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PERSONALITY DISORDERS
By: Pauline Baluis

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1. Avoidant Personality Disorder Characterized by a pervasive pattern of social discomfort and reticence, low selfesteem, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. These clients are likely to report being overly inhibited as children and that they often avoid unfamiliar situations and people with intensity beyond that expected for their developmental stage.

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Characteristics include: Reluctant to ask questions or make requests Sad and anxious Shy and fearful Socially awkward Easily devastated by real or perceived criticism Has very low self-esteem Hypersensitive to negative evaluation from others

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2. Dependent Personality Disorder Characterized by a pervasive pattern and excessive need to be taken care of, which leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. The disorder is three times more often in women than in men. It runs in families and most common in the youngest child.

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Characteristics include: Frequently anxious Mildly uncomfortable and feel helpless when alone Often pessimistic and self-critical Unhappy or depressed Preoccupied excessively with unrealistic fears of being left alone to care for themselves

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Have tremendous difficulty in making decisions, no matter how minor Perceive themselves as unable to function outside a relationship Have difficulty initiating projects or completing simple ADLs Reluctant to express disagreement

CLUSTER C: The unspoken motto seems to be:

ANY RELATIONSHIP
IS BETTER THAN NONE AT ALL

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3. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with perfectionism, mental and interpersonal control, and orderliness. It occurs as twice as many men as women. Common in oldest children and people in professions involving facts, figures, or methodical focus on detail.

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Characteristics include: Feeling the need to be perfect beginning in childhood Have difficulty expressing emotions Very stubborn and reluctant to relinquish control Usually appear anxious and fretful Preoccupied with orderliness

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Strive for perfection Absorbed in their own perspective, believe they are right, and do not listen carefully to others Check and recheck the details of any project or activity Have low self-esteem Always harsh, critical, and judgmental of themselves

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4. Depressive Personality Disorder Characterized by a pervasive pattern of depressive cognitions and behaviors in various contexts. Occurs equally in men and women and more often in people with relatives who have major depressive disorders. Clients may seem to have similar behavior characteristics as to clients with major depression, but the personality disorder is much less severe.

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Characteristics include:

Being sad, gloomy, or dejected affect Express persistent unhappiness, cheerlessness, and hopelessness Broods and worries over all aspects of daily life Has low self-esteem

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Has feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy Overly quiet and passive Overly critical and quick to reject others first

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Views pessimism as:

BEING REALISTIC

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5. Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder Characterized by a negative attitude and a pervasive pattern of passive resistance to demands for adequate social and occupational performance. It is thought to be slightly more prevalent in women than in men.

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Characteristics include: Moods fluctuate rapidly and erratically Easily upset or offended Alternates between hostile self-assertion Perceives and anticipates difficulties and disappointments where none exists Views future negatively Frequently ambivalent and indecisive

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Tend to blame others for their own feelings or misfortune Has low self confidence Has feelings of being cheated, victimized, and exploited -Often have various vague or generalized somatic complaints and may even adapt a sick role

CLUSTER C: Plays the role of the martyr who:

SACRIFICES EVERYTHING FOR OTHERS

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NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHATS WRONG WITH ME. I JUST HAVE TO SUFFER. ITS MY BAD LUCK!

They can be angry or bitter, complaining: