Common Features Of Personality Disorders Psychology is more an art form than a science. There is no "Theory of Everything" from which one can derive all mental health phenomena and make falsifiable predictions. Still, as far as personality disorders are concerned, it is easy to discern common features. Most personality disorders share a set of symptoms (as reported by the patient) and signs (as observed by the mental health practitioner)...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Axes Of Personality Disorders Personality disorders are like tips of icebergs. They rest on a foundation of causes and effects, interactions and events, emotions and cognitions, functions and dysfunctions that together form the patient and make him or her what s/he is. The DSM uses five axes to analyze, classify, and describe these data. The patient (or subject) presents himself to a mental health diagnostician, is evaluated,...... Similar Editorial : by omilana. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Diagnostic Criteria The Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is not a new psychological construct. In previous centuries it was called "egotism" or "megalomania". It is an extreme form of pathological narcissism. The Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is one of the four personality disorders in Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic). It was first described in the DSM III-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Clinical Features Clinical Features of the Narcissistic Personality Disorder Opinions vary as to whether the narcissistic traits evident in in infancy, childhood, and early adolescence are pathological. Anecdotal evidence suggests that childhood abuse and trauma inflicted by parents, authority figures, or even peers provoke "secondary narcissism" and, when unresolved, may lead to the full-fledged Narcissistic...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
The History Of Personality Disorders At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the French psychiatrist Pinel coined the phrase "manie sans delire" (insanity without delusions). He described patients who lacked impulse control, often raged when frustrated, and were prone to outbursts of violence. He noted that such patients were not subject to delusions. He was referring, of course, to psychopaths (subjects with the Antisocial...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Prevalence And Comorbidity What is the Difference between Healthy Narcissism and the Pathological Kind? In my book "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited", I define pathological narcissism as: "(A) life-long pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and ambition." Luckily...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Schizoid Personality Disorder Schizoids enjoy nothing and seemingly never experience pleasure (they are anhedonic). Even their nearest and dearest often describe them as "automata", "robots", or "machines". But the schizoid is not depressed or dysphoric, merely indifferent. Schizoids are uninterested in social relationships and bored or puzzled by interpersonal interactions. They are incapable of intimacy and have a very...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Histrionic Personality Disorder This immediately raises the question: Is this a real mental health disorder or a culture-bound syndrome which reflects the values of a patriarchal and misogynistic society? A man with similar traits is bound to be admired as a "macho" or, at worst, labeled a "womanizer". Histrionics resemble narcissists - both seek attention compulsively and are markedly dysphoric and uncomfortable when not at the...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Avoidant Personality Disorder As a result, they are shy and socially inhibited. Aware of their real (and, often, imagined) shortcomings, they are constantly on the lookout, are hypervigilant and hypersensitive. Even the slightest, most constructive and well-meant or helpful criticism and disagreement are perceived as complete rejection, ridicule, and shaming. Consequently, they go to great lengths to avoid situations that...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Borderline Personality Disorder Some scholars say that it is a culture-bound pseudo-syndrome invented by men to serve a patriarchal and misogynistic society. Others point to the fact the lives of patients diagnosed with the disorder are chaotic and that the relationships they form are stormy, short-lived, and unstable. Moreover, not unlike compensatory narcissists, people with the Borderline Personality Disorder often display...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Codependence And The Dependent Personality Disorder Before we proceed to study the Dependent Personality Disorder in our next article, we would do well to clarify these terms. Codependents Like dependents (people with the Dependent Personality Disorder), codependents depend on other people for their emotional gratification and the performance of both inconsequential and crucial daily and psychological functions. Codependents are needy, demanding,...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Schizotypal Personality Disorder Do you believe in the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary and in the resurrection of her son? Then you are merely a religious person.In other words, it is OK to believe in certain "supernatural" phenomena just because such beliefs are socially acceptable and widespread. The Schizotypal Personality Disorder is one of the most culture-bound mental health diagnoses in the American Psychiatric...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Five Factor Personality Model The Five Factor Model was suggested by two researchers, Costa and McCrae, in 1989. The designers of previous factor models sifted through bulky dictionaries and came up with thousands of words to describe human nature in all its variability. Not so the inventors of the Five Factor Model. It is based on and derived from various personality inventories. Surprisingly, it was proven to be as powerful...... Similar Editorial : by Cindy Morus. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Factor Models Of Personality The Five Factor Model deals with the healthy, normal personality. Not so other factor models. In 1990, Clark and a group of researchers constructed an instrument with 21 dimensions, based on the criteria of personality disorders in the DSM-III, on various scholarly texts in the field, and even on some Axis I elements. They proposed the following as descriptive axes: proneness to suicide, self...... Similar Editorial : by Linda Matias. | Source : Dealing With Bipolar
Depressive Personality Disorder The Depressive Personality Disorder is not yet recognized by the DSM Committee. It makes its appearances in Appendix B of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, titled "Criteria Sets and Axes Provided for Further Study." It is not clear in what way is the Depressive Personality Disorder different to other depressive illnesses, such as Dysthymic Disorder.The Depressive has pervasive and continuous...... Similar Editorial : by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Dealing With Bipolar
