Comparing Personality Disorders (Essay Sample)

Comparing Personality Disorders
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Question 1
Narcissistic PD has the characteristic of an established pattern of magnificence that is an irresistible need for approval, and customarily a widespread deficiency of empathy toward other people. On the contrary, Dependent PD has the characteristics of an established need someone who suffers from this disorder to be taken care of. Fear of being abandoned by people who are important in his or her life is also another characteristics. A man with Narcissistic PD may marry a woman with Dependent PD. The couples are opposite of each other. Such a union is a commonplace and is referred to as marital quid pro quo. This means that the couples support each other to determine the behavior of each other CITATION Psy11 \l 1033 (Psychology Today, 2011).
Question 2
Antisocial PD (psychopath or sociopath), ASPD has the characteristics of violation of other’s rights. People who suffer from this disorder usually have a longstanding contempt for other people’s rights. It frequently start in childhood or even when one is in his or her teens then continues to adulthood CITATION Psy14 \l 1033 (Psych Central , 2014). On the other hand, Histrionic PD is characterized by longstanding attention-seeking behavior. Persons suffering from this disorder typically display extreme emotionality and may engage in sexually provocative actions to seek attention CITATION Psy141 \l 1033 (Psych Central, 2014). Therefore, the similarity between these two disorders is that both persons exhibit impulsive behavior. They also tend to be naturally shallow. ASPD is associated with males while HPD with females which may not be the case according to study conducted by Newman in 1987 CITATION JPe02 \l 1033 (J Pers, 2002). However, looking at the symptoms of HPD match those of females who exhibit emotionality. Similarly, males usually show contempt and violation of other’s rights.
Question 3
People suffering from Avoidant PD, APD, usually experience have the inadequacy feelings. They are also sensitive to what other people may think about them. This will lead to such people feeling socially inept and inhibited making avoid work or any activities that may result in them interacting with others CITATION Psy142 \l 1033 (Psych Central, 2014). On the other hand, Social Phobias (Social Anxiety Disorder) refers to a tenacious and irresistible fear of social circumstances. The fear is more than mere shyness and can involve fear for very simple activities like making a phone call, going to shopping CITATION NHS14 \l 1033 (NHS, 2014). Those who suffer from APD may display the same characteristics as those suffering from Social Phobias, but the difference is that the severity is greater, and they have more symptoms than those Suffering from Social Phobias CITATION Cun14 \l 1033 (Cuncic, 2014).
Question 4
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) has the characteristic of a fascination with perfectionism, uniformity, relational and emotional control, at the cost of efficiency, candidness, and flexibility. A person with this disorder have a difficulty in prioritizing their task CITATION Psy143 \l 1033 (Psych Central , 2014). On the other hand, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is described by irrational fears and thoughts referred to as obsessions which may result in someone doing repetitive behaviors which is called compulsions CITATION May13 \l 1033 (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Therefore, the difference between the two is that OCD is solely defined in terms of particular kinds of behavior while OCPD is a manifestation of one’s whole worldview, attitude, and personality.
Question 5
Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) has the characteristics of an established pattern of dispassion from social relations. An individual with SPD frequently has trouble in expressing his or her feelings. He will do so in a delimited range mostly when communicating with the others. On the other hand, people suffering from Avoidant PD, APD, frequently experience have the inadequacy feelings. They are also sensitive to what other people may think about them. This will lead to such people feeling socially inept and inhibited making avoid work or any activities that may result in them interacting with others. SPD is believed to be genetic while APD is influenced by childhood events CITATION Psy144 \l 1033 (Psych Central, 2014).