Abnormal Psychology

1. Abnormal Psychology Ch. 13: Personality Disorders

2. Personality Disorders Def.: overly rigid patterns of: Behavior Ways of relating to others Leads to distress and/or functional impairment Onset: usually during adolescence or early adulthood Chronic; stable over time

3. Cluster A Disorders Includes: Paranoid personality disorder Schizoid personality disorder Schizotypal personality disorder Characterized by odd/eccentric behaviors: Problems relating to others Little/no interest in developing relationships with others

4. Paranoid Personality Disorder Characterized by a pattern of distrust and suspiciousness toward other�s and their motives (predominantly a male affliction)

5. Paranoid Personality Disorder People with this disorder: Are reluctant to confide in or become close to others Why? Read demeaning/threatening meanings into benign remarks, events, gestures, etc. Often misinterpret compliments View offers of help as criticism

6. Paranoid Personality Disorder People with this disorder (cont.) Bear grudges May be pathologically jealous Are able to maintain few relationships These people aren�t likely to seek professional help

7. Schizoid Personality Disorder Essential features: Detachment from social relationships Flattened affect (not as severe as in schizophrenia)

8. Schizoid Personality Disorder Individuals with schizoid personality: Appear to lack a desire for intimacy Seem indifferent to developing close relationships Appear to be socially isolated (loners) Generally choose activities/hobbies that they can partake in alone

9. Schizoid Personality Disorder Generally have no close friends/confidants May have little interest in having sexual relations Are indifferent to what others think of them and to the criticism/approval of others Are emotionally �bland�

10. Schizoid Personality Disorder Have difficulty expressing anger, even when provoked React passively to adverse circumstances Usually respond inappropriately to important life events Occupationally, generally work better when their job is one where they are socially isolated

11. Schizotypal Personality Disorder May be a very mild form of schizophrenia Pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by Acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships Cognitive/perceptual distortions-presence/dead Eccentricities of behavior (mannerisms, suspicious, etc.)

12. Schizotypal Personality Disorder Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder: May have �ideas of reference� May believe they have special powers to sense events before they happen; read people�s minds May believe they can magically control others

13. Schizotypal Personality Disorder Are often suspicious; display paranoid ideation (e.g.: others are undermining them at work) Usually don�t display a full range of emotions (makes having social/intimate relationships difficult) Usually feel they �are different/don�t fit in�

14. Cluster B Disorders Includes: Antisocial personality disorder Borderline personality disorder Histrionic personality disorder Narcissistic personality disorder Characterized by excessive, unpredictable or self-centered behavioral patterns Difficulty forming/maintaining relationships

15. Antisocial Personality Disorder(APD) Pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others Central features: deceit and manipulation Perhaps the most serious mental disorder In the past, people with this disorder were referred to as psychopaths or sociopaths

16. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) For a diagnosis to be given, a person must: Be at least 18-years-old Displayed symptoms of conduct disorder prior to age 15. Symptoms of CD include: Aggression to people and animals Destruction of property Deceitfulness or theft Serious violation of rules

17. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) Individuals with APD: May repeatedly perform deviant acts that may result in arrest: Destroying property Harassing others Stealing Pursue illegal occupations

18. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) Disregard others wishes, rights or feelings Frequently deceitful or manipulative in order to gain personal profit or pleasure They may repeatedly: Lie Use an alias Con others Malinger

19. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) They are egocentric Think only of themselves Are insensitive to others, even family members Lack a conscience: seemingly do not have the ability to feel Guilt Anxiety Remorse

20. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) They are impulsive and can be ruthless and aggressive: Do not consider consequences of actions Demonstrate superficial charm: Can read people�s weaknesses and needs; manipulate the person to get what they want

21. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) They tend to be irritable and aggressive May repeatedly get into fights/commit acts of physical assault (e.g.: spousal/child beating) Tend to be consistently and extremely irresponsible They tend to rationalize their behavior: They deserved what I did to them, they are stupid, that�s how life is sometimes, etc.

22. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) Pattern of unstable Relationships Emotions Self-image Act impulsively Diagnosed primarily in females (75% of cases)

23. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) Individuals with BPD: Fear abandonment (real or imagined) Abandonment = they are bad Separation/rejection can lead to changes in self-image, behavior, cognition and affect Stems from an intolerance of being alone and a need to be with others Efforts to avoid abandonment include self-mutilation and threats of suicide

24. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) Pattern of unstable/intense relationships: May fall in love during first or second date Expect to spend almost all their time together Mood shifts from ideation to devaluing if They believe the other person doesn�t care about them They believe the other person is neglecting the relationship

25. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) Often display an unstable self-image (sense of being bad/evil) Are often impulsive and may have sudden changes in Opinions Sexual identity Values Friends

26. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) They may be needy or act on own to avenge past injustices (perceived or real) Display suicidal/self-mutilating behaviors Suicide occurs in 8-10% of BPD population Suicide attempts and self-mutilating behaviors (e.g.: cutting or burning oneself) are common

27. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) Often demonstrate inappropriate, intense anger/difficulty controlling their anger. Anger is elicited when another is seen as uncaring, neglectful, withholding or leaving Extreme sarcasm Long-lasting bitterness Verbal outbursts

28. Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD) BPD individuals tend to have childhood histories of Physical and sexual abuse Neglect Early parental loss or separation

29. Histrionic Personality Disorder(HPD) Essential features: excessive emotions and attention-seeking behavior Feel uncomfortable or unappreciated if they aren�t the center of attention: If not the center of attention, will do something to draw attention to themselves

30. Histrionic Personality Disorder(HPD) Their appearance/behavior is often sexually provocative/seductive and occurs in a variety of contexts: Social Professional Occupational

31. Histrionic Personality Disorder(HPD) Tend to have strong opinions But no facts or details to support their opinions They tend to be overly dramatic and display exaggerated emotions (appear to be faking) Anger easily Cry easily Hug/kiss people they barely know

32. Histrionic Personality Disorder Individuals with HPD are highly suggestible Opinions easily influenced by people or fads Adopt beliefs quickly Tend to believe relationships are more intimate than they really are

33. Histrionic Personality Disorder Interpersonal relationship issues: Unconsciously attempt to control a relationship via seduction/manipulation while also being very dependent/needy Same-sex friendships often suffer May alienate friends because of constant attention-seeking behaviors Intimate relationships suffer � need excitement

34. Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIoGtx6k80k Pattern of behavior characterized by Inflated (grandiose) sense of self Need for admiration Lack of empathy 50-75% are male

35. Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD) Inflated sense of self: Believe themselves to be very important Overestimate their abilities Inflate their accomplishments; underestimate the contribution of others Assume others see them as being important

36. Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD) Believe they are superior, special or unique and expect others to treat them as such Believe they should only associate with people of similar attributes As a result of the above, they may attribute special characteristics to their associates

37. Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD) Form friendships/relationships if it serves their purpose or enhances their self-esteem They require excessive admiration; self-esteem is generally quite fragile Expect to be catered to May become puzzled or furious if not given �proper attention� and feel others should defer to them

38. Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD) Generally lack empathy Often show contempt or are impatient when others talk about their own problems/concerns Have difficulty with interpersonal relationships because of Entitlement issues (e.g.: sex is for their pleasure) Constant need for admiration

39. Cluster C Disorders Characterized by anxious and or fearful behaviors Includes: Avoidant personality disorder Dependent personality disorder Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

40. Avoidant Personality Disorder(APD) Characteristics: Social inhibition Feelings of inadequacy Extremely oversensitive to criticism of any kind Equally frequent in males and females

41. Avoidant Personality Disorder(APD) Typically avoid situations that involve interpersonal contact because of fears of Criticism Disapproval of others Rejections Until otherwise proven, people are considered to be critical and disapproving

42. Avoidant Personality Disorder(APD) They: Act with restraint Have difficulty talking about themselves Withhold intimate feelings for fear of being exposed, ridiculed or shamed Won�t make friends unless they are sure they�ll be accepted Tend to by quiet, shy, inhibited & invisible

43. Avoidant Personality Disorder(APD) They tend to view themselves as being Socially inept Personally unappealing Inferior to others May feel that no matter what they do, it will be wrong Fear new situations because they feel inadequate and have low self-esteem

44. Dependent Personality Disorder(DPD) Characteristics: an excessive need to be cared for ? submissive, clingy behavior and fear of separation Most frequently reported personality disorder More frequent in females

45. Dependent Personality Disorder(DPD) Individuals with DPD may: Have great difficulty making decisions, at any level Allow others to make choices for important areas of their life

46. Dependent Personality Disorder(DPD) Because they are afraid of losing the support of others, these individuals Rarely disagree with others Agree with things they believe to be wrong Do not demonstrate appropriate anger Submit to others wants, even if unreasonable May tolerate verbal, physical or sexual abuse

47. Dependent Personality Disorder(DPD) When a close relationship ends (support is gone), these individuals Quickly find another to whom they attach themselves Bottom line: Are pessimistic, full of self-doubt, belittle their abilities and tend to view themselves as being �stupid�

48. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Characterized by a preoccupation with Orderliness Perfectionism Mental and interpersonal control Sacrifice openness, flexibility and efficiency Diagnosed twice as often in males

49. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Individuals with OCPD attempt to maintain control through strict attention to: Rules Trivial details Procedures Lists Schedules

50. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Highly devoted to work and productivity Reluctant to work with others or to delegate If they do delegate, they give detailed instruction on what to do Are surprised/irritated if someone Offers alternatives Doesn�t follow instructions exactly

51. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Put an emphasis on perfection E.g.: Bed sheets have to be folded just right Have a tendency to be inflexible in regard to morality, ethics and values May attempt to force others to follow their rigid moral principles Insist on literal compliance No consideration of extenuating circumstances

52. Theoretical Perspectives Psychodynamic theory: behaviors are result of Problems in �self� development during childhood Lack of praise/attention ? narcissistic personality If, during the oedipal complex, the superego doesn�t form ? antisocial behavior Failure in childhood to understand self and others have good and bad within ?BPD

53. Theoretical Perspectives Learning: Characteristics are learned via observation Overly harsh parenting ? obsession to do things �right� ? OCPD Family perspective �Do what I say� style ? dependent personality Abuse, neglect, lack of nurturing ? BPD & APD

54. Theoretical Perspectives Biological: genetic contribution Esp. for APD, Schizotypal and BPD People with APD Seem to have less physical response to anxiety May have a higher need for stimulation in order to function well People with APD and BPD Dysfunction in brain regions controlling impulsive aggressive behavior and emotional control