Personality Disorders

Lesson by Kat Thomson

Magoosh Expert

Summary

This lesson provides a comprehensive introduction to personality disorders, detailing their characteristics, common misconceptions, and the challenges in treatment. It emphasizes the complexity of diagnosing and managing these disorders, highlighting the fine line between personality traits and disorders.

Personality disorders are labels used to describe individuals who consistently react to life in extreme ways, affecting themselves and others, with about 9% of the U.S. population thought to have one.
Common misconceptions include confusing personality disorders with psychotic ailments or mood disorders, though they are distinct in that they are not easily treated or cured.
Personality disorders are often linked to childhood trauma and are evident by late teens or early twenties, with a significant resistance to change from those affected.
The lesson categorizes personality disorders into three clusters: Cluster A (odd or eccentric behaviors), Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors), and Cluster C (anxious and fearful behaviors), providing insights into each category and their specific disorders.
Treatment challenges are acknowledged, including the difficulty in achieving a 'cure' and the importance of teaching more adaptive ways of living to manage the disorders.

Chapters