Someone I know has 5 of the symptoms of each schizotypal and borderline personality disorders and 7 of the avoidant personality disorder. That's enough for an armchair diagnosis in all 3. The self destructive behaviors were not recurring, being only one or 2 episodes each of the borderline type, and being mostly in the past. Currently has episodic (rather than ongoing) and mild to moderate magical thinking, temper/anger/rage, suspiciousness, dissassociative state, and many avoidant behaviors. This person is not dellusional or psychotic and has none of the characteristics of the other personality disorders such as paranoid, schizoid, anti-social, histrionic, narcissistic, dependant or OCPD. The suspiciousness and avoidant behaviors are based on past negative experiences. Is there a differential diagnosis that includes all of these qualities? Or is this just a milder personality disorder. No cut and paste. Provide experience or education and links please. THanks.
2007-02-17 13:04:29 · 3 answers · asked by ? 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
To clarify--the avoidant behaviors are ongoing but the person behaviors normally with others. Is ok one one one, small groups and controlled situations. Otherwise very avoidant.
2007-02-17 13:08:03 · update #1
Did you have "your friend" take one of thise on line personality tests? There are two main rules in psychology: don't diagnose your self and don't take the DSM IV personally. Everyone displays a few symptoms of different disorders, making it seem like they could be diagnosed with everything. That is why doc's get paid the big bucks to do the diagnosing for us. There are a lot of things that must be taken into account, besides past and present symptoms. Like how much does it effect thier life and thier mental stability.
The on-line tests are fun to take, but they are not ment to be taken in place of seeking a real proffesional opinion. I've taken them many times just for fun. Half the time they test results are no where near what I have been daignosed as.
If your friend is truly meeting these criteria then chances are they should consider finding themselves a good therapist. I won't say that having several co-morbid diagnosis is not possible (since I have been diagnosed with sever depressive disorder, PTSD cluster B traits and GAD) but chances are not all of those will be what you friend is oficially diagnosed with.
2007-02-17 14:50:10 · answer #1 · answered by ragtad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately Personality Disorders are rarely clean or discrete entitities. For instance, a person could easily be diagnosed with two more more disorders. In fact, its rare when one diagnosis fits perfectly. Personality disorders are not diagnosed for persons not yet 18 years of age... so I'd need to know that for starters..... The issue would be greatly clarified if the person underwent a structured interview such as the SIDP and completed objective personality assessments such as the PAI and/or MMPI-2. In this manner, the person's responses to could compared to numerous known clinical groups. I would be wary of your assessment of what constitutes various symptoms as well i.e. w/o clinical training your assessment of what comprises "magical thinking" may not be that at all.
R
2007-02-17 13:17:49 · answer #2 · answered by ciscoan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say definately a personality disorder
2007-02-17 13:16:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋