster A: Paranoid Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--typically do not see themselves as needing help
-few come to treatment willingly and often distrust and rebel against their therapist
-therapy has limited effect and moves slowly
-behavioral and cognitive therapists try to help clients control anxiety and improve
interpersonal relationships and try to restructure clients' maladaptive assumptions
and interpretations
-drug therapy is of limited help
what are the characteristics of Cluster A: Schizoid Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--characterized by persistent avoidance of social relationships and limited
emotional expression
-presence of four or more of the following signs of interpersonal detachment and
restricted emotions from early childhood
-usually work in low level jobs & never marry
what are the treatments for Cluster A: Schizoid Personality Disorder? - ANSWER--
the extreme social withdrawal prevents most people from entering therapy unless
some other disorder makes treatment necessary; even in treatment, likely to remain
emotionally distant from their therapist & seem not to care
-cognitive behavioral therapists try to emphasize thinking about emotions & teaching
social skills
-group therapy has been useful in offering a safe environment for social contact
-drug therapy is of little benefit
what are the characteristics of Cluster A: Schizotypal Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--a watered down version of schizophrenia in many ways
-range of interpersonal problems, marked by extreme discomfort in close
relationships, odd (even bizarre) ways of thinking, and behavioral eccentricities
-unusual and eccentric thoughts and behaviors (psychoticism), interpersonal
detachment and suspiciousness
-odd beliefs or magical thinking (telepathic, clairvoyant, ideas of reference)
-illusions: feels the presence of a force or person who is not actually present
-odd \ eccentric behavior or appearance (wears strange clothes, talks to self)
-affect is flat; aloof from others
what are the treatment options for Cluster A: Schizotypal Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--therapy is as difficult as with cases of paranoid and schizoid personality
disorders
-most therapists agree on the need to help clients "reconnect" and recognize the
limits of their thinking and "powers"
, -cognitive behavioral therapists try to teach clients to objectively evaluate their
thoughts and perceptions and provide speech lessons and social skills training
-antipsychotic drugs seem to be somewhat helpful in reducing certain thought
problems
what are the diagnosis types for Cluster B personality disorders? - ANSWER-1.
Antisocial
-disregard for the rights of others
-violation of the rights of others
2. Borderline
-instability of interpersonal relationships
-instability of self image
-instability of affects (emotions)
-marked impulsivity
3. Histrionic
-excessive emotionality
-attention seeking
4. Narcissitic
-grandiosity in fantasy \ behavior
-need for admiration
-lack of empathy
what are the characteristics of Cluster B: Antisocial Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--sometimes described as "psychopaths" or "sociopaths"; people with
antisocial personality disorder persistently disregard and violate others' rights
-DSM-5
a. a history of illegal or socially disapproved activity beginning before age 15 and
continuing into adulthood
b. failure to show consistency and responsibility in work, sexual relationships,
parenthood, or financial obligations
c. irritability and aggressiveness
d. reckless and impulsive behavior
d. disregard for the truth
what are the treatment options for Cluster B: Antisocial Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--treatments are typically ineffective
-a major obstacle is the individual's lack of conscience or desire to change, most are
forced to go to treatment
-some cognitive therapists try to guide clients to think about moral issues and the
needs of other people
-atypical antipsychotic drugs have also been tried but systematic studies are still
needed
what are the characteristics of Cluster B: Borderline Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--people with this disorder display great instability, including major shifts in
mood, an unstable self image, and impulsivity
-their impulsive, self destructive behavior can include:
a. alcohol and substance abuse
b. reckless behavior
c. self-injuries or self mutilation
Questions and Answers
what are the treatment options for Cluster A: Paranoid Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--typically do not see themselves as needing help
-few come to treatment willingly and often distrust and rebel against their therapist
-therapy has limited effect and moves slowly
-behavioral and cognitive therapists try to help clients control anxiety and improve
interpersonal relationships and try to restructure clients' maladaptive assumptions
and interpretations
-drug therapy is of limited help
what are the characteristics of Cluster A: Schizoid Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--characterized by persistent avoidance of social relationships and limited
emotional expression
-presence of four or more of the following signs of interpersonal detachment and
restricted emotions from early childhood
-usually work in low level jobs & never marry
what are the treatments for Cluster A: Schizoid Personality Disorder? - ANSWER--
the extreme social withdrawal prevents most people from entering therapy unless
some other disorder makes treatment necessary; even in treatment, likely to remain
emotionally distant from their therapist & seem not to care
-cognitive behavioral therapists try to emphasize thinking about emotions & teaching
social skills
-group therapy has been useful in offering a safe environment for social contact
-drug therapy is of little benefit
what are the characteristics of Cluster A: Schizotypal Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--a watered down version of schizophrenia in many ways
-range of interpersonal problems, marked by extreme discomfort in close
relationships, odd (even bizarre) ways of thinking, and behavioral eccentricities
-unusual and eccentric thoughts and behaviors (psychoticism), interpersonal
detachment and suspiciousness
-odd beliefs or magical thinking (telepathic, clairvoyant, ideas of reference)
-illusions: feels the presence of a force or person who is not actually present
-odd \ eccentric behavior or appearance (wears strange clothes, talks to self)
-affect is flat; aloof from others
what are the treatment options for Cluster A: Schizotypal Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--therapy is as difficult as with cases of paranoid and schizoid personality
disorders
-most therapists agree on the need to help clients "reconnect" and recognize the
limits of their thinking and "powers"
, -cognitive behavioral therapists try to teach clients to objectively evaluate their
thoughts and perceptions and provide speech lessons and social skills training
-antipsychotic drugs seem to be somewhat helpful in reducing certain thought
problems
what are the diagnosis types for Cluster B personality disorders? - ANSWER-1.
Antisocial
-disregard for the rights of others
-violation of the rights of others
2. Borderline
-instability of interpersonal relationships
-instability of self image
-instability of affects (emotions)
-marked impulsivity
3. Histrionic
-excessive emotionality
-attention seeking
4. Narcissitic
-grandiosity in fantasy \ behavior
-need for admiration
-lack of empathy
what are the characteristics of Cluster B: Antisocial Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--sometimes described as "psychopaths" or "sociopaths"; people with
antisocial personality disorder persistently disregard and violate others' rights
-DSM-5
a. a history of illegal or socially disapproved activity beginning before age 15 and
continuing into adulthood
b. failure to show consistency and responsibility in work, sexual relationships,
parenthood, or financial obligations
c. irritability and aggressiveness
d. reckless and impulsive behavior
d. disregard for the truth
what are the treatment options for Cluster B: Antisocial Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--treatments are typically ineffective
-a major obstacle is the individual's lack of conscience or desire to change, most are
forced to go to treatment
-some cognitive therapists try to guide clients to think about moral issues and the
needs of other people
-atypical antipsychotic drugs have also been tried but systematic studies are still
needed
what are the characteristics of Cluster B: Borderline Personality Disorder? -
ANSWER--people with this disorder display great instability, including major shifts in
mood, an unstable self image, and impulsivity
-their impulsive, self destructive behavior can include:
a. alcohol and substance abuse
b. reckless behavior
c. self-injuries or self mutilation
