Diagnosing Personality Disorders
Diagnosing Personality Disorders
It is estimated that 30.8 million adults in the United States meet the criteria of having one or more personality disorders (Kessler, 2005). A good number of people do not seek medical attention. It is very dangerous to leave mental issues unchecked. People with personality disorders are often a risk to themselves and others (Yeandle, 2013). It is important for psychology majors to learn how to correctly diagnose personality disorders because treatment relies on it, without treatment other disorders could develop, and non treatment could prove to be harmful or fatal. There are ten classified personality disorders that are broken down into three subsections or clusters. Cluster A individuals are generalized as odd, bizarre, or eccentric and the disorders in this cluster are paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorder. Cluster B individuals are classified as dramatic and erratic and the disorders in this cluster are antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorder. Cluster C individuals are considered anxious and fearful and the disorders in this cluster are avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (Burton, 2012). Every single one of these disorders can be treated. To get the correct treatment one must first have the correct diagnosis. To diagnose a personality disorder correctly it is important to know the specific diagnostic criteria. The DSM-V is the APA’s diagnostic manual that lists all the disorders and their symptoms. A psychologist can diagnose a personality disorder by viewing if a behavior is inflexible over a period of time. Most disorders are not noticeable until adulthood but some repetitive behaviors begin in adolescence. The psychologist can then determine if the behavior is affecting the individual’s ability to function normally in society. It is important to first be sure that the behavior is not caused by drug
It is estimated that 30.8 million adults in the United States meet the criteria of having one or more personality disorders (Kessler, 2005). A good number of people do not seek medical attention. It is very dangerous to leave mental issues unchecked. People with personality disorders are often a risk to themselves and others (Yeandle, 2013). It is important for psychology majors to learn how to correctly diagnose personality disorders because treatment relies on it, without treatment other disorders could develop, and non treatment could prove to be harmful or fatal. There are ten classified personality disorders that are broken down into three subsections or clusters. Cluster A individuals are generalized as odd, bizarre, or eccentric and the disorders in this cluster are paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorder. Cluster B individuals are classified as dramatic and erratic and the disorders in this cluster are antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorder. Cluster C individuals are considered anxious and fearful and the disorders in this cluster are avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (Burton, 2012). Every single one of these disorders can be treated. To get the correct treatment one must first have the correct diagnosis. To diagnose a personality disorder correctly it is important to know the specific diagnostic criteria. The DSM-V is the APA’s diagnostic manual that lists all the disorders and their symptoms. A psychologist can diagnose a personality disorder by viewing if a behavior is inflexible over a period of time. Most disorders are not noticeable until adulthood but some repetitive behaviors begin in adolescence. The psychologist can then determine if the behavior is affecting the individual’s ability to function normally in society. It is important to first be sure that the behavior is not caused by drug
References: Burton, Neel. (2012). The 10 Personality Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/the-10-personality-disorders Hoerman, S., Zupanick, C., Dombeck, M. (2013). Personality Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.communitycounselingservices.org Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27. Kochanek KD, Murphy SL, Anderson RN, Scott C. Deaths: final data for 2002. National Vital Statistics Reports. 2004 Oct 12;53 (5):1-115. Verheul, R., & Van Den Brink, W. (2005). Causal pathways between substance use disorders and personality pathology. Australian Psychologist, 40(2), 127-136. doi:10.1080/00050060500094613 Ward, R.K. (2004). Assessment and management of personality disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Oct 15;70 (8):1505-12. Yeandle, J., Fawkes, L., Gordon, C., & Challis, E. (2013). Risk assessment and management of people with personality disorders.Mental Health Practice, 17(2), 21-23.