Personality Disorders

Psychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior

patterns that impair social functioning.

BASIC FACTS

• Approx. 15% of U.S. adults meet criteria for one or more PDs

• Up to 30% of people who require mental health services have at least one PD

• No cure for PDs, but therapy and some forms of medication can aid with symptoms

• Combination of heredity and life experiences appear to play a role in most PDs

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RISK FACTORS

• More women than men develop Borderline PD• More men than women develop Antisocial PD &

Obsessive-Compulsive PD• Other risk factors:

– History of child abuse (verbal, physical, sexual)– Family history of Schizophrenia– Family history of Personality Disorders– Childhood head injury– Unstable, chaotic family life

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RISK FACTORS (cont’d)

• Individuals with PDs have greater risk of the following:– Social Isolation– Suicide– Substance Abuse– Depression, Anxiety, & Eating Disorders– Self-destructive Behavior– Violence & Homicide– Incarceration

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Paranoid Personality Disorder

Distrust / suspicion of others that they have bad intentions or motives

Suspects (w/o sufficient evidence) that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him/her

Reluctant to confide in others due to fear that information will be used against him/her

Persistently holds grudgesHas recurrent suspicions regarding fidelity of

their spouse or partner

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Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Pattern of disregard for and violation of others’ rights– Failure to conform to lawful behaviors– Deceitfulness (i.e. repeated lying,

manipulation)– Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead– Irritability & aggressiveness– Reckless disregard for self or others– Consistent irresponsibility – Lack of remorse

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Borderline Personality Disorder

• characterized by mood instability and poor self-image

People with this disorder are prone to constant mood swings and bouts of anger.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Take their anger out on themselves, causing themselves injury

• Suicidal threats and actions are not uncommon

They are quick to anger when their expectations are not met.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

• constant attention seekers

• They need to be center of attention

• often interrupts others to dominate conversation.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Dress provocatively • Exaggerate illnesses

“Everyone Loves Me”

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

•characterized by self-centeredness

Exaggerate their achievements, expecting others to recognize them as being superior

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Picking about friends

• Not everyone is worthy of being their friend

• Uninterested in the feelings of others and may take advantage of them.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

• Desire social isolation

• Avoid relationships • Do not show much

emotion • Prefer to be alone • Do not wish for

popularity.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

• Tend to seek jobs that require little social contact

• Social skills are weak

• Do not show need for attention/acceptance

• Seen as humorless and distant

• Often are termed "loners."

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

• Need for social isolation

• Odd behavior and thinking

• Believed that schizotypal personality disorder is a mild form of schizophrenia

Dependent personality disorder

• Psychological dependence on other people.

• Experiences difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

• General psychological inflexibility• Strict conformity to rules and

procedures• Perfectionism, excessive orderliness

• People with OCPD tend to stress perfectionism above all else– Can feel anxious when they think things

aren't "right"