001 Personality Disorders

PERSONALITY DISORDERS

Note: These are coded on Axis II.
Note: Mental Retardation is also in the Axis ll catagory

1.        Paranoid Personality Disorder

2.        Schizoid Personality Disorder

3.        Schizotypal Personality Disorder

4.        Antisocial Personality Disorder

5.        Borderline Personality Disorder

6.        Histrionic Personality Disorder

7.        Narcissistic Personality Disorder

8.        Avoidant Personality Disorder

9.        Dependent Personality Disorder

10.        Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

In addition, Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) is a diagnostic category for individuals who meet the general definition, but who do not fit neatly into any of the 10 categories.

Personality disorders represent extreme forms of personality traits (i.e., enduring and pervasive patterns of behavior) that have become dysfunctional for the person. The trait is expressed in such a rigid or inappropriate manner that it interferes with that person's adjustment.

People with personality disorders usually lack insight into the source of their difficulties. Clients do not usually seek counseling because of a personality disorder itself but because of difficulties associated with the disorder. For example, a person with a dependent personality disorder might seek counseling because of loneliness or indecisiveness, but not for dependency. The counselor needs to look beyond the symptoms to find the personality disorder.

According to Fong (1995, p.636), any of the following signs may suggest a client with a personality disorder:

Counseling comes to a sudden stop in progress after initial success.

The client is unaware of the effect of his or her behavior on others.

The problems are acceptable to the client.

The client is underresponsive or noncompliant with the therapeutic regime.

The client enters into intense conflictural relationships with institutional systems.

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