PYC4802 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2023
(706685) - DUE 24 July 2023
, a) Diagnostic criteria and hallmark features of Personality Disorder and Borderline
Personality Disorder:
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring
patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate significantly from cultural
expectations. These patterns typically manifest in multiple areas of an individual's life and
cause distress or impairment. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5) is widely used to diagnose personality disorders.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one specific type of personality disorder. It is
characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image,
and affect, as well as marked impulsivity. The DSM-5 outlines the following diagnostic
criteria for BPD:
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment: Individuals with BPD often have
intense fears of being abandoned or rejected. They may go to great lengths to prevent this,
such as making frantic efforts to maintain relationships or engaging in impulsive behaviors.
2. Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships: People with BPD may have unstable
relationships characterized by alternating idealization and devaluation of others. They may
also experience frequent conflicts and difficulties maintaining long-term relationships.
3. Identity disturbance: Individuals with BPD often struggle with a fragmented or unstable
sense of self. They may have an unclear understanding of their values, goals, and
preferences, leading to difficulties in decision-making and identity formation.
4. Impulsivity in potentially self-damaging behaviors: This criterion refers to impulsive
behaviors that can be harmful to oneself, such as reckless driving, substance abuse, binge
eating, or unsafe sexual practices.
5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats: People with BPD frequently engage in
self-harming behaviors or have recurrent thoughts of suicide. These behaviors are often
used as a means to regulate intense emotions or gain attention from others.
6. Affective instability: Individuals with BPD commonly experience rapid and intense mood
swings. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions, leading to frequent episodes of
anger, anxiety, or depression.
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness: People with BPD often describe a persistent sense of
emptiness or inner void. They may feel a profound lack of meaning or purpose in their
lives.
8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger: This criterion refers to
frequent and intense displays of anger that are disproportionate to the situation. Individuals
with BPD may struggle to control their anger and may engage in aggressive or violent
behaviors.
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms: Some
individuals with BPD may experience brief episodes of paranoia or dissociation during
times of stress.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of BPD requires the presence of at least five of
these criteria, and they must be persistent and not solely attributable to substance abuse
or another medical condition.
(706685) - DUE 24 July 2023
, a) Diagnostic criteria and hallmark features of Personality Disorder and Borderline
Personality Disorder:
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring
patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate significantly from cultural
expectations. These patterns typically manifest in multiple areas of an individual's life and
cause distress or impairment. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5) is widely used to diagnose personality disorders.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one specific type of personality disorder. It is
characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image,
and affect, as well as marked impulsivity. The DSM-5 outlines the following diagnostic
criteria for BPD:
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment: Individuals with BPD often have
intense fears of being abandoned or rejected. They may go to great lengths to prevent this,
such as making frantic efforts to maintain relationships or engaging in impulsive behaviors.
2. Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships: People with BPD may have unstable
relationships characterized by alternating idealization and devaluation of others. They may
also experience frequent conflicts and difficulties maintaining long-term relationships.
3. Identity disturbance: Individuals with BPD often struggle with a fragmented or unstable
sense of self. They may have an unclear understanding of their values, goals, and
preferences, leading to difficulties in decision-making and identity formation.
4. Impulsivity in potentially self-damaging behaviors: This criterion refers to impulsive
behaviors that can be harmful to oneself, such as reckless driving, substance abuse, binge
eating, or unsafe sexual practices.
5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats: People with BPD frequently engage in
self-harming behaviors or have recurrent thoughts of suicide. These behaviors are often
used as a means to regulate intense emotions or gain attention from others.
6. Affective instability: Individuals with BPD commonly experience rapid and intense mood
swings. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions, leading to frequent episodes of
anger, anxiety, or depression.
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness: People with BPD often describe a persistent sense of
emptiness or inner void. They may feel a profound lack of meaning or purpose in their
lives.
8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger: This criterion refers to
frequent and intense displays of anger that are disproportionate to the situation. Individuals
with BPD may struggle to control their anger and may engage in aggressive or violent
behaviors.
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms: Some
individuals with BPD may experience brief episodes of paranoia or dissociation during
times of stress.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of BPD requires the presence of at least five of
these criteria, and they must be persistent and not solely attributable to substance abuse
or another medical condition.
