Personality Disorders Affect the entire life adjustment of a person- not simply one aspect

Defined as excessively rigid, maladaptive pattern of behavior and ways of relating to others that make it difficult to have normal social relationships. Ten primary types

Antisocial Personality Disorder Breaking the law Lying Impulsive Aggressive Irrational behavior Reckless with others safety Irresponsible-selfish-self- centered-manipulative More males than females Conduct disorder diagnosed (15) Lack of remorse

What is the difference between antisocial personality disorder and a sociopath or psychopath? Severity of disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder The disorder doctors don’t want to treat Volatile relationships Manipulative Feelings of emptiness Problems with identity Impulsive Substance abuse Suicidal (10%) Suicidal behavior/gestures Instability of mood Self-mutilating (75%) 3 X’s more women than men

Causes of Personality Disorders Behaviors can be learned over time (reinforcement, shaping and modeling) Beliefs involving self-importance, paranoia, narcissistic, dependence, etc. Genes (adoption studies) Longitudinal study of temperament links temperament at age 3 (low fearfulness) to antisocial personality Low levels of stress hormones Severe disturbance in family relationships.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Dramatically exaggerated sense of one’s own value and importance Obsessions of success, beauty & power

Histrionic Personality Disorder Insatiable need and search for attention Highly (!) emotional behavior

Are any of these actual disorders? or extremes within the “normal” range of behavior?