Personality disorders - Cluster C Notes

NOTES NOTES PERSONALITY DISORDERS: CLUSTER C GENERALLY, WHAT ARE THEY? PATHOLOGY & CAUSES ▪ Avoidant, obsessive-compulsive and dependent personality disorder ▪ Deviations from cultural expectations → worsens day-to-day life and relationships CAUSES ▪ May be genetic, environmental ▪ Linked to anxiety disorders SIGNS & SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS ▪ Unusual behaviors/traits ▪ Not explained by other condition/substance TREATMENT MEDICATIONS ▪ Antidepressants PSYCHOTHERAPY ▪ E.g. behavioral therapy, group therapy, assertiveness training ▪ Unusual behavior ▪ Poor relationships Figure 100.1 Illustration depicting the three cluster C personality disorders: avoidant personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and dependent personality disorder. OSMOSIS.ORG 729

AVOIDANT PERSONALITY DISORDER osms.it/avoidant-personality-disorder PATHOLOGY & CAUSES DIAGNOSIS ▪ Shyness, social inhibition, low self-esteem ▪ Wants close relationships, but doesn’t take social risks ▪ Hypersensitive to rejection, criticism ▪ Overlap with dependent personality disorder, others from clusters A, B ▪ ≥ four of following ▫ Avoids social situations ▫ Unwillingness to interact ▫ Limits intimate relationships ▫ Preoccupation with rejection, criticism ▫ Low self-esteem ▫ Fears embarrassment associated with social risk-taking ▪ Not explained by other condition/substance SIGNS & SYMPTOMS ▪ Hypersensitivity to rejection, criticism ▪ Resulting timidness ▪ Desire for relationships TREATMENT MEDICATIONS ▪ Beta blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) PSYCHOTHERAPY ▪ E.g. group therapy, assertiveness training Figure 100.2 Illustration depicting thoughts/symptoms typical of avoidant personality disorder. 730 OSMOSIS.ORG

Chapter 100 Personality Disorders: Cluster C OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER osms.it/obessive-complusive PATHOLOGY & CAUSES ▪ Obsessed with orderliness, perfection, need to be in control ▪ Inflexible, easily stressed, inefficient (because of excessive planning) ▪ Rigid beliefs → “stubborn” label ▪ OCD ego-dystonic; OCPD ego-syntonic SIGNS & SYMPTOMS ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Preoccupation with rules, details, perfection Rigid, inflexible behavior Lacking sense of humor Indecisive (for fear of making wrong decision) DIAGNOSIS ▪ ≥ four of following ▫ Preoccupation with details ▫ Disruptive perfectionism ▫ Work eclipses personal life ▫ Rigid, loud beliefs (religious, ethical) ▫ Tendency to hoard possessions ▫ Refuses to delegate ▫ Excessively frugal ▫ Stubbornness ▪ Not explained by other condition/substance TREATMENT MEDICATIONS ▪ SSRIs, benzodiazepines PSYCHOTHERAPY ▪ Cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy Figure 100.3 Illustration depicting differences between obsessive compulsive disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. OSMOSIS.ORG 731

DEPENDENT PERSONALITY DISORDER osms.it/dependent-personality-disorder ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ PATHOLOGY & CAUSES DIAGNOSIS Excessive fear of separation/rejection Overly dependent on others Lack self-confidence Overly indecisive Possessive of individuals they depend on Overlap with avoidant personality disorder, others from clusters A, B ▪ ≥ five of following ▫ Can’t make everyday decisions ▫ Overly dependent on others ▫ Scared to disagree with others ▫ Lack of self-motivation ▫ Craves approval ▫ Uncomfortable/afraid of being alone ▫ Quick to replace lost relationships ▪ Not explained by other condition/substance SIGNS & SYMPTOMS ▪ Dependent, submissive ▪ Overly indecisive ▪ Clings onto others TREATMENT MEDICATIONS ▪ SSRIs, benzodiazepines PSYCHOTHERAPY ▪ E.g. insight oriented, behavioral, family, group, assertiveness training Figure 100.4 Illustration depicting thoughts/symptoms typical of dependent personality disorder. 732 OSMOSIS.ORG