Personality and Mood Disorders Q 104
Which statement about an individual with a personality disorder is true?
A. Psychotic behavior is common during acute episodes.
B. Prognosis for recovery is good with therapeutic intervention.
C. The individual typically remains in the mainstream of society, although he has problems in social and occupational roles.
D. The individual usually seeks treatment willingly for symptoms that are personally distressful.
Correct Answer: C. The individual typically remains in the mainstream of society, although he has problems in social and occupational roles.
An individual with a personality disorder usually is not hospitalized unless a coexisting Axis I psychiatric disorder is present. Generally, these individuals make marginal adjustments and remain in society, although they typically experience relationship and occupational problems related to their inflexible behaviors.
Option A: Personality disorders are chronic, lifelong patterns of behavior; acute episodes do not occur. Psychotic behavior is usually not common, although it can occur in either schizotypal personality disorder or borderline personality disorder.
Option B: Because these disorders are enduring and evasive and the individual is inflexible, the prognosis for recovery is unfavorable. Compared to mood disorders such as clinical depression and bipolar disorder, there have historically been relatively few studies on how to effectively treat personality disorders.
Option D: Generally, the individual does not seek treatment because he does not perceive problems with his own behavior. Distress can occur based on other people’s reaction to the individual’s behavior.