Authentic and Verified Answers
Personality disorders involve: - -"an enduring pattern of inner experience and
behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture" per the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
-pervasive unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning, and behaving
-usually begins by late adolescence or early adulthood and causes distress or problems
in functioning
-affect at least two of these areas:
• Way of thinking about oneself and others
• Way of responding emotionally
• Way of relating to other people
• Way of controlling one's behavior
-Diagnosis is only applicable to individuals 18 or older
• People under 18, personalities are still developing
-3 clusters
• A, B, C
-occur in 10-20% of the general population and about 50% of psychiatric clients
personality disorders should not be diagnosed unless: - the symptoms are long-
standing and impact functioning.
Cluster A - Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric
thinking or behavior.
-PARANOID PERSONALITY DISORDER
• long-standing, pervasive mistrust or suspicion of others and their motives
• may refuse to take responsibility for their feelings, often assigning responsibility to
others
, • may appear angry, irritable, or hostile, perceiving innocent remarks as personal insults
or attacks
-SCHIZOID
• lifelong pattern of social withdrawal, introversion, and discomfort with social
interaction
• difficulty reading social cues and may have an inability to find pleasure in most
activities
• Affect is bland and constricted and others may perceive their behaviors as cold,
indifferent, lonely, or isolated
-SCHIZOTYPAL
• often appear odd to others
• may dress peculiarly and exhibit magical thinking, odd notions, illusions, ideas of
reference, and derealization
• emotional responses may be flat or inappropriate
Rico is a 30-year-old who is referred to the clinic by his wife, Tracy. Rico and Tracy have
been married for eight years. She states that in the past year, his behaviors have become
disquieting. He constantly accuses her of cheating on him. He often takes her phone and scrolls
through her calls, texts, and social media accounts. He is suspicious about texts she receives
from coworkers and other acquaintances. He starts frequent arguments with her about where
she has been and who she was with, and often replies to her responses with sarcastic, "mean"
comments. Tracy is concerned about Rico's paranoid behavior.
Based on DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022) criteria, does Rico meet diagnostic criteria for paranoid
personality disorder?
yes
no
unable to determine - No
Rationale: Although Rico meets diagnostic criteria of preoccupation about his wife's
loyalty, reads into benign events, and has suspicions of his wife's fidelity, these symptoms have