Personality Disorders
Caused by Emotional Revolt of the Soul
(March 2011 – URD
1. These disorders are a warning sign to
believers that they are about to become psychotic and need to rebound and get
back under the inculcation of Bible doctrine.
2. Whatever habits you have developed from
personality disorders, these become intensified and become characteristics of
your psychotic or neurotic problem.
3. E.R.S. Personality Disorders include:
Antisocial personality disorder, Histrionic personality disorder, Narcissistic
personality disorder, Passive-aggressive personality disorder. Personality
Disorders, formerly referred to as “character disorders”, are a class of
personality types and behaviors that the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
defines as “an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates
markedly from the expectations of the culture of the individual who exhibits
it”.
Additionally, personality disorders are
inflexible and pervasive across many situations, due in large part to the fact
that such behavior is ego-syntonic (i.e. the patterns are consistent with the
ego integrity of the individual) and are, therefore, perceived to be
appropriate by that individual. This behavior can result in the believer
adopting maladaptive coping skills, which may lead to personal problems that
induce extreme anxiety, distress and depression. In Personality Disorders
inflexible and pervasive behavioral patterns often cause serious personal and
social difficulties, as well as a general functional impairment. Rigid and
ongoing patterns of feeling, thinking and behavior are said to be caused by
underlying belief systems and these systems are referred to as fixed fantasies
or, “dysfunctional schemata”, (cognitive modules).
Personality Disorders are classified into
various clusters in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”,
fourth edition, used by the American Psychiatric Association, (APA), the World
Health Organization (WHO), and others:
Cluster A, (odd or eccentric disorders):
Cluster B, (dramatic, emotional or erratic
disorders):
Cluster C, (anxious or fearful disorders):
There
several other disorders that are not specified including Depressive,
Passive–aggressive, Sadistic and Self-defeating. In this study we will define
several of these disorders including Cluster B and C, (excluding Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder) and the unclassified disorder of Passive Aggressive Personality
Disorder.
a. Antisocial
Personality Disorder (
It includes:
1)
Irresponsible and antisocial behavior, including: lying, stealing, vandalism,
cruelty to animals, and cruelty to people.
2)
Criminal activity.
3)
Inability to be consistent academically or consistently hold a job.
4)
Irritable and aggressive activity in which one feels justified in having hurt,
maltreated, or stolen from others.
b. Borderline Personality
Disorder, (BPD), or “emotionally unstable personality disorder” is
characterized by extreme “black and white” thinking, or splitting, chaos and instability in
relationships, self-image, identity and behavior often leading to self-harm and
impulsivity. Borderline personality disorder occurs in 3 times as many females
as males. BPD is prolonged disturbance of personality function in a person
(generally over the age of eighteen years, although it is also found in
adolescents), characterized by depth and variability of moods. The disorder
often manifests itself in idealization and devaluation episodes, as well as a
disturbance in the individual’s sense of self. In extreme cases, this
disturbance in the sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation. BPD is
closely related to traumatic events during childhood and to Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD). Individuals with BPD tend to experience frequent,
strong and long-lasting states of aversive tension, often triggered by
perceived rejection, being alone or perceived failure. Individuals with BPD may
show lability (changeability) between anger and anxiety or between depression
and anxiety and temperamental sensitivity to emotive stimuli. Individuals with
BPD can be very sensitive to the way others treat them, reacting strongly to
perceived criticism or hurtfulness. Their feelings about others often shift
from positive to negative, generally after a disappointment or perceived threat
of losing someone. Self-image can also change rapidly from extremely positive
to extremely negative. Impulsive behaviors are common, including alcohol or
drug abuse, unsafe sex, gambling and recklessness in general.
They can be hyper-alert to signs of rejection or not being valued and tend
toward insecure, avoidant or ambivalent, or fearfully preoccupied patterns in
relationships. They tend to view the world generally as dangerous and
malevolent, and tend to view themselves as powerless, vulnerable, unacceptable
and unsure in self-identity. These behaviors are traced to inner pain and
turmoil, powerlessness and defensive reactions, or limited coping and
communication skills. BPD is identified as a pervasive pattern of instability
of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, as well as marked
impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
It is characterized by five (or more) of the
following:
1) Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined
abandonment.
2) Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently
unstable self-image or sense of self.
3) A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal
relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and
devaluation.
4) Impulsivity in at least two areas that are
potentially self-damaging (e.g., promiscuous sex, eating disorders, binge
eating, substance abuse, reckless driving).
5) Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats or
self-injuring behavior such as cutting, interfering with the healing of scars
(excoriation) or picking at oneself.
6) Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of
mood, (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability or anxiety usually
lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7) Chronic feelings of emptiness.
8) Inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling anger
(e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
9) Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation,
delusions or severe dissociative symptoms.
c. Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD), is a
condition in which people act in a very emotional and dramatic way that draws
attention to themselves. It is defined by the American Psychiatric Association
as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality
and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and
inappropriate seductiveness, usually beginning in early adulthood. These
individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious. They may be
inappropriately sexually provocative, express strong emotions with an
impressionistic style, and be easily influenced by others. Associated features
may include egocentrism, self-indulgence, continuous longing for appreciation,
and persistent manipulative behavior to achieve their own needs. This is also
classified as hysterical personality disorder. People with this disorder
constantly seek or demand reassurance, approval, or praise from others and are
uncomfortable in situations where they are not the center of attention.
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by rapidly shifting and
shallow expressions of emotions.
These believers crave novelty, stimulation,
excitement, and quickly become bored with normal routine. Such believers are
quick to form friendships, but once the relationship is established, they
become egocentric and inconsiderate. These believers show little interest in
intellectual achievement and are indifferent to analytical thinking.
Believers in this status are impressionable and easily
influenced by other people and suckers for the latest fad. Such believers show
an initial positive response to any strong authority figure who they think can
provide a magical solution to their problems. Such believers are easily
disillusioned. Their behavior is overly reactive and intensively expressed.
Minor stimuli give rise to emotional excitement. They are very self-centered
with very little or no tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification; they
want immediate gratification.
There are seven general characteristics of HPD:
1)
Constantly seeking or demanding reassurance, approval, or praise.
2)
Inappropriately sexually seductive in appearance and behavior.
3)
Overly concerned with physical attractiveness.
4)
Displaying rapidly shifting and shallow emotional expression.
5)
Expressing emotion with inappropriate exaggeration.
6)
Temper tantrums.
7)
Frequent flights into romantic fantasy.
d. Narcissistic Personality
Disorder (NPD), is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues
of personal adequacy, power, prestige and vanity. It is closely linked to
self-centeredness. It is a condition in which people have an inflated sense of
self-importance and an extreme preoccupation with themselves. This person has
an extreme interest in their own life and problems that prevent them from
caring about other people. They are hypersensitive about self and insensitive
about others. They have an extreme or obsessive interest in their own
appearance.
In narcissistic personality disorders, the
Christian believes that his or her problems are unique and can only be
understood by special persons whom they idolize. They also use “splitting” as a
central defense mechanism. They do this to preserve their self-esteem, by
seeing the self as purely good and the others as purely bad. The use of
splitting also implies the use of other defense mechanisms, namely devaluation,
shame, idealization and denial.
The pattern of this disorder includes:
1) They are
hypersensitive to evaluation by others.
2) They fall apart and
get angry when criticized by others.
3) They lack empathy or
inability to recognize how others feel.
4) They react to
criticism from others with rage, humiliation, shame, even if it is not
expressed.
5) They take advantage
of others to achieve their own ends.
6) They have a grandiose
sense of self-importance and expect or even demand to be noticed as special or
to be treated as special.
7) They Exaggerate achievements and talents.
8) They are
preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty, intelligence, or ideal
love.
9) They have a sense of
entitlement (they think they are entitled to something) and unrealistic
expectation.
10) They require
constant attention, live for admiration, and are preoccupied with feelings of
bitterness, vindictiveness, implacability, and sometimes jealousy.
e. Avoidant
Personality Disorder (AvPD), or “anxious personality disorder” is
characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of
inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social
interaction. People with AvPD often consider themselves to be socially inept or
personally unappealing, and avoid social interaction for fear of being
ridiculed, humiliated, rejected, or disliked. Believers
with AvPD are preoccupied with their own shortcomings and form relationships
with others only if they believe they will not be rejected. Loss and rejection
are so painful that these individuals will choose to be lonely rather than risk
trying to connect with others. AvPD includes: Hypersensitivity to criticism or
rejection, self-imposed social isolation, extreme shyness or anxiety in social
situations, though feels a strong desire for close relationships, avoidance of
physical contact because it has been associated with an unpleasant or painful
stimulus, avoidance of interpersonal relationships, feelings of inadequacy,
severe low self-esteem, self-loathing, mistrust of others, emotional distancing
related to intimacy, highly self-conscious, self-critical about their problems
relating to others, has problems in occupational functioning, lonely
self-perception, although others may find the relationship with them
meaningful, feeling inferior to others. In some more extreme cases like
agoraphobia, they utilize fantasy as a form of escapism and to interrupt
painful thoughts.
AvPD is characterized
by at least four of the following:
1) Persistent and pervasive feelings of tension and apprehension.
2) Belief that one is socially inept, personally
unappealing, or inferior to others.
3) Excessive preoccupation with being criticized or
rejected in social situations.
4) Unwillingness to become involved with people unless
certain of being liked.
5) Restrictions in lifestyle because of need to have
physical security.
6) Avoidance of social or occupational activities that
involve significant interpersonal contact because of fear of criticism,
disapproval, or rejection.
f. Dependent Personality
Disorder (DPD), is a long-term (chronic) condition in which people depend
too much on others to meet their emotional and physical needs. People with this
disorder do not trust their own ability to make decisions. They may be very
upset by separation and loss. They may go to great lengths, even suffering
abuse, to stay in a relationship. These individuals are fixated in the past.
They maintain youthful impressions; they retain unsophisticated ideas and
childlike views of the people toward whom they remain totally submissive.
Individuals with DPD see relationships with significant others as necessary for
survival. They do not define themselves as able to function independently; they
have to be in supportive relationships to be able to manage their lives. In order
to establish and maintain these life-sustaining relationships, people with DPD
will avoid even covert expressions of anger. They will be more than meek and
docile; they will be admiring, loving, and willing to give their all. They will
be loyal, unquestioning, and affectionate. They will be tender and considerate
toward those upon whom they depend. Individuals with DPD see themselves as
inadequate and helpless; they believe they are in a cold and dangerous world
and are unable to cope on their own. They define themselves as inept and
abdicate self-responsibility; they turn their fate over to others. These
individuals will decline to be ambitious and believe that they lack abilities,
virtues and attractiveness.
It includes seven characteristics:
1)
They are unable to make everyday decisions without an excessive amount of
advice.
2)
They allow others to make most of his or her important decisions.
3)
This believer agrees with people even when he or she believes that they are
wrong because they fear rejection.
4)
This believer feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone; hence, goes to great
lengths to avoid being alone.
5) This believer feels
devastated when close relationships end to the point of excessive emotion being
out of control. They always blame the other
person and never see their own flaws; projection.
6)
Preoccupation with fears of being abandoned or rejected and having to care for
themselves.
7)
Is devastated by criticism or disapproval.
g. Passive-aggressive Personality Disorder (PAPD),
is characterized by covert obstructionism, procrastination, stubbornness, and
inefficiency. Such behavior is a manifestation of passively expressed
underlying aggression. It is a pervasive pattern of negative attitudes and
passive, sometimes obstructionist, resistance to following through with
expectations in interpersonal or occupational situations. It can manifest
itself as learned helplessness, procrastination, stubbornness, resentment,
sullenness, or deliberate/repeated failure to accomplish requested tasks for
which one is, often explicitly, responsible. It is a pervasive pattern of
negativistic attitudes and passive resistance to demands for adequate
performance, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts,
as indicted by four, or more, of the following: Passively resists fulfilling
routine social and occupational tasks, complains of being misunderstood and
unappreciated by others, is sullen and argumentative, unreasonably criticizes
and scorns authority, expresses envy and resentment toward those apparently
more fortunate, voices exaggerated and persistent complaints of personal
misfortune, or alternates between hostile defiance and contrition.
This
person often makes a good first impression, yet they:
1)
Procrastinate, putting things off that need to be done, so that deadlines are
not met.
2)
Become sulky, irritable, or argumentative when asked to do something he or she
does not want to do.
3)
Protest without justification that others are making unreasonable demands on
him or her.
4)
Avoid obligations by claiming to have forgotten.
5)
Believe that they are doing a better job than others think they are doing.
6)
Resent useful suggestions from others on how to be more productive.
7)
Obstruct the efforts of others by failing to do his or her share of the work.
8)
Unreasonably criticize or scorn people in a position of authority.