Author Question: Describe the characteristics and causes of borderline personality disorder, and discuss possible ... (Read 114 times)

BrownTown3

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 564
Describe the characteristics and causes of borderline personality disorder, and discuss possible treatment approaches and their efficacy.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the basic features of antisocial personality disorder. Why is psychotherapy with this population so likely to fail?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



jaymee143

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 341
Answer to Question 1

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by erratic moods, unstable relationships, poor self-image, and fear of abandonment. Borderline individuals often engage in suicidal and/or self-mutilating behaviors, and have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. Borderline personality disorder is more prevalent in families with the disorder and is more common in women. There is also a strong link to early sexual abuse among borderline individuals, but it is not clear whether there is a gene-environment interaction accounting for some of this data. People with borderline personality disorders are typically distressed about their lives and are more likely to seek treatment even than people with anxiety and mood disorders. They often respond positively to medications, including SSRIs, other antidepressants, and lithium. Dialectical behavior therapy, which involves helping people cope with the stressors that trigger suicidal behavior, may also be effective. Therapy is conducted weekly and helps patients learn to identify and regulate emotions. It also contains elements of treatments used to help people with posttraumatic stress disorder. Eventually, clients learn to trust their own response rather than depending on the validation of others. Up to 88 percent of borderline patients who undergo therapy experience remission at 10 years, which is an extremely positive outlook among the personality disorders.

Answer to Question 2

Antisocial personality disorder involves irresponsible, impulsive, deceitful behavior that violates social and legal norms. Antisocial individuals lack conscience and empathy, and feel justified in taking what they want, whether it suits other people or not. These behaviors start early in life as conduct disorder, which is considered a precursor to antisocial personality disorder. Often the individuals involved are glib and superficially charming but have a grandiose sense of self-worth, are very good at manipulating others, and lack remorse for their actions. Some researchers believe that the fearlessness, thrill seeking, and insensitivity to punishment shown by people with antisocial personality disorder are related to low levels of cortical arousal, although social factors such as familial divorce or substance abuse may also encourage antisocial behavior. Since people with antisocial personality disorder do not feel bad about what they have done, they rarely seek treatment unless forced to for family or legal reasons. Consequently, they are not motivated to change, often fail to cooperate with treatment, and may even try to manipulate the therapist in order to thwart therapeutic change.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

Most childhood vaccines are 90–99% effective in preventing disease. Side effects are rarely serious.

Did you know?

As the western states of America were settled, pioneers often had to drink rancid water from ponds and other sources. This often resulted in chronic diarrhea, causing many cases of dehydration and death that could have been avoided if clean water had been available.

Did you know?

Inotropic therapy does not have a role in the treatment of most heart failure patients. These drugs can make patients feel and function better but usually do not lengthen the predicted length of their lives.

Did you know?

Alcohol acts as a diuretic. Eight ounces of water is needed to metabolize just 1 ounce of alcohol.

Did you know?

Thyroid conditions cause a higher risk of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library