30 Questions
What is the estimated incidence of paranoid personality disorder in the general population?
2% to 4%
In which gender is paranoid personality disorder more common?
Males
How do clients with paranoid personality disorder typically respond to stress?
They develop transient psychotic symptoms
How do clients with paranoid personality disorder generally view physical distance from others?
They view it as necessary for their protection
How might clients with paranoid personality disorder behave in a room?
They survey the room and its contents, and appear alert to any impending danger
Which of the following best describes the affect of clients with paranoid personality disorder?
Labile and quickly changing
Which personality disorder involves seeing malevolence where none exists and engaging in excessive analysis of others' behavior and motives?
Paranoid personality disorder
What is a characteristic feature of schizoid personality disorder?
Detachment from social relationships and restricted range of emotional expression
Which personality disorder involves social and interpersonal deficits, cognitive distortions, and behavioral eccentricities?
Schizotypal personality disorder
What is a common behavior in individuals with paranoid personality disorder?
Blaming others for their own difficulties
What is a characteristic of individuals with schizotypal personality disorder?
Odd appearance, unkempt and disheveled, with ill-fitting and dirty clothes
What is a common feature of clients with schizoid personality disorder?
Lack of emotion, even in adverse circumstances
What is a common characteristic of clients with personality disorders?
Exhibiting a restricted range of emotions
Which personality disorder is more prevalent in women and characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and affect?
Borderline personality disorder
What is a common behavior of clients with BPD?
Engaging in deliberate self-harm
Which personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and attention seeking?
Histrionic personality disorder
What is a common challenge when working with clients who have BPD?
Their unpredictable and diverse behaviors
What is a characteristic of clients with personality disorders in relation to employment?
Struggling to maintain employment due to mistrust of others and bizarre thinking
What is a characteristic of avoidant personality disorder?
Pervasive need for social acceptance
What is a common behavior associated with dependent personality disorder?
Fear of being left alone
What is a characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
Preoccupation with orderliness and control
What is a common fear associated with dependent personality disorder?
Fear of separation
What hinders socialization for individuals with avoidant personality disorder?
Avoidance of unfamiliar situations and people
What is a common characteristic of clients with avoidant personality disorder?
Hypersensitivity to negative evaluation
What is a common characteristic of clients with narcissistic personality disorder?
Exaggerating emotions inappropriately
How do clients with narcissistic personality disorder typically view themselves?
Superior and special
What is a common behavior of clients with narcissistic personality disorder in relationships?
Exaggerating the intimacy of relationships
What is a key feature of narcissistic personality disorder?
Lack of empathy
What is a common way for clients with narcissistic personality disorder to seek attention?
Fabricating stories or creating public scenes
What is the most effective treatment for narcissistic personality disorder?
Individual psychotherapy
Study Notes
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Clinical Picture
- Clients with narcissistic personality disorder are overly concerned with impressing others with their appearance and spend excessive time, energy, and money on their looks.
- They are emotionally expressive, gregarious, and effusive, often exaggerating emotions inappropriately and displaying insincere and shallow emotions.
- Clients are self-absorbed, highly suggestible, and uncomfortable when not the center of attention, going to great lengths to gain attention, even fabricating stories or creating public scenes.
- They tend to exaggerate the intimacy of relationships, referring to almost all acquaintances as "dear, dear friends," and may ignore old friends if someone new and interesting is introduced.
- People with whom these clients have relationships often describe being used, manipulated, or exploited shamelessly.
- Clients may have a wide variety of vague physical complaints or relate exaggerated versions of physical illness, usually involving the attention they receive rather than any physiological concern.
- Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, occurring in 1% to 6% of the general population, with 50% to 75% of those diagnosed being men.
- Narcissistic traits are common in adolescence, but not necessarily indicative of the development of a personality disorder in adulthood.
- Individual psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for narcissistic personality disorder, and hospitalization is rare unless comorbid conditions exist.
- Clients with this disorder may display an arrogant or haughty attitude, lack the ability to recognize or empathize with the feelings of others, and express envy and begrudge others any recognition or material success.
- They are often preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love, reinforcing their sense of superiority.
- Clients with narcissistic personality disorder believe themselves to be superior and special, are hypersensitive to criticism, and need constant attention and admiration, often displaying a sense of entitlement and expecting special treatment from others.
Test your knowledge of Narcissistic Personality Disorder with this quiz. Explore the clinical picture and characteristics, including grandiosity, lack of empathy, and the need for admiration. Understand the prevalence and treatment options for this personality disorder.
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