Week 7 in PSYC 1310 Abnormal Psychology Personality Disorders • Definition of Personality Disorders • Classification of Personality Disorders into Clusters A,B,C • Cluster A • Paranoid Personality Disorder • Schizoid Personality Disorder • Schizotypal Personality Disorder • Cluster B • Antisocial Personality Disorder • Borderline Personality Disorder • Histrionic Personality Disorder • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Personality Disorders Personality Disorders – Overly rigid and maladaptive patterns of behavior and ways of relating to others • About 9% of general population • Fail to see how their behaviors are maladaptive– they do not feel a need for change • Ego syntonic – Behaviors or feelings that are perceived as natural parts of self • Because it affects personality, it affects every aspect of a person’s life • Personality Disorders are chronic, develop in childhood and continue throughout adulthood • Personality Disorders + other psychological problems = difficult to treat Classification of Personality Disorders The DSM groups personality disorders into three clusters: Cluster A • Paranoid • Schizoid • Schizotypal Cluster B • Antisocial • Borderline • Histrionic • Narcissistic Cluster C • Avoidant • Dependent • Obsessive-compulsive • Personality Disorders are understood on a continuum rather than a yes/no diagnosis Paranoid Personality Disorder Paranoid Personality Disorder – A personality disorder characterized by pervasive suspiciousness • Interpret other people’s behavior as deliberately threatening or demeaning • Others perceive them as cold aloof, scheming, devious and humourless • Overly sensitive to criticism, whether real or imagined • Deny any blame • Unlikely to form close relationships, unlikely to seek treatment • About 2.3%–4.4% of general population • Share some patterns of paranoid schizophrenia – but no delusions • More often in men than women Schizoid Personality Disorder Schizoid Personality Disorder – A personality disorder characterized by social isolation • Lack interest in social relationships • Appear distant and aloof • Emotions appear shallow or blunted, but have deep emotions that cannot be expressed with others – sometimes are expressed with animals • Inconsistencies between outer appearance and inner lives • 3.1% - 4.9% of the general population • “Observing” life around them, not participating Schizotypal Personality Disorder Schizotypal Personality Disorder – A personality disorder characterized by eccentricities of thought and behavior, but without clearly psychotic features • Persistent difficulty forming close relationships • Lack a coherent sense of self • Odd beliefs, unusual clothing, ‘magical’ thinking • Share a common genetic basis and brain abnormalities with schizophrenia • About 4.6% of the general population Antisocial Personality Disorder Antisocial Personality Disorder – A personality disorder characterized by antisocial and irresponsible behavior and lack of remorse for misdeeds • Impulsive, superficial charm, low level of anxiety, lack of guilt, punishment has no effect • Older terms psychopath and sociopath • About 2% in women and 6% in men • Diagnosis limited to people 18 years of age or older • Pattern of antisocial behavior begins in childhood or adolescence • Failure to conform to norms or care about the consequences • Includes all racial and ethnic groups but more common among lower socioeconomic Antisocial Behavior and Criminality Antisocial personality disorder associated with an increased risk of criminality, however: • Not all criminals have antisocial personalities • Not all people with antisocial personality disorder become criminals Antisocial personality as two independent dimensions: • Personality dimension – do not become law breakers • Behavioral dimension – frequent problems with law ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY. Serial killer Ted Bundy, shown here shortly before his execution, killed without feeling or remorse but also displayed some of the superficial charm seen in some people with antisocial personality disorder. Key Features of Antisocial Personality Disorder Features Examples Failure to adhere to social rules, social norms, or legal codes Engaging in criminal behavior that may result in arrest, such as destruction of property, engaging in unlawful occupations, stealing, or harassing others Aggressive or hostile behavior Repeatedly getting into physical confrontations and fights with others or assaulting others, even one’s own children or spouse Lack of responsible behavior Failure to maintain regular employment due to chronic absences or lateness or failure to seek gainful employment when it is available; failure to honor financial obligations, such as failing to meet child support responsibilities or defaulting on debts; failure to establish or maintain a stable monogamous relationship Impulsive behavior Acting on impulse and failing to plan ahead or consider consequences; traveling around without any clear employment opportunities or goals Lack of truthfulness Repeatedly lying, conning others, or using aliases for personal gain or pleasure Reckless behavior Taking undue risks to one’s safety or the safety of others, such as by driving at unsafe speeds or driving while intoxicated Lack of remorse for misdeeds Lack of concern or remorse for the harm done to others by one’s behavior, or rationalizing harm to others Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and mood Frequently includes: • Lack of control over impulses • Deep sense of emptiness • Impulsivity • Difficulty regulating negative emotions • Self-injurious behavior • Recurrent suicidal behaviors • Uncertainty about their personal identity • Rapid alterations between idealization and outrage toward others • More often in women than men Splitting – inability to reconcile positive and negative aspects of self and others resulting in sudden shifts between positive and negative feelings Video on Borderline Personality Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Contd’ May engage in impulsive acts of self-mutilation such as cutting: • as a means of temporarily blocking or escaping from deep, emotional pain • as an expression of anger or a means of manipulating others • to counteract self-reported feelings of “numbness” CUTTING. People with borderline personalities may engage in impulsive acts of self-mutilation, such as cutting themselves, perhaps as a means of temporarily blocking or escaping from deep, emotional pain. • Video – Interview with Mary Histrionic Personality Disorder Characterized by excessive emotionality and an overwhelming need to be the center of attention. • Self-centered • Intolerant of delays of gratification, crave novelty, need stimulation • Emotions tend to be: • Dramatic • Shallow • Exaggerated OVER THE TOP? Not all people who dress outrageously or flamboyantly have histrionic personalities. What other personality features characterize people with histrionic personality disorder? Narcissistic Personality Disorder A personality disorder characterized by inflated or grandiose sense of self and an extreme need for admiration • Expect others to notice their special qualities • Self-absorbed • Lack empathy for others • Demand to be center of attention • Inflated view of self • Preoccupied with fantasies of success and power • Extreme sensitivity to criticism • Narcissistic injuries • Next week – Reading week! No Classes! • • • • Week 8 Cluster C Personality Disorders Perspectives of Personality Disorders Treatments of Personality Disorders
