Summary of Chapter 12 of Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach Paper Example

Chapter twelve of the Barlow and Durand (2015) book "Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach" talks about personality disorders. The chapter is divided into four main sections including an overview of personality disorders, cluster A personality disorders, cluster B personality disorders, cluster C personality disorder, and a summary. The authors begin by providing an overview of personality with a significant focus on issues such as aspects of personality disorders, categorical and dimensional models, personality disorder clusters, statistics and development, gender difference, comorbidity and personality disorders under study.

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Barlow and Durand (2015) state that personality disorders can be understood by reviewing in an integrated model that identifies each and their vulnerabilities to the specific diseases. Personality disorders have common characteristics whereby the individuals endure and at the same time experiencing relatively stable approaches to relating and thinking. The person feels inflexible and maladaptive, and this causes impairment. Under the DSM-IV, personality disorders are classified as Axis 2 where a person is pervasive of inflexible and maladaptive behaviors.

Barlow and Durand (2015) go ahead to explain the differences between categorical and dimensional views of personality disorders. They suggest that categorical views of personality disorders are different based on the kind or type while dimensional aspects of the same are different based on the degree. In this case, when people define the mental illness as normal or abnormal, they tend to be dimensional as personality disorders vary depending on the personality traits exhibited by an individual. Therefore, these illnesses are different based on the degree. For instance, the authors denote that 60% of those who have personality disorders also exhibit one or two substance disorders.

When explaining about the statistics and development of personality disorders, Barlow and Durand (2015) note that there are differences in the prevalence rates of the diseases in different countries depending on the survey method use and populations surveyed. The general population will provide a different prevalence rate to that of a clinical setting. Some of the countries lack data on prevalence rates of personality disorders. However, the authors confirm that the rates are higher on inpatient and outpatient settings. These populations are profoundly impaired and tend to seek help at higher rates when compared to the general people.

Many of the people with personality disorders in cluster B have been described as highly presented in the crisis units and emergency rooms. The comorbidity of personality disorders is also high because 60% of people with substance use disorders also have personality disorders. Men personality disorders display traits that are more aggressive than women. For instance, men are more self-assertive and detached. On the other hand, women are submissive, insecure and emotional. The difference in characteristics between men and women explain why antisocial disorders are highly associated with men than women.

When defining personality disorders, Barlow and Durand (2015) state that the DSM-5 criteria should be used instead of the DSM-IV TR. The several changes from DSM-IV that clinicians should identify include the exclusion of the multiracial system and the utilization of the alternative model for personality disorders. The alternative model requires clinicians to identify greater impairment of personality functioning; there should be one or more pathological traits of personality; the patient should be relatively inflexible and pervasive. It is possible for the personality traits to be stable during adolescence or early adulthood. Mental disorders, substance use, medical condition, social-cultural environment, or developmental stage should not be used to explain personality disorders.

The personality disorders under study are in three clusters with different mental illnesses whose treatment options are based on the symptoms. The main difference is that the groups have personality disorders that are odd, dramatic and anxious respectively. Cluster A consists of personality disorders such as paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal. Cluster B comprises of borderline, histrionic, narcissist and antisocial personality disorders. Cluster C consists of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), avoidant, and dependent or pathological dependence on other people (Barlow &S Durand, 2015).

Reference

Barlow, D., & Durand, V. (2015). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach. 7th edition. Cengage Learning.