Personality Disorders Overview

Personality Disorders

• Fear of being alone or abandoned characterizes Avoidant Personality Disorder.
• Excessive concern with physical appearance is associated with Histrionic Personality Disorder.
• Fantasies about power, success, and attractiveness are characteristic of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
• Constant seeking of attention is a hallmark of Histrionic Personality Disorder.
• Unreasonable expectation of constant praise and admiration is a characteristic of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
• Stress-related paranoia that comes and goes is a feature of Paranoid Personality Disorder.

Influences on Personality

• Individual personality is influenced by genetics, environment, and experiences.

Characteristics of Personality Disorders

• The main characteristic of a personality disorder is inflexibility and rigidity.
• A common characteristic of Cluster A personality disorders is odd or eccentric behavior.
• People with Paranoid Personality Disorder typically view others with suspicion and mistrust.

Consequences of Personality Disorders

• A consequence of having a personality disorder is impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of life.
• A person with a personality disorder may not realize they have one due to lack of insight or self-reflection.

Projective Tests

• The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) was developed by Henry Murray in the 1930s.
• The complete version of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) has 31 cards.
• The purpose of the Children's Apperception Test (CAT) is to assess emotional and social functioning in children aged 3 to 10.
• The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) involves showing people a series of ambiguous picture cards.
• The primary purpose of the Bender-Gestalt test is to assess visual-motor skills and cognitive functioning.
• The Children's Apperception Test (CAT) was developed by Leopold Bellak for children aged 3 to 10 years.

Specific Personality Disorders

• Schizoid Personality Disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social or personal relationships and an inability to pick up normal social cues.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder is associated with peculiar dress, thinking, beliefs, and 'magical thinking'.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder features disregard for others' needs, persistent lying, and aggressive behavior.
• Borderline Personality Disorder is known for inappropriate emotional responses, social anxiety, and belief in hidden messages meant only for you.
• Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by overly emotional or unpredictable thinking and behavior.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder involves recurring problems with the law, disregard for safety, and impulsive behavior.

Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test

• The original Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test was developed by Lauretta Bender.
• The standard Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test typically includes 9 figures.
• In the Bender-Gestalt test, a test subject is asked to reproduce the figures from memory.
• The Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test is scored based on the accuracy and quality of the test subject's reproductions.

Sexual Disorders

• Voyeuristic disorder involves being sexually aroused by observing an unsuspecting person naked or engaged in sexual activity.
• Transvestic disorder involves being sexually aroused by wearing clothes of the opposite sex.