SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “PERSONALITY, PATHOLOGICAL”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Inpatient treatment of severe disruptive behaviour disorders with risperidone and milieu therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the therapeutic impact of adding risperidone to milieu therapy of latency-aged inpatients with severe disruptive disorders. METHODS: The charts of 90 latency-aged patients consecutively admitted to a psychiatry ward were reviewed retrospectively. Fifteen of these patients received risperidone treatment, were nonpsychotic, and did not suffer from pervasive developmental disorder (12 male, 3 female; mean age 9.99 years, SD 1.76). Their scores on the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were compared at admission, before risperidone treatment, and at discharge. RESULTS: All subjects were diagnosed with a disruptive behavioural disorder. Ten (66.67%) had additional learning difficulties, and 13 (86.7%) had pathological personality traits. The characteristics of the sample suggested borderline pathology or multiple complex developmental disorder. Following a mean of 38 days after admission (SD 22.3), the patients received risperidone for a mean of 46 days (SD 28.2) before being discharged. The mean maintenance dose of risperidone was 1.27 mg daily (SD 0.36). Mean CGAS scores increased from admission (21.9, SD 7.0) to before risperidone treatment (26.8, SD 7.6, P < 0.0001) and to discharge (50.3, SD 5.3, P < 0.0001). Only 2 patients had documented side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose risperidone used adjunctively to milieu therapy led to statistically and clinically significant additional improvement in the functioning of hospitalized latency-aged children with severe behavioural disorders. Low-dose risperidone is a safe and effective adjunct to milieu therapy for treating this population in inpatient settings. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Does childhood trauma cause personality disorders in adults?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between trauma in childhood and personality disorders in adulthood. METHOD: A review of the literature was conducted. RESULTS: The reported associations between trauma and personality pathology are illuminated by the following research findings: 1) personality is heritable; 2) only a minority of patients with severe personality disorders report childhood trauma; and 3) children are generally resilient, and traumatic experiences do not consistently lead to psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The role of trauma in the personality disorders is best understood in the context of gene-environment interactions.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

A conceptual model and case study for the psychological assessment of hysterical pseudo-seizures with the Rorschach.

Conceptual models are being increasingly utilized to guide psychological assessment of complex clinical problems. In this article, I present a conceptual model to direct the assessment of personality processes involved in producing hysterical pseudo-seizures. Pathological personality processes present in hysterical reactions are outlined. Rorschach parameters that have been validated and that are therefore considered good indicators of the relevant personality processes are presented. A case study of a patient with both documented genuine and hysterical pseudo-seizures demonstrates use of the model. I offer a treatment plan that is related to the psychological structure of the patient. Use of this model may improve psychological consultation in medical settings.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Personality disorders in late life. Understanding and overcoming the gap in research.

A review of the literature on personality disorders (PD) in late life reveals fewer research papers than those found for PD in younger adults and for other major late-life psychiatric diagnoses. The authors suggest that this gap is largely due to the difficult and inconsistent diagnostic process for late-life PDs. Diagnosis is complicated by the frequent unavailability and/or unreliability of longitudinal data, lack of age-adjusted diagnostic instruments, and failure of the current Axis II nosology to account for age-related issues, including changes in social functioning, and the effects of comorbid illness and cognitive impairment. They propose that the development of a geriatric subclassification for PD, along with improved clinical documentation of personality and data from dimensional instruments for both normal and pathologic personalities, would provide a more reliable, valid, and geriatric-friendly diagnostic process.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Is cocoa a psychotropic drug? Psychopathologic study of a population of subjects self-identified as chocolate addicts].

The aim of this work was to search for eating disorders, DSM III-R Axis I mental disorders, personality disorders, and addictive behavior, in self-labeled "chocolate addicts". Subjects were recruited through advertisements placed in a university and a hospital. Fifteen subjects were included, 3 men and 12 women aged between 18 and 49. Most of them were not overweight, although 7 thought they had a weight problem. They consumed an average of 50 g per day of pure cacao and, for 13 subjects, this consumption was lasting since childhood or adolescence. The psychological effects of chocolate, as indicated by the subjects, consisted in feelings of increased energy or increased concentration ability, and in an anxiolytic effect during stress. Seven subjects described minor withdrawal symptoms. None of the subjects reached the thresholds for eating disorders on the EAT and BULIT scales. The structured interview (MINI) identified an important ratio of subjects with a history of major depressive episode (13/15), and one woman was currently experiencing a major depressive episode. Four people suffered, or had suffered from anxiety disorders. Although only one subject satisfied all criteria for a personality disorder on the DIP-Q, seven displayed some pathological personality features. The self-labeled "chocoholics" do not seem to suffer from eating disorders, but may represent a population of psychologically vulnerable and depression--or anxiety--prone people. They seem to use chocolate as a light psychotropic drug able to relieve some of their distress. The amount of cacao consumed, although very chronically, remains moderate, and they rarely display other addictive behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Relations between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and personality: beyond Axis I-Axis II comorbidity.

Most research on relations between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and personality addresses only comorbidity rates between OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). We first investigated empirical OCD-OCPD relations, but then also examined patterns of dimensional traits in OCD patients versus students and general outpatients. Results did not support a specific OCD-OCPD relation and the implications of this conclusion are discussed. Regarding traits, OCD patients shared with other patients elevated negative affectivity and lower positive affectivity. Differences on several lower order dimensions, including lower scores on manipulativeness, mistrust, and disinhibition distinguished the personality profile of OCD patients from others. Also noteworthy was a pattern of very low self-image for OCD patients, as suggested by the combination of low self-esteem and low entitlement scores. Overall, OCD patients showed a more specific pattern of personality pathology than did general outpatients, who were elevated more generally across personality disorders and negative affectivity scales.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reported chronic insomnia is independent of poor sleep as measured by electroencephalography.

OBJECTIVE: Several behavioral, physiological, and subjective variables were examined in subjects reporting chronic insomnia (IN group) and subjects with no complaint of insomnia (NC group) to determine factors predictive of poor sleep as measured by electroencephalography (EEG sleep). METHODS: A total of 177 subjects (121 in the IN group and 56 in the NC group) were evaluated on the basis of EEG sleep, subjective sleep, sleepiness, performance, mood, personality, and metabolic parameters during a 36-hour laboratory stay. RESULTS: Equal percentages of subjects in each group had 0, 1, or 2 nights of poor EEG sleep, indicating that the IN group was not more likely to have impaired sleep in the laboratory. Results of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory showed that subjects in the IN group had more pathological personality profiles, and results of laboratory studies showed that these subjects had worse mood ratings, less subjective sleepiness, poorer memory performance, and longer midafternoon sleep latencies. Subjects in the IN group also rated their laboratory sleep as poorer in quality with more time awake after sleep onset and longer sleep latencies, but no differences in EEG sleep were observed. Poor nights of EEG sleep were associated with being male, increasing age, and a history of more time awake after sleep onset; among the laboratory tests, poor EEG sleep was associated with worse mood ratings, poorer memory performance, longer sleep latencies (as indicated by higher scores on the Multiple Sleep Latency Test), higher sleep/wake ratios for metabolic parameters, lower ratings of sleep quality, and longer perceived sleep latencies. CONCLUSIONS: A history of chronic insomnia does not predict poor EEG sleep. Both chronic insomnia and poor EEG sleep are associated independently with dysphoria, hyperarousal, diminished waking function, and negative subjective sleep quality. Separate arousal and sleep systems are posited to account for these results.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

MMPI-2 based subgroups of veterans with combat-related PTSD: differential patterns of symptom change after treatment.

Considerable research has focused on the use of the MMPI to assess posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through identification of mean profile configurations and the development of PTSD subscales. Little work, however, has addressed the heterogeneity of profiles evident in PTSD populations. This study investigated the MMPI-2 profiles of 158 Australian treatment-seeking Vietnam veterans with combat-related PTSD to identify distinct subgroups. Three robust subgroups were identified on the basis of their MMPI-2 profile and compared on PTSD and associated symptomatology. These subgroups consisted of a mild PTSD group with subclinical personality pathology, and two severe PTSD groups that differed in levels of personality disturbance and general psychopathology. Most notably, differences between these latter two groups occurred in the areas of externalization, alienation, and propensity for acting out. These groups were labeled as subclinical, trauma profile, and global. The groups demonstrated significant differences in the patterns of recovery after treatment. The subclinical group demonstrated little change after treatment. In contrast, the trauma profile and global groups both improved, although the trauma profile group demonstrated greater PTSD symptom reduction than the global group.

Australia↗

PubMed2001

Using DSM axis II information to predict outcome in short-term individual psychotherapy.

The present study considered three methods of using DSM Axis II information to examine the effect of personality disorder on outcome in two forms of short-term, individual psychotherapy (interpretive and supportive). The first method involved examining whether the presence of any personality disorder influenced treatment outcome. The second method involved examining the effect of the number of personality disorders on outcome. The third involved examining outcome for specific personality disorders. The study found that a diagnosis of any personality disorder did not influence the outcome of therapy. In contrast, the number of personality disorders was significantly related to outcome at post-therapy and at 12-month follow-up. The findings indicated that a greater number of personality disorders was associated with less favorable outcome across both forms of therapy. This supports the notion that personality pathology is more severe when it involves a greater number of personality disorders. In an exploratory set of analyses, the study also found some evidence of differences in outcome for specific personality disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[Personality disorders in the elderly: diagnostic aspects].

This article describes the usefulness of the DSM personality disorders. In conclusion the presence of personality disorders during a lifetime is not always an enduring pattern of (the same) conduct disorders. Despite this, the DSM describes a static course of mainly interpersonal behaviour. Next to this, the utility of the DSM-Axis-II assessment and general personality assessment in relation to older adults will be discussed. In general these instruments are not very suitable for the assessment of the disposition and gravity of personality disorders in the elderly. It is proposed to develop specific profiles with regard to personality disorders in the elderly by applying the Delphi-technique on existing personality assessment. A Delphi panel of experts in the field of personality pathology in older adults can be asked to mention a certain personality disorder and describe this on a certain personality selfreport list, like the shortened version of the TCI.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Personality disorders in patients with panic disorder: association with childhood anxiety disorders, early trauma, comorbidity, and chronicity.

The rates of comorbid personality disorders in patients with panic disorder are reported to be elevated, have an adverse impact on the response to treatment, and increase the likelihood of relapse on treatment discontinuation. We examined the rates of personality disorders in panic disorder patients in a longitudinal, naturalistic study of panic disorder. Of 100 panic disorder patients studied, 42 met criteria for at least one personality disorder as determined by the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-Revised (PDQ-R). The presence of a personality disorder as determined by the PDQ-R was associated with a past history of childhood anxiety disorders, comorbidity with other anxiety disorders and depression, and a chronic, unremitting course of panic disorder in adulthood. The presence of a personality disorder in these patients was not significantly associated with a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood. Our findings support the notion that an anxiety diathesis, demonstrated by significant difficulties with anxiety in childhood, influences the development of apparent personality dysfunction in panic patients. In other cases, personality pathology may reflect the presence of comorbid anxiety disorders or depression. The association of personality disorder in panic patients with a more unremitting course of illness underscores the importance of axis II pathology in understanding the longitudinal course of panic disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Pathological gambling and personality disorders: an exploratory study with the IPDE.

This article describes the most frequent personality disorders related to pathological gambling. Participants included 50 pathological gamblers assessed with the IPDE, and 50 normative subjects from the general population with the same demographic features (age, sex, and socioeconomic level). Thirty-two percent of the clinical sample (vs. the 8% of the normative sample) showed at least one personality disorder. The most prevalent disorders were Borderline (16%), followed by Antisocial, Paranoid, Narcissistic, and Non-specified (8% each). Gamblers with personality disorders presented an average of 1.5 disorders and they reported higher gambling severity and more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse. The implications of this study for clinical practice and research are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comorbid personality impairment in body dysmorphic disorder.

Personality impairment was evaluated in 17 body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) patients undergoing a treatment study of clomipramine versus desipramine. Semistructured interviews were administered using both categorical (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM [SCID II]) and dimensional (Dimensional Assessment of Personality Impairment [DAPI]) methods. Personality measures were also correlated with a range of clinical variables (severity of BDD and depressive symptoms, age, duration of illness, and response to treatment). A secondary aim of the study was to provide preliminary validation for the DAPI. Consistent with previous studies, BDD patients showed considerable personality pathology. By SCID II, patients met criteria for a mean of 2.53 personality disorder diagnoses; 87% of patients met criteria for at least 1 diagnosis and 53% for more than 1. Cluster C diagnoses were the most common. Mean scores for the DAPI were 2.63 (3 = mild impairment) to 6.41 (7 = severe impairment), averaging 5.26 (5 = moderate). With regard to the DAPI, the results provided preliminary evidence of good reliability and validity. Moreover, both personality measures were highly intercorrelated. Although SCID II diagnoses correlated with baseline depression (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD]) scores, there were few other significant correlations between personality and other clinical variables. Of note, however, treatment responders demonstrated less personality impairment than nonresponders. The finding that personality measures were highly intercorrelated but, on the whole, not well correlated with other clinical measures supports the distinct and dissociable nature of personality phenomena in BDD. Despite the small sample size, these results suggest that personality impairment appears to be significant factor in BDD and may even play a role in treatment response.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Personality profile in adult female fragile X carriers: assessed with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Profile (MMPI).

To assess if the higher incidence of psychiatric morbidity in fragile X carriers is related to a particular pathological personality profile, we obtained a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Profile from 11 normally intelligent (female) fragile X carriers. The sample mean for the clinical and validity scales all fell within the normal range. Although no pathological profile was found, some unexpected results emerged: low scores for the scales "schizophrenia" and "social introversion" and a so-called faking-good profile on the validity scales. This combination suggests that the subjects might not be aware of some personality characteristics in these areas. Implications for further research are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Medically unexplained symptoms].

Patients with physical symptoms for which no medical explanation can be found are relatively common in general practice. Patients with medically unexplained symptoms are frequently frustrating to physicians both in primary and secondary care and utilize health sources disproportionately. They frequently attend both primary care units and hospitals and are usually not satisfied with the care they receive. Medically unexplained symptoms in patient populations are strongly associated with psychiatric pathology and with anxiety and depression in particular. They are also linked to personality pathology, childhood adversity, adult trauma or medically unexplained symptoms in childhood. The predictive value of alexithymia in determining these symptoms is controversial. Patients who have high negative affectivity or neuroticism tend to score high on measures of physical symptoms. These symptoms have a high degree of co-occurrence. The same person may meet the diagnostic criteria for several functional somatic syndromes simultaneously. The clinician should be aware of the cultural and social shaping of the bodily experience of these patients and hence acknowledge the somatic nature and reality of the symptoms. The clinician should make the person feel understood and establish a positive collaborative relationship. This would enable him/her to correct misconceptions about the disease and give a positive explanation of symptoms. Antidepressant therapy and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy have been proved to be moderately effective in this group of patients. Because of the high disability that might be caused by these symptoms, psychiatrists and primary and secondary care physicians should pay careful attention to this clinical condition. These symptoms may also aid us in challenging the long-held idea of mind-body dualism which is inherent in Western biomedicine.

English Abstract↗

PubMed1992

Anorexia nervosa as manifested in Russia.

The authors describe current theoretical and clinical conceptualizations and treatment of anorexia nervosa in Russia, based on their experience in the follow-up of 800 patients. Three-quarters of the patients exhibited anorexia nervosa linked with a border-line state, and one-quarter associated with schizophrenia. Different relationships to dysmorphophobic fears were observed in the different anorexic groups. In the border-line group, follow-up study indicated that the clinical symptoms of anorexia nervosa were significantly reduced. However, the disorder preserved its connection with dysmorphophobic fears even in the remote stages of the disease, and in later stages there was an occurrence of pathological personality changes. In the second group, from the very beginning, anorexia nervosa in schizophrenia was closely connected with affective disorders, pathological body sensations, hypochondriacal complaints, and a gradual personality deterioration. As the schizophrenic defect increased, anorexia nervosa was reduced to an exhausted form of vomiting behaviour, and lost its connection with dysmorphophobic experiences.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Personality factors and pathological gambling.

Pathological gambling is a disorder in which personality factors are thought to be important. Therefore, we compared 19 male pathological gamblers with 18 male normal controls for their scores on 3 personality questionnaires. Pathological gamblers were found to have significantly higher psychoticism and neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire than controls. Gamblers also had significantly higher total hostility scores on the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire. The possible implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An MCMI cluster typology of obsessive-compulsives: a measure of personality characteristics and its relationship to treatment participation, compliance and outcome in behavior therapy.

The two-fold purpose of this investigation was to (a) define personality subtypes among patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and (b) examine the relationship between the resulting typology and treatment participation, compliance and outcome of OCD patients treated with behavior therapy, using exposure and response prevention. A hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was performed on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) scale scores of 137 OCD patients seeking outpatient treatment; four cluster types emerged. Patients' OCD symptom severity was assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Patients with no evident personality pathology and those with dependent qualities demonstrated the best overall outcome. Patients whose personalities indicated particular difficulties with interpersonal interaction were most likely to refuse behavior therapy and, among these patients who engaged in treatment, evidenced no reduction in OCD symptoms at posttreatment and follow-up. Patients with histrionic/borderline traits showed symptom reductions at posttreatment, but did not maintain their treatment gains at follow-up. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗