Overview of Personality Disorders (Sherpath)
Which patient statements indicate the patient may have narcissistic personality disorder?
"I don't care about your problems." Lacking compassion or being without empathy, as this statement exhibits, is a clinical symptom of narcissistic personality disorder. Individuals with this disorder spend an excessive amount of time thinking about themselves instead of others. "I deserve to get my way because I am better than other people." This statement exhibits arrogance and a belief that the person deserves certain privileges, which are a clinical symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. People with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they are the center of the universe. "If I flatter my boss even though I think he's incompetent, I will get a promotion." Achieving power or success by using others to meet one's own needs, as exhibited by this statement, is a clinical symptom of narcissistic personality disorder.
The nurse is providing teaching to a patient who has a family history of schizophrenia and has been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. Which statement made by the nurse is most appropriate?
"There is research stating that there may be a genetic component to personality disorders, and your sister having schizophrenia elevates your chance of having schizoid personality disorder." Rationale Individuals from families that have a member with either schizotypal personality disorder or schizophrenia have an increased chance of acquiring this personality disorder.
Which clinical manifestations are indicative of histrionic personality disorder?
Displays seductive behavior Displaying seductive behavior is a clinical symptom of histrionic personality disorder because the individual is using seduction as a defense mechanism to avoid dealing with true feelings. Is easily influenced by others Individuals with this disorder are easily influenced by others because they do not have a firm grasp on who they are or what they truly feel. Needs to be center of attention Individuals with this disorder have a constant need to be the center of attention to avoid dealing with their true feelings. Draws attention to self and is dramatic in nature Drawing attention to self and being dramatic in nature are clinical symptoms of histrionic personality disorder used to avoid examining true feelings.
Individuals with Cluster B personality disorders typically exhibit which characteristics?
Emotional and exciting Rationale Individuals with Cluster B personality disorders, such as antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders, exhibit emotional and exciting behaviors.
Which behaviors are clinical symptoms of schizoid personality disorder?
Enjoyment of solitude Enjoying solitude is a clinical symptom of schizoid personality disorder. Individuals with this disorder have a limited range of emotional expression, which makes them awkward around others. Lack of strong emotions Lack of strong emotions is a clinical symptom of schizoid personality disorder. Individuals with this disorder have a limited range of emotional expression, which makes them awkward around others. Lack of engagement with others Lack of engagement with others, or detached affect, is a clinical symptom of schizoid personality disorder
Which are clinical manifestations of avoidant personality disorder?
Fearfulness and shyness Being fearful and shy is a clinical symptom of avoidant personality disorder because individuals with this disorder have feelings of extreme social isolation. Withdrawal from social interactions Being withdrawn from social interactions is a clinical symptom of avoidant personality disorder because individuals with this disorder have intense feelings of inadequacy.
Which are clinical symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder?
Inappropriate affect Inappropriate affect, where a person does not act in a manner parallel to the situation, is a clinical symptom of schizotypal personality disorder. Eccentric appearance Eccentric behavior or appearance is a clinical symptom of schizotypal personality disorder. Expression of a different and odd attitude Feeling different and odd and not fitting in is a clinical symptom of schizotypal personality disorder. Engagement with paranormal phenomena Being very engaged with paranormal phenomena and believing in bodily illusions and odd perceptual experiences is a clinical symptom of schizotypal personality disorder.
Which clinical manifestations are indicative of antisocial personality disorder? Select all that apply.
Irritability A person with antisocial personality disorder exhibits irritability in response to feelings of anxiety due to others' aggressions towards them. Problems admitting guilt Problems admitting guilt is a clinical symptom of antisocial personality disorder because the person lacks remorse. Difficulty in telling the truth Difficulty in telling the truth is a clinical symptom of antisocial personality disorder because the individual takes advantage of others for his or her own purposes. Involvement in illegal activities Being involved in illegal activities is a clinical symptom of antisocial personality disorder because the individual does not conform to social norms for lawful behaviors.
Which are clinical manifestations of dependent personality disorder? Select all that apply.
Is obedient and tends to latch on to others Being obedient and latching onto others are clinical symptoms of dependent personality disorder because individuals with this disorder believe they cannot accomplish tasks on their own. Needs direction and avoids responsibility Needing direction and avoiding responsibility are clinical symptoms of dependent personality disorder because individuals with this disorder are excessively dependent on others.
Which characteristics are most common in individuals with a personality disorder?
Lack of self-awareness A person with a personality disorder lacks self-awareness and does not believe he or she has a problem that requires behavior modification. Trouble relating to life situations A person with a personality disorder has poor coping skills and trouble relating to people and life situations. Inability to state the purpose of his or her own life A person with a personality disorder is likely unable to state the purpose of his or her own life. Individuals with personality disorders do not have strong self-awareness skills that provide insight into behavior.
Which behaviors best illustrate clinical symptoms of paranoid personality disorder (PPD)?
Lack of trust toward others Lack of trust toward others is a clinical symptom of PPD. Suspicious of infidelity of partner Being suspicious of the infidelity of a spouse or sexual partner is a clinical symptom of PPD. Potential for loss of control and violence Potential for loss of control and violence is a clinical symptom of PPD because the individual believes that others are constantly attacking his or her character. Unwillingness to forgive others for small events Unwillingness to forgive others for small events is a clinical symptom of PPD because the individual doubts the integrity of the relationship to begin with.
Which statement about personality disorders is most accurate?
Personality disorders typically manifest in adolescence or early adulthood. Rationale Personality disorders typically manifest in adolescence or early adulthood. Some are more prevalent in women, and others are more prevalent in men.
Which are clinical manifestations of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)? Select all that apply.
Procrastination Procrastination is a clinical symptom of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder because individuals with this disorder are so preoccupied with finding the best way to do things that they do not get started on anything. Trouble with relaxation Having trouble relaxing due to intense feelings of things needing to be perfect is a clinical symptom of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Trouble with experiencing fun Having trouble experiencing fun because of being extremely dedicated to work is a clinical symptom of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
The criteria for a specific personality disorder are not met When criteria for a specific personality disorder are not met, a patient is diagnosed with an unspecified personality disorder.
Schizoid personality disorder Rationale Patients with schizoid personality disorder display social interactions similar to those of a person with high-functioning autism. They also have an elevated chance of having this disorder if a relative has schizophrenia.
A patient who believes he has magical control over others is not able to make eye contact with the nurse; instead, his eyes dart around the room. This patient has which personality disorder?
Schizotypal personality disorder Rationale Researchers have found that individuals with schizotypal personality disorder have faulty eye-tracking movements. These patients may believe they have magical control over others.
Which clinical manifestations are indicative of borderline personality disorder? Select all that apply.
Self-mutilation Self-mutilation is a clinical symptom of borderline personality disorder because the individual experiences emotional relief when inflicting pain on himself or herself. Suicidal thoughts Suicidal thoughts are a clinical symptom of borderline personality disorder because the individual is seeking a way to escape emotional pain. Volatile relationships Volatile relationships are a clinical symptom of borderline personality disorder because the individual does not recognize or mimic healthy relationships, usually due to a history of physical and sexual abuse, early parental loss or separation, or neglect.
Which is a characteristic of an unspecified personality disorder?
The criteria for a specific personality disorder are not met Rationale When criteria for a specific personality disorder are not met, a patient is diagnosed with an unspecified personality disorder.
Researchers have suggested a link between personality disorders and which attribute?
Biologic markers Rationale There is no research to suggest that a person is born with a personality disorder; however, the tendency to develop a personality disorder may be inherited.
Personality disorders typically occur in conjunction with which other disorders?
Bipolar disorders Individuals with bipolar disorders may also exhibit personality disorders, especially borderline personality disorder. Anxiety disorders Personality disorders can lead to anxiety that exacerbates the personality disorder symptoms. Substance abuse disorders Individuals with personality disorders may rely on substances to escape the pain and stress of personality disorder symptoms.
Which behavior demonstrates projective identification as seen in patients with borderline personality disorder?
Blaming others Rationale Blaming others for one's own shortcomings or problems is an example of projective identification seen in patients with borderline personality disorder.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is noted to have poor impulse control and is manipulative with staff members. The patient threatens to cut herself when she does not have permission from the nurse to go outside to smoke. Based on this presentation, the nurse suspects the patient has which personality disorder?
Borderline Rationale Patients with Cluster B disorders, especially borderline PD, are known to be dramatic and erratic in behavior. These patients exhibit impulse control problems, manipulation, and self-injurious behavior.
Antisocial The patient is demonstrating clinical manifestations of antisocial personality disorder, including showing no guilt or remorse for violations or crimes committed.
Bullying Patients with BPD may have been exposed to bullying in the past. School violence Patients with BPD may have been exposed to school violence. childhood sexual abuse Patients with BPD may have been exposed to childhood sexual abuse, although this is less common than other types of abuse in patients with BPD. Childhood emotional abuse Patients with BPD may have been exposed to childhood emotional abuse.
Which factor is thought to be the main cause of dependent personality disorder?
Overprotective parenting Rationale Theories suggest that overbearing, controlling, and overprotective parenting is the main cause of dependent personality disorder.
The over-activity of which brain component can lead to avoidant personality disorder?
Amygdala Rationale An overactive amygdala leads to anxiety and fear, which are seen in avoidant personality disorder.
A patient who is incarcerated engages in physical assault against other inmates and shows no remorse for his actions. Which personality disorder would be suspected?
Antisocial Rationale The patient is demonstrating clinical manifestations of antisocial personality disorder, including showing no guilt or remorse for violations or crimes committed.
A patient with a family history of schizophrenia insists that his wife is cheating on him, despite evidence to the contrary. Which type of personality disorder is this patient displaying?
Paranoid personality disorder Rationale This patient is displaying characteristics of paranoid personality disorder because he is suspicious and distrustful. Furthermore, paranoid personality disorder often occurs in patients with a biological relative with schizophrenia
A patient who is stubborn, follows a strict schedule, and insists on saving as much money as possible is exhibiting manifestations of which personality disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive Rationale The patient is demonstrating clinical manifestations of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, including stubbornness, adherence to a strict schedule, and saving of money.
Which characteristic most accurately describes a patient with a personality disorder?
One who has an unhealthy and adamant way and pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. Rationale A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which the patient has an unhealthy and adamant way and pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving.
