Psychiatric Disorders

ASN   250     PSYCHIATRIC     NURSING
                              Personality   Disorders
                     
                         
                                      1/10/2011

      Personality disorders are behaviors that people exhibits, that are different

      relating to other people and events that are relatively inflexible and that impair a person's ability to function socially.

• Behavior may be odd or eccentric, dramatic or erratic, or anxious or inhibited.
• Doctors consider the diagnosis when inappropriate thinking or behavior is repeated despite negative consequences.
• Drugs do not change people's personality traits, but psychotherapy may help people recognize their problem and change their socially undesirable behaviors.
      Everyone has characteristic patterns of perceiving and relating to other people and events (personality traits). That is, people tend to cope with stresses in an individual but consistent way. For example, some people respond to a troubling situation by seeking someone else's help; others prefer to deal with problems on their own. Some people minimize problems; others exaggerate them. Regardless of their usual style, however, mentally healthy people are likely to try an alternative approach if their first response is ineffective. ( Frish, L.E 2006)

      In contrast, people with a personality disorder are rigid and tend to respond inappropriately to problems, to the point that relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers are affected. These maladaptive responses usually begin in

      adolescence or early adulthood and do not change over time. Personality disorders vary in severity. They are usually mild and rarely severe.

      Most people with a personality disorder are distressed about their life and have problems with relationships at work or in social situations. Many people also have mood, anxiety, substance abuse, or eating disorders.

      People with a personality...