Cluster B Personality Disorders
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A personality disorder is a disorder of character that involves
consistent, long-lasting, maladaptive ways of thinking and behaving.
Psychologists enumerate three main types: Type A (odd or eccentric
types); Type B (emotional, dramatic types), and Type C (fearful,
anxious
types). It's the Type B personality disorders that we're seeing so much
of today. Symptoms of these four different types of "Cluster B"
personality disorders are:
Borderline
Personality Disorder
- Frantic efforts
to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
- A pattern of
unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by
alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation
("splitting")
- Identity
disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of
self.
- Impulsivity in
at least 2 areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending,
sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).
- Recurrent
suicidal behaviour, gestures or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour.
- Affective
instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic
dysphoria, irritability or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only
rarely more than a few days).
- Chronic feelings
of emptiness.
- Inappropriate,
intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays
of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
- Transient,
stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Narcissistic
Personality Disorder
- Has a grandiose
sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements, expects to be
recognized as superior without actually completing the achievements)
- Is preoccupied
with fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty, or perfect love.
- Believes that
they are "special" and can only be understood by or should only
associate with other special people (or institutions).
- Requires
excessive admiration.
- Has a sense of
entitlement, such as an unreasonable expectation of favorable treatment
or compliance with his or her expectations.
- Is exploitative
and takes advantage of others to achieve their own ends.
- Lacks empathy
and is unwilling to identify with the needs of others.
- Is often envious
of others or believes that others are envious of them.
- Shows arrogant,
haughty behaviors and attitudes
Histrionic
Personality Disorder
- Uncomfortable
when not the center of attention
- Seductive or
provocative behavior
- Shifting and
shallow emotions
- Uses appearance
to draw attention
- Impressionistic
and vague speech
- Dramatic or
exaggerated emotions
- Suggestible
(easily influenced by others)
- Considers
relationships more intimate than they are
Antisocial
Personality Disorder
- Failure to
conform to social norms concerning lawful behaviors, such as performing
acts that are grounds for arrest.
- Deceitfulness,
repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for pleasure or
personal profit.
- Impulsivity or
failure to plan.
- Irritability and
aggressiveness, often with physical fights or assaults.
- Reckless
disregard for the safety of self or others.
- Consistent
irresponsibility, failure to sustain consistent work behavior, or honor
monetary obligations.
- Lack of remorse,
being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or
stolen from another person.
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