Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders- Axis II
(less serious than Axis I disorders
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Personality disorders – psychological disorders
characterized by inflexible and enduring
behavior patterns that impair social functioning.
Generally less serious than the other
psychological disorders (Axis II)
Types of Personality Disorders
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Cluster A (Odd and Eccentric Cluster)
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, Erratic Cluster)
Cluster C (Anxious and Fearful Cluster)
Odd and Eccentric Cluster
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Paranoid Personality Disorder – patient displays a pattern of
persistent distrust and suspiciousness of others
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Disorder is diagnosed by early adulthood
Patient has the belief that others are out to exploit or harm them without
evidence that this is true
Preoccupied thoughts of others lack of loyalty
Reluctant to confide in others
Disorder may be apparent in childhood and teenage years – social anxiety,
poor school performance, peculiar thoughts and language,
hypersensitivity
More commonly diagnosed in males
Prevalence - .5 – 2.5%
Odd and Eccentric Cluster
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Schizoid Personality Disorder – person is socially withdrawn
and lacks feelings for others
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Lack the desire for intimacy and to develop close relationships
Little satisfaction from social/family gatherings
Choose solitary hobbies where no interaction is required
Patients are not concerned with the acceptance of approval of others
Rarely give facial expressions or gestures (ex. failing to smile at something
funny or nod with approval)
Difficult time expressing anger
Those with schizoid personality disorder do not marry or have close
relationships
Diagnosed slightly more often in males
Dramatic, Emotional, Erratic Cluster
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Antisocial Personality Disorder (formerly called a
psychopath/sociopath) – a personality disorder in which the
person, usually a man, exhibits a lack of conscience for
wrongdoing, even toward family members and friends. Inability
to empathize with others..pattern of violent, criminal,
exploitative or unethical behavior.
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May be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist
Antisocial personality disorder is the most well-known and most important personality
disorder
Begins in childhood and continues into adulthood
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Read about Henry Lee Lucas on page 654 in Myers
Those with APD, have less frontal lobe cognitive functions
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Age 3-6 child is impulsive, uninhabited, unconcerned with social rewards,
displays low anxiety levels.
Lack of planning, organizing and inhibition
3% of men and 1% of women in the US are diagnosed with APD
Charles Manson interview in San Quentin Prison - YouTube
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Antisocial Personality Disorder - The Low-Level
Psychopath (Direct Action & Less Manipulative)
– YouTube
Dramatic, Emotional, Erratic Cluster
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Borderline Personality Disorder – A
personality disorder in which one has an
unstable self image, moods, relationships and
has a fear of abandonment.
Found in about 2% of the general population.
 Diagnose in predominantly women (75%)
 What is Borderline Personality Disorder? (Mental
Health Guru) - YouTube
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Dramatic, Emotional, Erratic Cluster
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Narcissistic Personality Disorder – A
personality disorder in which one
exaggerates self-importance and
achievements and needs constant
admiration. Personality appears exceedingly
arrogant.
 These individuals have the expectation
that others see them as superior or
unique
 These individuals lack empathy.
 Envious of others or believe that others
are envious of them
 Display snobbish or patronizing
attitude. Narcissistic Personality
Disorder; The Social Network
 How To Spot Narcissists On Facebook
Narcissism
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The Female Narcissist - YouTube
Dramatic, Emotional, Erratic Cluster
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Histrionic Personality Disorder – pervasive
and excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
behaviors.
Uncomfortable when they are not the center of
attention
 Appearances is often sexually provocative
 Emotional expression is shallow
 Easily influenced by others and by current fads
 histrionic personality disorder - YouTube
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Anxious and Fearful Cluster
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Avoidant personality disorder – A
personality disorder in which one is
irrationally fearful of rejection leading
to isolation.
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General Population prevalence - .5 –
1%
Often evident in childhood – shyness,
isolation, fear of new situations
Shyness increases during adolescence
Avoidant Personality Disorder YouTube
Anxious and Fearful Cluster
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Dependent Personality Disorder – A
personality disorder in which one has difficulty
making decisions, are passive, dependent and
helpless. These individuals are preoccupied with
the fear of being alone and left to care for
themselves.
This is the most frequently reported personality
disorder
 True Life Im Dependent - YouTube
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Anxious and Fearful Cluster
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Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder – a
preoccupation with orderliness, perfection and control
exist.
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Excessively careful and prone to repetition
So involved in detail, they may not finish a project
Obsessed with work, exclude leisure
Reluctant to delegate tasks
Controlling, inflexible, excessively conscientious
Different from Ob-Com Disorder (where specific obsessions
and compulsions are evident and thus leading to anxiety)
Anxious and Fearful Cluster
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Passive - Aggressive Personality Disorder –
People with this disorder will covertly
(secretively) commit an aggressive act against
others behind their back while smiling and being
friendly in their presence.
VIEW: Featured Article: The PassiveAggressive Personality.
Mother on Everybody Loves Raymond
Passive Aggressive Anger - YouTube