Personality Disorders

Personality Disorders Amanda Hamilton, LMSW October, 2013

Table of Contents • Definition of Personality Disorders • Statistical Data • Indicators of a Personality Disorder • DSM IV vs DSM V • Overview of Each Personality Disorder • Treatment of Personality Disorders • Q&A

Personality A set of enduring behavioral and mental traits that distinguish Human beings.

Definition of Personality Disorders • Classes of social disorders characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition and inner experience, exhibited across many contexts and deviating markedly from those accepted by the individual's culture. • Patterns of behavior develop early, are inflexible and are associated with significant distress or disability. • Patterns of behavior impact at least 2 of 4 areas: • Cognition: Ways of perceiving and interpreting self, other people and events. • Affectivity: The range, intensity, lability, and appropriateness of emotional response. • Interpersonal functioning • Impulse control

Statistics • Personality disorders are diagnosed in 40-60% of psychiatric patients. • 9.1% of adults are estimated to have a personality disorder. • 39% of adults with personality disorders are estimated to be receiving treatment. • 2-3% have the more common personality disorders: Schizotypal, Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic. • 0.5-1% have the least common personality disorders: Narcissistic and Avoidant. Tasman, Allan et al (2008). Psychiatry. Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Statistics: Gender Prevalence Tasman, Allan et al (2008). Psychiatry. Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diagnosing • Generally, must individual must be 18 years or older. • Rule-out other causes for the behavior: Substance abuse, organic causes, other diagnoses or medical conditions. • Behaviors are present in a variety of contexts in the individuals life. • DSM IV vs DSM V • DSM IV has Personality Disorders on Axis 2. DSM V combines Axis 1-3. • DSM V shows ICD -9 and ICD-10 coding. ICD-10 is to be implemented beginning October 1, 2014.

Clusters Personality disorders are categorized into three clusters that differentiate them by type. • Cluster A: Odd or eccentric disorders (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal) • Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders (Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic) • Cluster C: Anxious or fearful disorders (Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive)

Cluster A • Odd or eccentric disorders (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal) • May be first apparent in childhood and adolescence (Attract teasing): Poor peer relationships, social anxiety, underachievement, peculiar thoughts and language

Cluster B • Dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders (Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic) • Severity may lessen as the person gets to age 30-40 (Particularly with Borderline and Antisocial PD)

Cluster C • Cluster C: Anxious or fearful disorders (Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive) • May show symptoms in infancy and childhood, but make sure it’s not developmentally appropriate particularly with Dependent PD.

Cluster A: Paranoid 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:

Cluster A: Paranoid • Suspects that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them. • Preoccupied with doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of others. • Reluctant to confide in others because of fear that information will be used against them. • Reads hidden meanings into remarks or events.

Cluster A: Paranoid • Persistently bears grudges. • Perceives attacks on his or her character and is quick to react or counterattack. • Recurrent suspicions regarding fidelity of spouse or partner.

Cluster A: Paranoid Treatment • Reduced levels of trust can hinder rapport building with patient • Psychotherapy • Antidepressants • Antipsychotics • Anti-anxiety medications

Cluster A: Schizoid Pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and 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:

Cluster A: Schizoid • Neither desires or enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family. • Chooses solitary activities. • Little interest in having sexual experiences. • Takes pleasure in few activities.

Cluster A: Schizoid • Lacks close friends or confidants other than immediate family. • Indifferent to praise or criticism of others. • Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flat affect.

Cluster A: Schizoid Treatment • Atypical antipsychotics (Risperidone, etc) are commonly used to treat the negative symptoms such as anhedoniaand blunted affect • Anti-anxiety medications • Antidepressants • Therapy • Socialization groups

Cluster A: Schizotypal Pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with and reduced capacity for close relationships. Cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five or more of the following:

Cluster A: Schizotypal • Ideas of reference. • Odd beliefs or magical thinking that influence behavior. • Usual perceptual experiences. • Suspiciousness or paranoid ideation.

Cluster A: Schizotypal • Inappropriate or constricted affect. • Behavior or appearance that is odd. • Lacks close friends or confidants other than immediate family. • Excessive social anxiety.

Cluster A: Schizotypal Treatment • Atypical antipsychotics • Anti-anxiety medications • Antidepressants • Therapy • Group therapy is recommended only if well structured and supportive. However, may have a lot of difficulty in groups even with high structure if paranoia is high.

Cluster B: Antisocial Pervasive pattern of disregard for and the violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three or more of the following:

Cluster B: Antisocial • Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors. • Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure. • Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead. • Irritability and aggressiveness.

Cluster B: Antisocial • Irritability and aggressiveness. • Reckless disregard for safety of others. • Consistent irresponsibility. • Lack of remorse.

Cluster B: Antisocial Treatment • Difficult to treat due to lack of remorse. • Some studies have shown outpatient treatment not likely to be successful and often has to be forced by parole. • Residential programs that offer carefully controlled environments and supervision along with peer confrontation have been recommended. • Schema Therapy is being investigated as a treatment modality.

Cluster B: Borderline Pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood. Present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by 5 or more of the following:

Cluster B: Borderline • Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. • Pattern of unstable or intense interpersonal relationships. • Identity disturbance. • Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging.

Cluster B: Borderline • Recurrent suicidal behavior or self-mutilation. • Instability due to marked reactivity of mood. • Chronic feelings of emptiness. • Inappropriate intense anger or problems controlling anger. • Stress related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.

Cluster B: Borderline Treatment • Long term therapy (Mentalization Based Treatment, Transference Focused Treatment, Dialectical Behavior Treatment, Schema Therapy) • Medications (Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Anti-anxiety) • Mindfulness meditation • Acute services and hospitalizations

Cluster B: Histrionic Pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts as indicated by 5 or more of the following:

Cluster B: Histrionic • Uncomfortable in situations which they are not the center of attention. • Inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior. • Rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions. • Usage of physical appearance to draw attention.

Cluster B: Histrionic • Speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking detail. • Self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion. • Easily influenced. • Considers relationships more intimate than they really are.

Cluster B: Histrionic Treatment • Treatment often prompted by depression associated with dissolved relationship. • Antidepressants for treatment of depression. • Cognitive therapy.

Cluster B: Narcissistic Pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five or more of the following:

Cluster B: Narcissistic • Grandiose sense of self-importance. • Preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, and ideal love. • Belief he or she is special and should only associate with or be understood by high-status people. • Requires excessive admiration.

Cluster B: Narcissistic • Sense of entitlement. • Interpersonally exploitive. • Lacks empathy. • Envious of others or feels people are envious of them. • Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors, or attitudes.

Cluster B: Narcissistic Treatment • Individual may resist therapy or not go due to unconscious fears of exposure or inadequecy • Schema Therapy • Medication if needed

Cluster C: Avoidant 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:

Cluster C: Avoidant • Avoids occupational activities that involve significant personal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection. • Unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked. • Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed. • Preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations.

Cluster C: Avoidant • Inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy. • Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others. • Unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.

Cluster C: Avoidant Treatment • Social skills training • Cognitive Therapy • Group Therapy • Barrier to therapy is getting gaining individuals trust and keeping it

Cluster C: Dependent 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:

Cluster C: Dependent • Difficulty with making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others. • Needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life. • Difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval. • Difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own.

Cluster C: Dependent • Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant. • Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being able to care for themselves. • Urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends. • Preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself.

Cluster C: Dependent Treatment • Therapy • Medication used with therapy

Cluster C: Obsessive-Compulsive Pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and interpersonal control, at the expense 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:

Cluster C: Obsessive-Compulsive • Preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the point major activity is lost. • Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion. • Excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendship. • Unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value.

Cluster C: Obsessive-Compulsive • Reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things. • Adopts miserly spending style towards self and others. Money is viewed as something to be hoarded. • Shows rigity and stubbornness.

Personality Disorders