PERSONALITY DISORDERS
 Definition of Personality:
 “The term personality refers to the unique and enduring patterns of inner
experience and behavior displayed by each individual. Usually a personality
is some what unified and integrated, so that an individual acts fairly
consistently at different, in different situations and with different people”.
 Theorists view the enduring consistencies with which we interact with our
surroundings often called personality traits as intrinsic characteristics, learned
responses or a combination of the two (Watson, Clark, & Harkness, 1994).
 Definitions of Personality Disorder:
 A personality disorder is pervasive enduring and inflexible pattern of inner
experience and behavior that deviate markedly from the expectations of one’s
culture and leads to distress or impairment (APA, 1994).
 “Personality disorders are long standing pattern of thoughts, behavior
emotions that are maladaptive for the individual or for people around him or
her”. (Susan & Hocksema, 2001).
 According to DSM IV-TR, personality disorders are enduring pattern of
perceiving, relating to and thing about to environment and oneself that are
exhibited in a wide range of social and personal contexts” and “are inflexible
and maladaptive, and cause significant functional impairment or subjective
distress” (APA, 2000).
 The DSM-IV:
 Personality disorders are chronic; they do not come and go but originate in
childhood and continue throughout adulthood. Because they affect personality;
these chronic problems pervade every aspect of a person life.
 DSM-IV TR devides personality disorder into three group or clusters.
 Personality Disorder Clusters:
 DSM-IV TR distinguishes ten personality disorders and groups them in
three clusters on the basis of descriptive similarities (APA, 2000).
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Odd/Eccentric
Paranoid personality
disorder, schizotypal
personality disorder and
schizoid personality
disorder
Dramatic/Emotional
Borderline personality
disorder, Histrionic
personality disorder,
Narcissistic personality
disorder and antisocial
personality disorder
Anxious/Fearful
Avoidant personality
disorder Dependent
personality disorder.
Obsessive compulsive
disorder
Cluster A:
Cluster A is called the “odd” or “Eccentric” cluster.
This cluster includes.
1.
Paranoid Personality Disorder.
2.
Schizoid Personality Disorder.
3.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder.
Cluster B:
Cluster B characterized by dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior.
This cluster consist of
1.
Antisocial Personality Disorder.
2.
Borderline Personality Disorder.
3.
Histrionic Personality Disorder.
4.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Cluster C:
Cluster C is characterized by fearful or anxious behavior.
This cluster may include the following disorders.
1.
Avoidant Personality Disorder.
2.
Dependent Personality Disorder.
3.
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.
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Table of DSM-IV-TR Personality Disorders
Personality Disorder
Cluster-A—Odd or Eccentric Disorders
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder
Description
A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of such that
their motives are interpreted as malevolent.
A pervasive pattern of detachment from social
relationships and a restricted range of expression of
emotions in interpersonal settings.
A pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal
deficits marked by acute discomfort with reduced
capacity for close relationships as well as by
cognitive
or
perceptual
distortions
and
eccentricities of behavior.
Cluster B- Dramatic, Emotional, or
Erratic Disorders
Antisocial personality disorder
A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation
of the nights of others.
Borderline personality disorder
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal
relationships, self-image, affects, and control over
impulses.
Histrionic personality disorder
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionally and
attention seeking.
Narcissistic personality disorder
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or
behavior), need for admiration, and lack of
empathy.
Cluster C-Anxious or Fearful Disorders
Avoidant personality disorder
A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feeling of
inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative
evaluation.
Dependent personality disorder
A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of
which leads to submissive and clinging behavior
and fears of separation.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with
orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and
interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility,
openness, and efficiency.
Cluster A Disorders
The odd-eccentric personality disorder
Many researchers consider this group of personality disorder to be part of the
“schizophrenia spectrum”. That is, these may be the precursors to schizophrenia.
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A - 1. Paranoid Personality Disorder:
 The defining feature of paranoid personality disorder is a pervasive and
unwarranted mistrust of others. People with this disorder deeply believe
that others people are chronically trying to deceive them or to exploit
them. They are preoccupied with concerns about the loyalty and
trustworthiness of others. They are sensitive to criticism or potential
criticism.
 Clinical Description:
 The hallmark feature of this disorder is unjustifiable distrust. Certainly
there may be a time when someone is deceitful and “out to get you”.
However people with paranoid personality disorder are suspicious in
situations where most other people would agree their suspicions are
unfounded. Even events that have nothing to do with them are interpreted
as personal attacks. These people would view a neighbor’s barking dog or
a delayed airline flight as deliberate attempt to annoy them. Unfortunately,
such mistrust often extends to people close to them and makes meaningful
relationships very difficult.
 People with paranoid personality disorder may be argumentative, may
complain too much or may be quite, but they are obviously hostile towards
others.
 They often appear tense and are “ready to pounce” when they think
they have been slighted by someone”.
 DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Paranoid Personality Disorder:
 A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are
interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a
variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:







Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or
deceiving him or her.
Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness
of friends or associates.
Is reluctant to confide in other because of unwarranted fear that the
information will be used maliciously against him or her.
Read hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or
events.
Persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or
slights.
Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent
to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.
Has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse
or sexual partner.
 Prevalence:

Between 0.5 and 5% of people in general population can be diagnosed
with paranoid personality disorder. Among people given treatment for the
disorder, males outnumber females three to one.
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A -2: Schizotypal Personality Disorder:
Like persons with schizoid personality disorder, persons with schizotypal
personality disorder tend to be socially isolated, have a restricted range of emotions
and are uncomfortable in interpersonal interactions.
 As children, people who develop schizotpyal personality disorder are passive
and socially unengaged and hypersensitive to criticism.
 The distinguishing characteristics of schizotypal personality disorder are the
oddities in cognition, which generally fall into four categories.
o The first in paranoia or suspiciousness. Much like people with
paranoid personality disorder, people with schizotypal personality
disorder perceive other people as deceitful and hostile, and much of
their social anxiety emerges from this paranoia.
o The second category of thought is ideas of reference. People with
schizotypal personality disorder tend to believe that random events or
circumstances are related to them. For example they may think it is
highly significant that a fire occurred in a store in which they had
shopped only yesterday.
o The third type of odd cognition is odd belief and magical thinking. For
example, they may believe that others know what they are thinking.
The fourth category of thought is illusions that are just short of
hallucinations. For example they may think they see people in the
patterns of wallpaper.
Clinical Description:

People given a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder are often considered
“odd” or “bizarre” because of how they relate to other people, how they think and
behave and even how they dress.



They have ideas of reference, which means they think insignificant events
relate directly to them. For example, they may believe that somehow
everyone on a passing city bus is talking about them, yet they may be able to
acknowledge this is unlikely.
Individual with schizotypal personality disorder also have odd beliefs or energy in
“magical thinking” believing, for example, that they are telepathic.
Clinicians have to be warned that different cultural beliefs or practices may lead to
a mistaken diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. For example, some
people who practice certain religious ritual. Such as speaking in tongues,
practicing voodoo or mind reading may do so with such obsessiveness as to make
them seem extremely unusual, thus leading to misdiagnosis. Mental health
workers to be particularly sensitive to cultural practices that may differ from their
own and can distort their view of certain seemingly unusual behaviors.
DSM-IV TR Diagnostic Criteria for Schizotypal Personality Disorder:
A. A pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute
discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships as well as by
cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior, early
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adulthood and presently in variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more)
of the following:
1. Ideas of reference
2. Odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent
with subculture norms (e.g., superstitiousness, belief in clairvoyance,
telepathy, or “sixth sense”; in children and adolescents, bizarre fantasies or
preoccupations)
3. Odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, circumstantial, metaphorical,
overelaborate, or stereotyped)
4. Suspiciousness or paranoid ideation.
5. Inappropriate or constricted affect
6. Behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar.
7. Lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
8. Excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tends to
be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgements about self.
Source: DSM-IV-TR APA, 2000.
Prevalence:
Between 0.6 and 5.1 percent of people will be diagnosed with schizotypal
personality disorder at sometime in their lives.
Among people seeking treatment, it is over twice as commonly diagnosed in
males as in females.
A – 3: Schizoid Personality Disorder:
The defining characteristic of schizoid personality disorder is a severely
restricted range of emotions that is most notably associated with social detachment.
People with schizoid personality disorder lack any desire to form interpersonal
relationships and are emotionally cold in interactions with others. They seem aloof,
humorless and indifferent to other people.
Clinical Description:
Individuals with schizoid personality disorder seem neither to desire nor enjoy
closeness with others, including romantic or sexual relationships. As a result they
appear cold and detached and do not seem affected by praise and criticism.
One of the changes in DSM-TR from previous versions in the recognition that at least
some people with schizoid personality disorder are sensitive to the opinions and are
unwilling to express this emotion. For them social isolation may be extremely painful.
The social deficiencies of people with schizoid personality disorder are similar to
those of people with paranoid personality disorder, although they are more extreme.
As A.T Beck and Freeman (1996) put it, they consider themselves to be observers
rather than participants in the world around them”.
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They do not seem to have the very unusual thought processes that characterized the
other disorders in cluster A. For example, people with paranoid and schizotypal
personality disorder often have ideas of reference, mistaken beliefs that meaningless
events relate just to them. In contrast, those with schizoid Personality disorder share
the social isolation poor rapport, and constricted affect (showing neither positive nor
negative emotions) seen in people with paranoid personality disorder.
Because of their self absorption, schizoid personalities may appear absentminded “out
of it” so to speak. However they do not show the unusual thoughts, behaviors or
speech patterns seen in the schizotypal personality and unlike schizotypal
personalities they may be quite successful in their work if it requires little social
contact.
DSM-IV TR Diagnostic Criteria for Schizoid Personality Disorder:
A.
A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted
range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings, beginning by early
adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more)
of the following:
1.
Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a
family.
2.
Almost always chooses solitary activities.
3.
Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another
person.
4.
Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities
5.
Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
6.
Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others.
7.
Shows emotional coldness, detachment or flattened affectivity.
Prevalence:



Schizoid personality disorder is quite rare, with about 0.4 to 1.7% of adult
manifesting the disorder.
Among schizoid persons seeking clinical treatment males outnumber females
about three to one.
Schizoid person can function in society, particularly in occupation that do not
require interpersonal interactions.
Cluster B Disorder:
The Dramatic/Erratic Emotional Personality Disorder
People with the dramatic emotional personality disorders tend to engage in behaviors
that are dramatic and impulsive and often show little regard for their own safety or the
safety of others.
Their behaviors may either harm themselves or others. For example they may engage
in suicidal behaviors or self damaging acts such as self cutting. They may also act in
hostile and even violent, ways against others.
One of core features of this group of disorders is a lack of real concern for others.
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Two of the disorders in this cluster, Antisocial personality disorder ad
borderline personality disorder, have been the focus of a great deal of research,
whereas the other two, narcissistic personality disorder and histrionic personality
disorder, have not.
B: 1 - Antisocial Personality Disorder:
 People with antisocial personality disorder are among the most dramatic of
individuals, a clinician will see in practice and are characterized as having
a history of failing to comply with social norms.
 They perform actions most of us would find unacceptable, such as stealing
from friends and family.
 They also tend to be irresponsible, impulsive and deceitful.
Clinical Description:
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder tend to have long histories of violating
the right of the others.
They are often described as being aggressive because they take what they want,
indifferent to the concerns of other people.
Lying and cheating seem to be second nature to them, and often they appear unable to
tell the difference between the truth and the lies they make up to further their own
goals. They show no remorse or concern over the sometimes devastating effects of
their actions.
DSM-IV-TR’s Diagnostic Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder:
A.
There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of
others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the
following:
1.
Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.
2.
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
3.
Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights
or assaults.
4.
Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.
5.
Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain
consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.
6.
Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing
having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA. 2000.
Prevalence
Antisocial personality disorder is one of the most common personality
disorders, with between 2.3% and 3.3% of the population being diagnosed with the
disorder.
Men are five times more likely then women to be diagnosed with this disorder.
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B: 2 - Borderline Personality Disorder:
People with borderline personality disorder lead tumultuous lives. Their mood and
relationships are unstable, and usually they have a very poor self image.
These people often feel empty and are at great risk of dying by their own hands.
Clinical Description:
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most common personality
disorder in psychiatric settings, it accounts for about 15% of the population and about
50% of the patient with personality disorders.
Their symptoms may include.
 Instability in mood
 They tend to have very turbulent relationship fearing abandonment but lacking
control over their emotions.
 They frequently engage in suicidal and self mutilative behaviors, cutting or
burning or punching themselves, a significant proportion about 6% succeed at
suicide people with this personality disorder are usually often intense, going
from anger to deep depression in a short time.
 They also are characterized by impulsivity, which can be seen in their drug
abuse and self-mutilation.
 Empty feelings are also common; these people are sometimes described as
chronically bored and have difficulties with their own identities.
 The core features of this disorder are impulsivity and instability of
relationships, mood and self image as told earlier.
 Emotions are erratic and can shift abruptly. Particularly from passionate
idealization to contemptuous anger.
 Patients with borderline personality disorder are argumentative, irritable,
sarcastic, quick to take offense and altogether very hard to live with.
 Their unpredictable and impulsive behavior, which may include gambling,
spending, indiscriminate sexual activity, and eating sprees, is potentially
self damaging.
DSM IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder:
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and
affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood as indicated by five (or
more) of the following:
1.
Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
2.
A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by
alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3.
Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of
self.
4.
Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g.,
spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).
5.
`Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
6.
Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood
7.
Chronic feelings of emptiness
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8.
Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent
displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
9.
Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000.
Prevalence:
Studies suggest that between 1 to 2% of the population develops borderline
personality in their lives.
In clinical setting, borderline personality disorder is much more often
diagnosed in women then men.
B – 3 Histrionic Personality Disorder:
Individuals with histrionic personality disorder tend to be overly dramatic and
often seem almost to be acting, which is why the term histrionic, which means
theatrical in manner, is used.
The essential features of historic personality disorder are self dramatization the
exaggerated display of emotion. Such emotional displays are often clearly
manipulative, aimed at attracting attention and sympathy.
People with histrionic personality disorder always want to be the center of
attention. They pursue other’s attention by being highly dramatic, being overly
seductive and emphasizing the positive qualities of their physical appearance.
They tend to speak of global terms others see them as self centered and
shallow unable to delay gratification, demanding and overly dependent.
Clinical Description:
People with historic personality disorder are inclined to express their emotions
in exaggerated fashion, for example, hugging someone they have just met or crying
uncontrollably during a sad movie.
 They also tend to be vain and self centered and uncomfortable when they are
not in the limelight.
 They are often seductive in appearance and behavior and they are typically
very concerned about their looks.
 In addition they seek reassurance and approval constantly and may become
upset or angry with others do not attend to them or praise them.
 People with histrionic personality disorder also tend to be impulsive and have
great difficulty delaying gratification.
DSM- IV TR Diagnostic Criteria for Histrionic Personality:
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by
early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of
the following:
1.
Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention.
2.
Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually
seductive or provocative behavior.
3.
Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions.
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4.
5.
6.
Consistently uses physically appearance to draw attention to self
Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail.
Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of
emotion
7.
Is suggestible, i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances.
8.
Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000.
B: 4 Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
Narcissistic personality disorder is defined as grandiose sense of self
importance, often combined with periodic feelings of inferiority.
The term Narcissistic Personality Disorder came from ancient Greek legend of
Narcissus, a handsome boy who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.
Narcissistic personalities brag of their talents and achievements, predict for
themselves great success. However this apparent self love is often accompanied by a
very fragile self-esteem causing the person to check constantly on how he or she is
regarded by other and to react to criticism with rage and despair.
Psychoanalysts, including Sigmund Freud, use the term narcissistic to describe
people who show an exaggerated sense of self importance and are preoccupied with
receiving attention.
Clinical Description:
 People with narcissistic personality disorder have an unreasonable sense of
self importance and are so preoccupied with themselves that they lack
sensitivity and compassion for other people.
 They are not comfortable unless someone is admiring them.
 Their exaggerated feelings and their fantasies of greatness called grandiosity,
create a number of attributions.
 They require and expect a great deal of special attention-the best table in
restaurant, the illegal parking space in front of the movie space.
 They also tend to use of exploit others for their own interests and show little
empathy.
 When confronted with other successful people they can be extremely envious
and arrogant. And because they often fail to live up to their own expectations,
they are frequently depressed.
 Narcissistic personalities are poorly equipped for friendship or love. They
characteristically demand a great deal from others—affection, sympathy
favors—yet they give little in return and tend to show a striking lack of
empathy. If a friend calls to say that he has had automobile accident and can
not go to the party that might, the narcissistic personality is likely to be more
concerned over the missed party that over the friend well being.
 Narcissistic personality disorder resembles histrionic personality disorder.
Some theorists have even suggested that they are simply the masculine
(narcissistic) and feminine (Histrionic) versions of a common underlying
traits. They are preoccupied with thoughts of their own self importance and
with fantasies of power and success and view themselves as above most
others.
DSM IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
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A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration and
lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as
indicated by (or more) of the following:
1.
Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and
talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate
achievements)
2.
Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty,
or ideal love.
3.
Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by,
or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4.
Requests excessive admiration.
5.
Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially
favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations.
6.
Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or
her own ends.
7.
Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and
needs of others.
8.
Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
9.
Shows arrogant, haughty behavior or attitudes
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000.
Cluster C:
Anxious- fearful personality disorder
The anxious fearful personality disorders comprise three personality disorders.
 Avoidant personality disorder.
 Dependent personality disorder.
 Obsessive compulsive personality disorder.
There are all characterized by a chronic sense of anxiety or fearfulness and
behaviors intendeds to ward off feared situations. What is feared is different in
each of the three disorders are nervous, worried and not terribly happy.
C – 1 Avoidant Personality Disorder:
“Pervasive anxiety, sense of inadequacy, fear of being criticized, which leads to
avoidance of social interactions and nervousness”.
The diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder applies to people who are
keenly sensitive to the possibility of criticism, rejection or disapproval and are
therefore reluctant to enter a relationship unless they are sure, they will be liked.
They may even avoid employment that entails a lot of interpersonal contact.
“Pervasive anxiety, sense of inadequacy, fear of being criticized, which leads
to avoidance of social interactions and nervousness”.
DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Avoidant Personality Disorder
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A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity
to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of
contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
1.
Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact,
because of fears of critics, disapproval, or rejection.
2.
Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked.
3.
Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being
shamed or ridiculed.
4.
Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations.
5.
Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy.
6.
Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or feelings of
inadequacy.
7.
Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities
because they may prove embarrassing.
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000.
C – 2 Dependent Personality:
Pervasive selflessness, need to be cared for, fear of rejection, leading to total
dependence on and submission to others.
People with dependent personality disorder are also anxious about
interpersonal interactions, but their anxiety stems from a deep need to be cared for by
others rather than a concern that they will be criticized.
People with this personality disorder can not make decisions for them and do
not initiate new activities except in effort to please others dependent personality can
only function within relationship. They deeply fear rejections and abandonment and
may allow themselves to be exploited and abuse rather them lose relationship.
Clinical Description:
Individual with dependent personality disorder sometimes agree with other
people when their own opinion differs, so as not to be rejected.
Their desire to obtain and maintain supportive and nurturing relationship may
lead to their other behavioral characteristics, including submissiveness, timidity and
passivity.
DSM-IV-TR’s Diagnostic Criteria for Dependent Personality Disorder:
A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and
clinging behavior and fears of separation, beginning by early adulthood and present in
a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1.
Has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of
advice and reassurance from others.
2.
Needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life.
3.
Has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of
support or approval. Note: Do not include realistic fears of retribution.
4.
Has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of
a lack of self-confidence in judgment or abilities rather than a lack of
motivation or energy)
5.
Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others to the
point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant.
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6.
Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of
being unable to care for himself or herself.
7.
Urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a
close relationship ends.
8.
In unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or
herself.
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000
C – 3 Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder:
Pervasive rigidity in one’s activities and interpersonal relationship, including
emotional construction, extreme perfectionism and anxiety about even minor
disruptions in ones routine.
Clinical Description:
The obsessive compulsive personality is a perfectionist preoccupied with
details, rules, schedules and the like.
These people often pay so much attention to detail that they never finish
project.
They are work oriented rather than pleasure oriented and have inordinate
difficulty making decisions (lest they err) and allocating time (lest they focus on
wrong thing).
Their interpersonal are relationship often poor because they are stubborn and
demand that every thing be done in their way.
“Control freak” is a popular term for these people.
They are generally serious, rigid, formal and inflexible especially moral
issues.
They are unable to discard useless objects even thought no sentimental value.
A dysfunctional attention to work and productivity is found more often in men
then women.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is quite different from obsessive compulsive
personality disorder. It does not include obsession and compulsions.
DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder:
A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and
interpersonal control, at the expenses of flexibility, openness, and efficiency,
beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four
(or more) of the following:
1.
Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the
extent that the major point of the activity is lost.
2.
Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to
complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met)
3.
Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure
activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity).
4.
Is over conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality,
ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)
5.
Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no
sentimental value.
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6.
Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to
exactly his or her way of doing things.
7.
Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed
as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes.
8.
Shows rigidity and stubbornness.
Source: DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000.
References
Alloy, B. L; Jacobson, S, N & Acocella, J. (1999). Abnormal Psychology (8th
edition). United States of America, McGraw-Hill Companies.
Carson, C. R; Butcher, J. N & Coleman, J. C (1988). Abnormal Psychology and
Modern Life. (8th ed). U.S.A, Foreman & Company.
Comer, J.R., (1999). “Abnormal psychology” New York, W.H.freeman & co.
Davison, G.C., & Neale, J.M.(1994). Abnormal psychology (7th edition). New York
John Wiley and Sons Inc
Diagnostic and statistical manual”.(4th ed).published by American psychiatric
Association, Washington D.C.
Susan, N & Hoeksema (2001). Abnormal Psychology. (2nd ed). United States,
McGraw-Hill Companies
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