Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic associated with personality disorders?&#10;A) Feelings of distress an individual is causing others&#10;B) Overly flexible&#10;C) Inability to sustain meaningful relationships&#10;D) Increased concern about pleasing others

Accepted Answer

Inability to sustain meaningful relationships is a characteristic commonly associated with personality disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People with these disorders often struggle to maintain stable relationships due to difficulties with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal conflicts. While options A, B, and D may be present in some cases, they are not specific or exclusive to personality disorders.

Question 2

Individuals diagnosed with personality disorders tend to experience minimal pleasure in life and demonstrate extreme and persistent responses to everyday situations, interfering with occupational functioning. Which of the four core areas associated with the inner experience and behaviors of personality disorders does this represent?

A) Cognition
B) Affectivity
C) Impulse control
D) Interpersonal problems

B

Accepted Answer

Affectivity refers to the level and range of emotional experience and expression. Individuals with personality disorders often have difficulties regulating their emotions, experiencing emotions as intense and overwhelming, and displaying emotional responses that are inappropriate for the situation. This can lead to a lack of pleasure in life, as well as difficulties in occupational functioning due to emotional dysregulation.

Question 3

You are working with Pat on developing interpersonal relationships. During your sessions she demonstrates dramatic and erratic responses to past interpersonal relationships. When you attempt to discuss what happened in these past relationships she becomes intensely emotional about situations that you perceive to be out of proportion to the situation. As her emotions escalate she has difficulty calming down and enters into extreme black and white thinking. In addition, Pat often has difficulty at the end of your sessions, fearful that you are abandoning her and won't be here when she returns for her next appointment. Which of the following personality disorders best reflects Pat's situation?

A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Avoidant personality disorder
C) Borderline personality disorder
D) Schizotypal personality disorder

C

Accepted Answer

Pat demonstrates significant emotional dysregulation and intense, unstable relationships, which are hallmark symptoms of borderline personality disorder. Her fear of abandonment at the end of sessions is also a common feature of this disorder. Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion, while schizotypal personality disorder involves odd and eccentric behaviors and beliefs. Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by social anxiety and avoidance. None of these disorders fully capture Pat's presentation.

Question 4

As an occupational therapy practitioner, you decide to use an intervention that encourages the client to focus awareness nonjudgmentally on the present. Which approach does this best represent?&#10;A) Cognitive behavioral therapy&#10;B) Dialectical behavior therapy&#10;C) Anger management&#10;D) Mindfulness meditation

Accepted Answer

This intervention is a key aspect of mindfulness meditation, which encourages individuals to be fully present in the moment and observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment. Mindfulness meditation is often used as an intervention in occupational therapy to improve mental health and wellness.

Question 5

Which of the following is associated with the development of personality disorders?&#10;A) Research has identified specific genes related to personality disorders.&#10;B) Neuroimaging suggests no biological vulnerability toward these disorders.&#10;C) Temperament is a protective factor against the development of personality disorders.&#10;D) The baby/parent &#34;fit&#34; is crucial in the development of adaptive personalities.

Accepted Answer

The attachment theory highlights the importance of the baby/parent "fit" in the development of secure and adaptive personalities. Personality disorders are thought to arise from disruptions in attachment during childhood, such as neglect, abuse, or inconsistent parenting. While there is some evidence for genetic and biological influences on personality disorders, they are not as well-established as the importance of early attachment experiences. Temperament may also play a role, but it is not necessarily a protective factor against personality disorders.

Question 6

Individuals with personality disorders have difficulty engaging in meaningful roles and activities because of distortions in the way they interpret everyday situations. Which of the four core areas associated with the inner experience and behaviors of personality disorders does this represent?

A) Cognition
B) Affectivity
C) Impulse control
D) Interpersonal problems

Accepted Answer

Difficulty in engaging in meaningful roles and activities due to distortions in interpreting everyday situations refers to problems in cognition, which is one of the four core areas associated with personality disorders. Affectivity refers to emotional experiences and expression, impulse control refers to the ability to regulate behavior, and interpersonal problems refer to difficulties in relating to others.

Question 7

When working with Adrian, you notice his behavior is a little eccentric. He demonstrates difficulty trusting you and engaging in your recommended intervention. Whenever you make a recommendation, he questions the recommendation and is resistant to engaging. Which of the following best describes Adrian's situation?

A) Paranoid personality disorder
B) Avoidant personality disorder
C) Borderline personality disorder
D) Schizotypal personality disorder

Accepted Answer

Adrian's behavior, characterized by difficulty in trusting others and resistance to engaging in recommended interventions, aligns with Paranoid Personality Disorder. Individuals with this disorder often exhibit suspicion and distrust of others, questioning their motives and displaying reluctance to confide in or cooperate with others.

Deck 12: Personality Disorders