Personality Disorders: Biological and Psychological Factors

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Questions and Answers

Which type of therapy may be used to treat unspecified personality disorder?

Humanistic therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (correct)

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

Psychoanalytic therapy

What is the primary goal of client and family education in treating personality disorders?

To help the client identify troublesome behaviour

To develop impulse control strategies

To educate the client about the disorder (correct)

To improve relationships with family members

What type of medication may be used to treat aggression or psychosis in personality disorders?

Anti-anxiolytics

Mood stabilizers

Antipsychotic drugs (correct)

Antidepressants

Which of the following is NOT a member of a multidisciplinary team?

Neurosurgeon Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of pharmacotherapy in treating personality disorders?

To manage symptoms arising from the disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of managing clients with personality disorders?

Developing a trusting relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of psychotherapy in treating personality disorders?

To change maladaptive behaviours Signup and view all the answers

Which type of personality disorder is often caused by a brain tumour?

Personality Disorders Due To Medical Conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of working with clients with personality disorders?

Helping the client identify triggers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of client motivation in treating personality disorders?

Motivating the client to change Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes Personality Disorders from normal personality traits?

Inflexibility and maladaptability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of individuals with Personality Disorders?

They cannot change but can be treated and motivated Signup and view all the answers

What is the age range when the pattern of Personality Disorders typically emerges?

Adolescence and early adulthood Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary influence on the development of Personality Disorders?

Complex biological and psychosocial occurrences Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of managing clients with Personality Disorders?

To improve their functioning and relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which type of Personality Disorder is characterized by feelings of inadequacy and avoidance of social interactions?

Avoidant Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which type of Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity and need for admiration?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which type of Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of submission and clinginess?

Dependent Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which type of Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of perfectionism and rigidity?

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for Personality Disorders that are caused by underlying medical conditions?

Personality Disorders Due To Medical Conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is NOT associated with Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Humility Signup and view all the answers

A person with Avoidant Personality Disorder is likely to exhibit:

Low levels of energy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of Dependent Personality Disorder?

Passive and submissive behavior Signup and view all the answers

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is characterized by excessive concern with:

Conformity and standards of conscience Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a Personality Disorder due to a Medical Condition?

Personality change due to a head injury Signup and view all the answers

A person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder is likely to exhibit:

Envy and manipulation Signup and view all the answers

Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterized by:

Low levels of energy and lack of enthusiasm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Impulsiveness and self-dramatization Signup and view all the answers

A person with Dependent Personality Disorder is likely to exhibit:

Passive and submissive behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following Personality Disorders is characterized by passive and submissive behavior?

Dependent Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is thought to influence the development of personality disorders?

Genetics Signup and view all the answers

What theory proposes that certain neurotransmitters may regulate and influence personality?

Neurobiological theory Signup and view all the answers

What type of theories emphasize that children develop maladaptive responses based on modeling and reinforcement of important persons in their childhood life?

Learning and cognitive theories Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an environmental factor outside of the family upbringing that shapes an individual's personality?

No two siblings are raised the same way Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk factor for developing personality disorders?

Family history of mental illness Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Envy Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Schizoid Personality Disorder?

Seclusiveness Signup and view all the answers

What type of personality disorder is characterized by excessive self-importance?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is similar to Schizoid Personality Disorder?

Schizotypal Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a risk factor for developing personality disorders?

Stable childhood environment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Factors

Genetics influence the development of personality disorders
Neurobiological factors, such as neurotransmitter imbalance, can regulate and influence personality

Psychological Factors

Learning and cognitive theories suggest that children develop maladaptive responses based on modelling and reinforcement from important persons in their childhood
Family environment and beliefs influence emotional and behavioral responses

Environmental Factors

Family environment influences personality development
Other environmental factors outside of the family, such as no two siblings being raised the same way, also shape an individual's personality

Risk Factors

Family history of personality disorders or other mental illness
Abusive, unstable, or chaotic family life during childhood
Being diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder
Variations in brain chemistry and structure

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Characterized by envy, jealousy, rigidity, blaming others, hypersensitivity, unwarranted suspicion, excessive self-importance, and ascribing evil motives to others

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Characterized by shyness, eccentricity, daydreaming, seclusiveness, oversensitivity, ability to recognize reality, and ability to express hostility and aggression

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Similar to schizoid personality disorder, with features such as brain tumor or unspecified personality disorder

Management

Managed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of social workers, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists
Treatment approaches include psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and client and family education

Psychotherapy

Includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Pharmacotherapy

Treats symptoms arising from the personality disorder, such as aggression, psychosis, anxiety, mood swings, and depression

Client and Family Education

Educates clients and families about the disorder, identifies troublesome behaviors, and assists clients in developing impulse control strategies and alternative behaviors

Objectives

Define personality and personality disorder
State the characteristics of personality disorders
Identify the causes of personality disorders
Identify the ten types of personality disorders
Discuss the management of clients with personality disorders
Create a plan of care for a client diagnosed with a personality disorder

Definitions

Personality is a person's characteristic behavior in response to experiences
Personality disorder results when the behavior interferes with or complicates social and interpersonal function

Characteristics of Personality Disorders

Inflexible and maladaptive ways of relating to and perceiving the world
Affects occupational, personal, and social areas of life
Pattern lasts over a period of time and can be traced to adolescence and early adulthood

Etiology

Complex biological and psychosocial occurrences influenced by many variables, including genetics, neurobiology, chemistry, and environmental factors

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Characterized by conflict with society, disloyalty, selfishness, irresponsibility, impulsiveness, and lack of guilt or ability to learn from experiences

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characterized by instability, chaotic sexuality, self-mutilating behavior, ambivalence, feelings of emptiness and boredom, impulsiveness, suicidal acts, and identity problems

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Characterized by vanity, over reactivity, immaturity, dependency, emotional instability, excitability, low frustration tolerance, and self-dramatization

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Characterized by envy, manipulation, lack of empathy, grandiose feelings, sense of entitlement, and need for attention and admiration

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Characterized by low levels of energy, easily fatigued, lack of enthusiasm, inability to enjoy life, and oversensitivity to stress

Dependent Personality Disorder

Characterized by passive and submissive behavior, uncertainty, and entire dependence on others

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Characterized by excessive concern with conformity, rigidity in performing tasks, over conscientiousness, over inhibition, and inability to relax

Other Personality Disorders

Personality change due to another medical condition
Alterations to a person's personality due to a medical condition

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Description

This quiz covers the biological and psychological factors that contribute to the development of personality disorders, including genetics, neurobiological influences, and learning and cognitive theories.