Personality Disorders Exam Questions
with Complete Solutions
A 36-year-old woman is approached by her new boss, who has noticed that despite
working for her employer for many years, she has not advanced beyond an entry
level position. The boss hears that she is a good employee who works long hours.
The woman explains that she has not asked for a promotion because she knows
she's not as good as other employees and doesn't think she deserves it. She
explains her long hours by saying that she is not very smart and has to check over
all her work, because she's afraid that people will laugh at her if she makes any
mistakes. On reviewing her past evaluations, her boss notes that there are only
minor critiques and her overall evaluations have been very positive. Which of the
following personality disorders would best explain this woman's lack of job
advancement?
A. Narcissistic personality disorder.
B. Avoidant personality disorder.
C. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
D. - ANSWER-Avoidant personality disorder.
Explanation: Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by feelings of
inadequacy, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a need for reassurance. As a result, a
person with avoidant personality disorder tends to be reluctant to take risks or
engage in challenging activities, which results in interpersonal and occupational
impairment. People with narcissistic personality disorder or borderline personality
disorder may also be highly sensitive to criticism, but a key feature of narcissistic
disorder is grandiosity, and that of borderline personality disorder is an unstable self-
image, rather than persistently low self-esteem. Long work hours and rechecking
work can be seen with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, but in that
disorder the cause is a perfectionistic or rigid style of approach, not fear of criticism
or humiliation. People with schizoid personality disorder are generally relatively
indifferent to criticism from others.
A cardiologist requests a psychiatric consultation for her patient, a 46-year-old man,
because even though he is adherent to treatment, she is concerned that he "seems
crazy." On evaluation, the patient makes poor eye contact, tends to ramble, and
makes unusual word choices. He is modestly disheveled and wears clothes with
mismatched colors. He expresses odd beliefs about super- natural phenomena, but
these beliefs do not seem to be of delusional intensity. Collateral information from his
sister elicits the observation that "He's always been like this—weird. He keeps to
himself, and likes it that way." Which of the following conditions best explains this
man's odd behaviors and beliefs?
A. Schizoid personality disorder.
, B. Schizotypal personality disorder.
C. Paranoid personality disorder.
D. Delusional disorder.
E. Schizophrenia. - ANSWER-Schizotypal personality disorder.
Explanation: Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by pervasive social
and interpersonal deficits, which include odd behaviors, odd beliefs and speech, and
social withdrawal. The odd beliefs may include ideas of reference or even paranoid
ideation, but true delusions and hallucinations are not present. Individuals with
schizoid personality disorder or paranoid personality disorder may also be loners,
and either of these disorders may coexist with schizotypal personality disorder.
However, neither of those disorders is characterized by marked oddness or
eccentricity.
Which of the following statements about the development, course, and prognosis of
borderline personality disorder (BPD) is true?
a. The risk of suicide in individuals with BPD increases with age.
b. A childhood history of neglect, rather than abuse, is unusual in individuals with
BPD.
c. Follow-up studies of individuals with BPD identified in outpatient clinics
have shown that 10 years later, as many as half of these individuals no longer meet
full criteria for the disorder.
d. Individuals with BPD have relatively low rates of improvement in social or
occupational functioning.
e. There is little variability in the course of BPD. - ANSWER-Follow-up studies of
individuals with BPD identified in outpatient clinics have shown that 10 years later, as
many as half of these individuals no longer meet full criteria for the disorder.
Explanation: The prognosis for symptomatic improvement in BPD is better than
many clinicians realize, and there is considerable variability in the disorder's course.
Individuals with BPD are at increased risk of suicide, but the risk is greatest during
early adulthood and decreases with age. Also, a majority of individuals with BPD
attain greater stability in their relationships and voca- tional functioning in their 30s
and 40s. Individuals with BPD do have an increased incidence of childhood neglect
as well as an increased incidence of childhood physical and sexual abuse.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of narcissistic personality disorder
(NPD)?
a. Excessive reference to others for self-definition and self-esteem regulation.
b. Impaired ability to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
c. Excessive attempts to attract and be the focus of the attention of others.
d. Persistence at tasks long after the behavior has ceased to be functional or
effective.
e. Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success or power. - ANSWER-
Persistence at tasks long after the behavior has ceased to be functional or effective.
Explanation: Although individuals with NPD and those with obsessive-compulsive
personality disorder (OCPD) may both profess a commitment to perfection,
with Complete Solutions
A 36-year-old woman is approached by her new boss, who has noticed that despite
working for her employer for many years, she has not advanced beyond an entry
level position. The boss hears that she is a good employee who works long hours.
The woman explains that she has not asked for a promotion because she knows
she's not as good as other employees and doesn't think she deserves it. She
explains her long hours by saying that she is not very smart and has to check over
all her work, because she's afraid that people will laugh at her if she makes any
mistakes. On reviewing her past evaluations, her boss notes that there are only
minor critiques and her overall evaluations have been very positive. Which of the
following personality disorders would best explain this woman's lack of job
advancement?
A. Narcissistic personality disorder.
B. Avoidant personality disorder.
C. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
D. - ANSWER-Avoidant personality disorder.
Explanation: Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by feelings of
inadequacy, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a need for reassurance. As a result, a
person with avoidant personality disorder tends to be reluctant to take risks or
engage in challenging activities, which results in interpersonal and occupational
impairment. People with narcissistic personality disorder or borderline personality
disorder may also be highly sensitive to criticism, but a key feature of narcissistic
disorder is grandiosity, and that of borderline personality disorder is an unstable self-
image, rather than persistently low self-esteem. Long work hours and rechecking
work can be seen with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, but in that
disorder the cause is a perfectionistic or rigid style of approach, not fear of criticism
or humiliation. People with schizoid personality disorder are generally relatively
indifferent to criticism from others.
A cardiologist requests a psychiatric consultation for her patient, a 46-year-old man,
because even though he is adherent to treatment, she is concerned that he "seems
crazy." On evaluation, the patient makes poor eye contact, tends to ramble, and
makes unusual word choices. He is modestly disheveled and wears clothes with
mismatched colors. He expresses odd beliefs about super- natural phenomena, but
these beliefs do not seem to be of delusional intensity. Collateral information from his
sister elicits the observation that "He's always been like this—weird. He keeps to
himself, and likes it that way." Which of the following conditions best explains this
man's odd behaviors and beliefs?
A. Schizoid personality disorder.
, B. Schizotypal personality disorder.
C. Paranoid personality disorder.
D. Delusional disorder.
E. Schizophrenia. - ANSWER-Schizotypal personality disorder.
Explanation: Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by pervasive social
and interpersonal deficits, which include odd behaviors, odd beliefs and speech, and
social withdrawal. The odd beliefs may include ideas of reference or even paranoid
ideation, but true delusions and hallucinations are not present. Individuals with
schizoid personality disorder or paranoid personality disorder may also be loners,
and either of these disorders may coexist with schizotypal personality disorder.
However, neither of those disorders is characterized by marked oddness or
eccentricity.
Which of the following statements about the development, course, and prognosis of
borderline personality disorder (BPD) is true?
a. The risk of suicide in individuals with BPD increases with age.
b. A childhood history of neglect, rather than abuse, is unusual in individuals with
BPD.
c. Follow-up studies of individuals with BPD identified in outpatient clinics
have shown that 10 years later, as many as half of these individuals no longer meet
full criteria for the disorder.
d. Individuals with BPD have relatively low rates of improvement in social or
occupational functioning.
e. There is little variability in the course of BPD. - ANSWER-Follow-up studies of
individuals with BPD identified in outpatient clinics have shown that 10 years later, as
many as half of these individuals no longer meet full criteria for the disorder.
Explanation: The prognosis for symptomatic improvement in BPD is better than
many clinicians realize, and there is considerable variability in the disorder's course.
Individuals with BPD are at increased risk of suicide, but the risk is greatest during
early adulthood and decreases with age. Also, a majority of individuals with BPD
attain greater stability in their relationships and voca- tional functioning in their 30s
and 40s. Individuals with BPD do have an increased incidence of childhood neglect
as well as an increased incidence of childhood physical and sexual abuse.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of narcissistic personality disorder
(NPD)?
a. Excessive reference to others for self-definition and self-esteem regulation.
b. Impaired ability to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
c. Excessive attempts to attract and be the focus of the attention of others.
d. Persistence at tasks long after the behavior has ceased to be functional or
effective.
e. Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success or power. - ANSWER-
Persistence at tasks long after the behavior has ceased to be functional or effective.
Explanation: Although individuals with NPD and those with obsessive-compulsive
personality disorder (OCPD) may both profess a commitment to perfection,
