Personality Disorders
With Emphasis on Borderline Personality Disorder
, The Mad, the Bad, the Sad
• Cluster A – odd or eccentric (“The Mad”)
• Paranoid (pervasive mistrust)
• Schizoid (socially detached)
• Schizotypal (socially isolated, distorted perception)
• Cluster B – dramatic, emotional, erratic (“The Bad”)
• Antisocial (discounts others, no empathy)
• Borderline (unstable, impulsive)
• Histrionic (dramatic attention seeking)
• Narcissistic (needs admiration)
• Cluster C – anxious or fearful (“The Sad”)
• Avoidant (socially inhibited, inadequate)
• Dependent (submissive, separation fear)
• Obsessive-Compulsive (orderliness, perfectionism, control)
2
, Cluster A: “The Mad”
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorders (pervasive mistrust)
• Clients with paranoid personality disorder possess an unjustified distrust and suspicions of others.
• They fear that others are exploiting or deceiving them. Innocent statements may be interpreted as a threat
or attack on their character.
• People with Paranoid Personality Disorder display a need to be self-sufficient and can often bear grudges
for long periods of time.
• Paranoid personality disorder usually presents itself by early adulthood and affects approximately 1% of
the general population. However, those with the disorder rarely present themselves for treatment due to
their lack of trust in others.
3
, Cluster A: “The Mad”
Paranoid Personality Disorder
In order for Paranoid Personality Disorder to be diagnosed, the client
will display at least four of the following:
• Unjustified suspicion that others are exploiting, deceiving or harming them
• Preoccupation with unjustified doubts regarding the trustworthiness or loyalty of friends or associates
• Reluctance to confide in others due to unwarranted fears that information will be used maliciously against
them
• Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into innocent events or comments
• Persistent bearing of grudges
• Perceives personal attacks on their own character or reputation, which is not perceived by others; they are
quick to counterattack or respond angrily
• Unjustified suspicions, without justification, about the fidelity of spouse or sexual partner
4
With Emphasis on Borderline Personality Disorder
, The Mad, the Bad, the Sad
• Cluster A – odd or eccentric (“The Mad”)
• Paranoid (pervasive mistrust)
• Schizoid (socially detached)
• Schizotypal (socially isolated, distorted perception)
• Cluster B – dramatic, emotional, erratic (“The Bad”)
• Antisocial (discounts others, no empathy)
• Borderline (unstable, impulsive)
• Histrionic (dramatic attention seeking)
• Narcissistic (needs admiration)
• Cluster C – anxious or fearful (“The Sad”)
• Avoidant (socially inhibited, inadequate)
• Dependent (submissive, separation fear)
• Obsessive-Compulsive (orderliness, perfectionism, control)
2
, Cluster A: “The Mad”
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorders (pervasive mistrust)
• Clients with paranoid personality disorder possess an unjustified distrust and suspicions of others.
• They fear that others are exploiting or deceiving them. Innocent statements may be interpreted as a threat
or attack on their character.
• People with Paranoid Personality Disorder display a need to be self-sufficient and can often bear grudges
for long periods of time.
• Paranoid personality disorder usually presents itself by early adulthood and affects approximately 1% of
the general population. However, those with the disorder rarely present themselves for treatment due to
their lack of trust in others.
3
, Cluster A: “The Mad”
Paranoid Personality Disorder
In order for Paranoid Personality Disorder to be diagnosed, the client
will display at least four of the following:
• Unjustified suspicion that others are exploiting, deceiving or harming them
• Preoccupation with unjustified doubts regarding the trustworthiness or loyalty of friends or associates
• Reluctance to confide in others due to unwarranted fears that information will be used maliciously against
them
• Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into innocent events or comments
• Persistent bearing of grudges
• Perceives personal attacks on their own character or reputation, which is not perceived by others; they are
quick to counterattack or respond angrily
• Unjustified suspicions, without justification, about the fidelity of spouse or sexual partner
4
