Personality Disorders Practice Questions

Q: What is the cardinal feature of antisocial personality disorder?

Violation of rules of society. **Explanation:** **Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)** is a Cluster B personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. 1. **Why Option A is correct:** The cardinal feature of ASPD is a chronic failure to conform to social norms and legal codes. Individuals with ASPD lack a "moral compass" or conscience, leading to repeated acts that are grounds for arrest, deceitfulness (repeated lying/conning), impulsivity, and a profound **lack of remorse** for their actions. 2. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Option B (Attention-seeking behavior):** This is the hallmark of **Histrionic Personality Disorder**. These individuals feel uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention and often use physical appearance or provocative behavior to draw focus. * **Option C (Unstable interpersonal relationships):** This is the defining feature of **Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)**. BPD is characterized by a "stable instability" in relationships, self-image, and affect, often involving frantic efforts to avoid abandonment. * **Option D (Grandiose behavior):** This is characteristic of **Narcissistic Personality Disorder**. While both ASPD and Narcissism involve a lack of empathy, Narcissists primarily seek admiration and feel entitled, whereas those with ASPD are more focused on exploitation and rule-breaking. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Age Criteria:** A diagnosis of ASPD cannot be made before age **18**. * **Precursor:** There must be evidence of **Conduct Disorder** with onset before age 15. * **Gender:** It is significantly more common in **males**. * **Key Association:** High correlation with substance abuse and "psychopathy" (though psychopathy is a more severe subset).

Q: A characteristic feature of schizoid personality is:

Emotional coldness. **Explanation:** **Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD)** is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. **Why "Emotional Coldness" is Correct:** The hallmark of SPD is **emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity**. These individuals are often described as "loners" who neither desire nor enjoy close relationships, including being part of a family. They show little interest in sexual experiences, take pleasure in few (if any) activities, and appear indifferent to the praise or criticism of others. This lack of emotional reactivity is the core diagnostic feature. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. Conversion reaction:** This is a feature of **Dissociative (Conversion) Disorder**, where psychological stress manifests as physical neurological symptoms. It is not a personality trait. * **B. Not concerned with disease:** This is often referred to as *la belle indifférence*, classically associated with **Conversion Disorder**, not schizoid personality. * **C. Checks details of all things:** This is a characteristic of **Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)**, where there is a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental/interpersonal control. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **The "S" Rule:** Distinguish between **Schizoid** (Socially distant/Solitary) and **Schizotypal** (Socially awkward + Strange/Magical thinking). * **Defense Mechanism:** The primary defense mechanism used in Schizoid Personality Disorder is **Fantasy**. * **Differential:** Unlike Avoidant Personality Disorder (who desire social contact but fear rejection), Schizoid individuals have **no desire** for social interaction. * **ICD-10/DSM-5 Criteria:** Look for keywords like "Anhedonia," "Introspection," and "Indifference to social norms."

Q: Which of the following is a Cluster C personality disorder?

Obsessive compulsive. **Explanation:** Personality disorders are categorized into three clusters (A, B, and C) based on shared descriptive characteristics. **Cluster C** is known as the **"Anxious or Fearful"** cluster. It includes: 1. **Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD):** Characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. 2. **Avoidant Personality Disorder:** Characterized by social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy. 3. **Dependent Personality Disorder:** Characterized by an excessive need to be taken care of. **Analysis of Options:** * **Option A (Correct):** OCPD is a classic Cluster C disorder. Unlike OCD (an anxiety disorder), OCPD is **ego-syntonic** (the individual believes their way is correct and feels no distress about their traits). * **Option B (Incorrect):** **Paranoid** personality disorder belongs to **Cluster A** (the "Odd or Eccentric" cluster), along with Schizoid and Schizotypal disorders. * **Option C (Incorrect):** **Schizoid** personality disorder belongs to **Cluster A**. It is characterized by social detachment and a restricted range of emotional expression. * **Option D (Incorrect):** **Borderline** personality disorder belongs to **Cluster B** (the "Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic" cluster), along with Antisocial, Histrionic, and Narcissistic disorders. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Mnemonic for Clusters:** * **A:** Weird (Odd/Eccentric) * **B:** Wild (Dramatic/Erratic) * **C:** Worried (Anxious/Fearful) * **OCPD vs. OCD:** OCPD is about a lifestyle of perfectionism (ego-syntonic), while OCD involves specific intrusive thoughts and rituals (ego-dystonic). * **Most Common Personality Disorder:** Generally cited as Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in the general population.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a Cluster C personality disorder?

Schizotypal. **Explanation:** Personality disorders in the DSM-5 are categorized into three clusters based on shared descriptive characteristics. **Cluster C** is known as the **"Anxious or Fearful"** cluster. **Why Schizotypal is the Correct Answer:** **Schizotypal Personality Disorder** belongs to **Cluster A** (the "Odd or Eccentric" cluster), which also includes Paranoid and Schizoid personality disorders. It is characterized by pervasive patterns of social deficits, reduced capacity for close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentricities of behavior (e.g., magical thinking, ideas of reference). **Analysis of Incorrect Options (Cluster C Disorders):** * **Anankastic (Option A):** Also known as **Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)**. It is characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility. * **Anxious (Option B):** Also known as **Avoidant Personality Disorder**. It involves extreme social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. * **Dependent (Option D):** Characterized by an excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior and fear of separation. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric):** Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal. (Mnemonic: **PSS**) * **Cluster B (Dramatic/Erratic):** Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic. (Mnemonic: **ABHN**) * **Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful):** Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive. (Mnemonic: **ADO**) * **Key Distinction:** Schizoid involves social withdrawal by *choice* (indifference), whereas Avoidant involves withdrawal due to *fear* of rejection. * **Genetic Link:** Schizotypal personality disorder has the strongest genetic association with Schizophrenia.

Question 1

A young lady was admitted after an overdose of diazepam following a broken affair. She has a history of slitting her wrist previously. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Borderline Personality Disorder

Answer

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Answer

Dependent Personality Disorder

Answer

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Question 2

What is the cardinal feature of antisocial personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Violation of rules of society

Answer

Attention-seeking behavior

Answer

Unstable interpersonal relationships

Answer

Grandiose behavior

Question 3

A characteristic feature of schizoid personality is:

Accepted Answer

Emotional coldness

Answer

Conversion reaction

Answer

Not concerned with disease

Answer

Checks details of all things

Question 4

Which of the following is a Cluster C personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive compulsive

Answer

Paranoid

Answer

Schizoid

Answer

Borderline

Question 5

A child diagnosed with conduct disorder is at higher risk of developing which personality disorder later in life?

Accepted Answer

Antisocial personality disorder

Answer

Avoidant personality disorder

Answer

Dependent personality disorder

Answer

Anankastic (Obsessive-Compulsive) personality disorder

Question 6

A 24-year-old female presents with a pattern of flamboyant dressing, frequent dating with monthly changes in partners, and enthusiastic planning of marriage and future with each partner. She often seeks attention by fabricating stories, feels uncomfortable at large parties and leaves them midway. She makes promises that are impossible to keep, seemingly to gain approval, and when she breaks them, she creates stories to elicit sympathy and compassion. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Histrionic personality disorder

Answer

Borderline personality disorder

Answer

Dependent personality disorder

Answer

Antisocial personality disorder

Question 7

A patient presents with unstable interpersonal relationships, a pattern of self-harm or suicidal threats, and intense emotional lability. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Borderline personality disorder

Answer

Depression

Answer

Avoidant personality disorder

Answer

Histrionic personality disorder

Question 8

What is the most common reason that psychotherapy for personality disorders is so difficult to carry out successfully?

Accepted Answer

The patients often see the source of their problems in others, not themselves.

Answer

The traits are often ego-dystonic

Answer

The patients are usually too sick to use psychotherapy

Answer

These disorders respond better to medication than to psychotherapy

Question 9

A woman has had multiple relationships and breakups in the last six months and has attempted suicide multiple times. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Borderline personality disorder

Answer

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Panic disorder

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a Cluster C personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Schizotypal

Answer

Anankastic

Answer

Anxious

Answer

Dependent

Personality Disorders — MCQs

Personality Disorders — MCQs

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