Personality

DISORDERS
 Personality
Disorders
Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of
internal experiences & behavior that are deviant from one’s culture;
pervasive & inflexible; begin in adolescence/ early adulthood; stable
over time and lead to personal distress or discomfort.
To be a disorder, they have to interfere with daily living/normal
functioning.
Three Clusters of Personality
Disorders
Cluster A Personality Disorders
 Cluster A: Odd or
Eccentric

Paranoid Schizotyp
• Irrational fear and distrust of Schizoid • Odd and eccentric behavior,

al
• Lack of interest in social
others; interprets motives of thinking & appearance
relationships and shows very
• Magical thinking (superstitious,
others as malevolent (bad little emotion
• Indifferent to criticism or paranormal experiences)
intent).
praise • Social anxiety, suspicious,
• No psychosis & no loss of
• Lacks social skills and paranoia
touch with reality
understanding of social norms
Cluster B Personality Disorders
 Antisocial
• a persistent pattern of
Cluster B:
disregard for and violation of
the rights and well-being of
Dramatic,
others
• lack of empathy, remorse, Emotional, Erratic
responsibility
Narcissisti
• Exaggerated sense of self-

Borderlin
importance

Histrionic c
• Need for excessive admiration
• Preoccupation with power, success, instability in mood, self-image,

e
• pervasive pattern of excessive or beauty
and interpersonal relationships,
• Sense of entitlement
emotionality and attention-
• Interpersonally exploitative often leading to intense
seeking behaviors.
behavior emotions, impulsivity, and
• dramatic and theatrical displays
• Lack of empathy, arrogant, haughty
to gain attention and validation. • Does not recognize/understand difficulty maintaining stable
• Need for reassurance & feelings of others relationships
approval • Sensitivity to criticism
Cluster C Personality Disorders
Cluster C: Anxious
or
Fearful
Avoidant Obsessive-
• Extreme shyness and social anxiety
• Fear of rejection and criticism
Dependen
• Difficulty making everyday
Compulsive
• Perfectionism
• Feelings of inadequacy and decisions without reassurance • Rigid & stubborn
inferiority
• Avoidance of social situations,
relationships, and activities
t
• Excessive need for advice and
guidance
• Need for orderliness &
control
• Fear of separation and
• Difficulty expressing emotions and • Stingy
abandonment
forming intimate relationships • Strict moral codes
• Submissive and clingy
• Low self-esteem • Can’t delegate - others
• Difficulty expressing disagreement
or asserting oneself won’t do it right
• Feeling helpless and incompetent
 Causes of Personality
• Genetic - there may be a genetic predisposition to developing a personality disorder

Disorders
• Environmental
⚬ Early childhood experiences like abuse, neglect or trauma
⚬ Growing up in a home that is unstable, unpredictable, or lacks support can also
increase the risk.
⚬ Poor attachment.
• Biological - differences in brain structure or functioning
• Cultural - norms and expectations, socialization and parenting styles
• Substance abuse
Good review and examples; worth the
watch!