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Acronyms
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Among non-psychologists, it is common to confuse personality disorders with psychological disorders generally (i.e., psychopathology), when in fact personality disorders are only one variety of psychopathology. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994) distinguishes disorders like depression and schizophrenia (Axis I disorders) from personality disorders (Axis II disorders). Although there is a great deal of overlap among these different kinds of disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder often occurs with depression, and personality disorders often occur together), it is probably worthwhile at least to be aware of the conceptual distinction. The Dark Side of Personality
Personality disorders, by definition, are disorders of personality. Consequently, they are typified by early onset and pervasive effects. Nevertheless, there are treatments that can help those with personality disorders learn to cope with their distinctive problems in living.
The following acronyms for the personality disoders (Pinkofsky, 1997) should make them understandable and memorable. The group headings are based respectively on the DSM-IV, the structural analysis of social behavior (SASB; Benjamin, 1996), and the psychoticism - extraversion - neuroticism (PEN) model (Eysenck, 1987). It is because of their relation to theories that have inspired scientific research that personality disorders are included herein.
Cluster A
Odd, Eccentric Group
Psychotics
Paranoid personality disorder: SUSPECT (4 criteria).S: Spouse fidelity suspected
U: Unforgiving (bears grudges)
S: Suspicious of others
P: Perceives attacks (and reacts quickly)
E: "Enemy or friend" (suspects associates, friends)
C: Confiding in others feared
T: Threats perceived in benign events
Cluster B
Dramatic, Erratic Group
Extraverts
Antisocial personality disorder: CORRUPT (3 criteria).C: Conformity to law lacking
O: Obligations ignored
R: Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
R: Remorse lacking
U: Underhanded (deceitful, lies, cons others)
P: Planning insufficient (impulsive)
T: Temper (irritable and aggressive)
Borderline personality disorder: AM SUICIDE (5 criteria).A: Abandonment
M: Mood instability (marked reactivity of mood)S: Suicidal (or self-mutilating) behavior
U: Unstable and intense relationships
I: Impulsivity (in two potentially self-damaging areas)
C: Control of anger
I: Identity disturbance
D: Dissociative (or paranoid) symptoms that are transient and stress-related
E: Emptiness (chronic feelings of)
Cluster C
Anxious, Fearful Group
Neurotics
Avoidant personalty disorder: CRINGES (4 criteria).C: Certainty (of being liked required before willing to get involved with others)
R: Rejection (or criticism) preoccupies one's thoughts in social situations
I: Intimate relationships (restraint in intimate relationships due to fear of being shamed)
N: New interpersonal relationships (is inhibited in)
G: Gets around occupational activity (involving significant interpersonal contact)
E: Embarrassment (potential) prevents new activity or taking personal risks
S: Self viewed as unappealing, inept, or inferior
Benjamin, L. S. (1996). Interpersonal diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.
Eysenck, H. J. (1987). The definition of personality disorders and the criteria appropriate for their descriptions. Journal of Personality Disorders, 1, 211-219.
Pinkofsky, H. B. (1997). Mnemonics for DSM-IV personality disorders. Psychiatric Services, 48, 1197-1198.
Last modified March 2001
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References
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Personality Disorders Links
"Creative Genius of Psychotic? A Look at the Strong Positive Correlation Between Creativity and Psychoses"
Personality Disorders: Websites Elsewhere
This paper shows how intelligence, latent inhibition, and fantasy proneness all factor into a theory of how creativity and psychoses are intertwined. By Jonathan S. Byrd.
"A Critical Review of Eysenck's Theory of Psychoticism and How It Relates to Creativity"
This paper describes Eysenck's contribution to the notion that the personality trait of psychoticism is related to creativity, along with criticisms of this notion. By Shane K. Porzio.
"Genetic and Environmental Influeces on Criminal Behavior"
This winner of the 2005 RIT Kearse Award for Writing reviews the behavior genetics of criminality. By Caitlin M. Jones.
"Factors Contributing to the Development of Pathological Gambling"
This paper points out relations between impulsivity and other risk factors for developing gambling problems. By Kory Sinha.
"Multiple Personality Disorder: Fact or Fiction?"
This paper discusses the relations between multiple personality disorder and dissociative identity disorder. By Alexandria K. Cherry.
"Pathways From Childhood Conduct Problems to Adult Criminality"
This paper discusses development from childhood conduct disorder or attention-deficit disorder to adult antisocial personality disorder. By Tiffany L. Panko.
Borderline Personality Disorder Sanctuary
Personality Disorders: Reference Sources
This website includes resources such as pages where a physician and a therapist answer visitors' questions about BPD. By Patty Pheil and Tim Phiel.
BPD Central
This is a website on borderline personality disorder. By Paul Mason and Randi Kreger.
European Royalty: Inherited Personality Traits
This website discusses the personality types of European royalty and other illustrious individuals based on Mendelian genetics. By Anthony M. Benis.
Google Web Directory: Personality Disorders
This page contains numerous links to websites on personality disorders rank-ordered by popularity. By Google.
Internet Mental Health
This website links to description, diagnosis, treatment, research, booklets, magazine articles, and links, for the following personality disorders: (1) antisocial, (2) borderline, (3) dependent, (4) histrionic, (5) schizoid, (6) schizotypal.
Institute for Advanced Studies in Personology and Psychopathology
This website of a leading researcher on personality disorders includes sections on instrumentation, theory, taxonomy, and more. By Theodore Millon.
Laura Paxton
This website offers tools, inspiration, and support to those suffering from borderline personality disorder. By Laura Paxton.
Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Re-Visited
This website includes frequently asked questions and other resources on narcissism. By Sam Vaknin.
Narcissism: A Genetic Trait
This website contains articles and a message board on narcissism. By Anthony M. Benis.
Open Directory: Personality Disorders
This page contains numerous links to websites on personality disorders ordered alphabetically. By the Open Directory Project.
Personality Disorders
This website contains links to symptoms, treatment, on-line resources, organizations, and on-line support. By Mental Health Net.
Personality Disorders
This list of links is part of Mental Health Infosource Index. By Heather Orey.
Personality Disorders: General Information
This website features DSM-IV criteria and many links. By Dave Kelly.
Robert Hare's Page
This is the website of a leading researcher on psychopathy. By Robert D. Hare.
Key References Relating to the Study of Psychopathy
This is a lengthy list of references on psychopathy. By Steve D. Hart, Adelle E. Forth, and Robert D. Hare.
Suggested Readings
A list of suggested readings on this topic is also available. By G. Scott Acton.
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