Describe the three clusters of DSM-5 personality disorders and provide an explanation of each personality disorder that belongs to each cluster. What adjectives are generally used to describe each cluster?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Sample Answer: Cluster A personality disorders include paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. People with paranoid personality disorder are excessively mistrustful and suspicious of others, without any justification. People with schizoid personality disorder show a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotions in interpersonal situations. People with schizotypal personality disorder behave in ways that would seem unusual to many of us, and they tend to be suspicious and to have odd beliefs. Cluster B personality disorders include antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. People with antisocial personality disorder are characterized as having a history of failing to comply with social norms. They also tend to be irresponsible, impulsive, and deceitful. People with borderline personality disorder lead tumultuous lives. Their moods and relationships are unstable, and usually they have a poor self-image. These people often feel empty and are at great risk of dying by their own hands. Individuals with histrionic personality disorder tend to be overly dramatic and often seem almost to be acting; they are inclined to express their emotions in an exaggerated fashion, for example, hugging someone they have just met or crying uncontrollably during a sad movie. They also tend to be vain, self-centered, and uncomfortable when they are not in the limelight. People with narcissistic personality disorder have an unreasonable sense of self-importance and are so preoccupied with themselves that they lack sensitivity and compassion for other people. Cluster C personality disorders include avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. People with avoidant personality disorder are extremely sensitive to the opinions of others and therefore avoid most relationships. Their extremely low self-esteem, coupled with a fear of rejection, causes them to be limited in their friendships and dependent on those they feel comfortable with. People with dependent personality disorder rely on others to make ordinary decisions as well as important ones, which results in an unreasonable fear of abandonment. People who have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are characterized by a fixation on things being done "the right way." Although many might envy their persistence and dedication, this preoccupation with details prevents them from completing much of anything. Cluster A personality disorders are generally described as odd or eccentric. Cluster B personality disorders are generally described as people who are dramatic, emotional, or erratic. Cluster C disorders are generally described as people who are anxious and fearful.