Personality Disorders
Personality What is personality? Personality is a unique and long-term pattern of inner experience and outward behavior Personality tends to be consistent and is often described in terms of “traits” These traits may be inherited, learned, or both Personality is also flexible, allowing us to adapt to new environments For those with personality disorders, however, that flexibility is usually missing Slide 2
Personality Disorders What is a personality disorder? A very rigid pattern of inner experience and outward behavior This pattern is seen in most interactions, differs from the experiences and behaviors usually expected, and continues for years Slide 3
Classifying Personality Disorders A personality disorder is diagnosed only when it causes impairments in social or occupational functioning, or when it causes personal distress Personality disorders typically become recognizable in adolescence or early adulthood Generally, the affected person does not regard his or her behavior as undesirable or problematic It has been estimated that 9 to 13% of all adults may have a personality disorder Slide 4
Classifying Personality Disorders Classifying these disorders is difficult because little is known about their origins or development They are diagnosed on Axis II of the DSMIV Slide 5
Classifying Personality Disorders Those diagnosed with personality disorders are often also diagnosed with an Axis I disorder This relationship is called “comorbidity” Axis II disorders may predispose people to develop an Axis I disorder, or Axis I disorders may set the stage for Axis II disorders, or some biological condition may set the stage for both! Whatever the reason, research indicates that the presence of a personality disorder complicates and reduces a person’s chances for a successful recovery Slide 6
Classifying Personality Disorders The DSM-V identifies ten personality disorders and separates these into three categories or “clusters”: Odd or eccentric behavior Paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior Antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders Anxious or fearful behavior Avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders Slide 7
Classifying Personality Disorders The various personality disorders overlap each other so much that it can be difficult to distinguish one from another The frequent lack of agreement between clinicians and diagnosticians has raised concerns about the validity and reliability of these categories Slide 8
“Odd” Personality Disorders The cluster of “odd” personality disorders includes: Paranoid personality disorder Schizoid personality disorder Schizotypal personality disorder Slide 9
“Odd” Personality Disorders People with these disorders display behaviors similar to, but not as extensive as, schizophrenia Behaviors include extreme suspiciousness, social withdrawal, and peculiar ways of thinking and perceiving things Such behaviors leave the person isolated Some clinicians believe that these disorders are actually related to schizophrenia, and thus call them “schizophrenia-spectrum disorders” Slide 10