|
 INTERMITTENT
EXPLOSIVE DISORDER
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
falls in the category of Impulse-Control Disorders. The condition is
characterized by failure to resist aggressive impulses, resulting in
serious assaults or property destruction. Examples of this behavior
include threatening to or actually hurting another person and
purposefully breaking or damaging an object of value. The degree of
aggressiveness expressed during an episode is grossly out of
proportion to any provocation or situational stress. The individual
may describe the episodes as "spells" or "attacks" in which the
explosive behavior is preceded by a sense of tension or arousal and
followed immediately by a sense of relief. Often genuine regret is
expressed after the outburst. Later the individual may also feel upset,
remorseful or embarrassed about the behavior. Most patients are young
men and history will often involve frequent traffic accidents, moving
violations and possibly sexual impulsivity.
Symptoms
 Several
discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses
that result in serious assaultive acts or destruction of
property
The
degree of aggressiveness expressed during the episodes is
grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial
stressors
Irritability
or rage, increased energy, and racing thoughts during the
aggressive impulses and acts, and rapid onset of depressed
mood
Treatment could involve
therapy including behavioral modification.
Ask
for help, now.
NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY
DISORDER
An individual with
narcissistic personality disorder exhibits extreme self-importance,
inability to empathize with others and heightened sensitivity to
criticism. Self-involvement and lack of empathy characterize this
personality disorder.
People with narcissistic
personality disorder are frequently perfectionists and need to be
the center of attention, receiving affection and admiration, and
controlling the situation. To get the attention he craves, he may
try to create crises that return the focus to him. Like patients
with antisocial personality disorder, this person places entitlement
issues at the fore. He feels that the world owes him, regardless of
whether he makes a contribution.
Symptoms
Overreacts
to criticism, becoming angry or humiliated
Uses
others to reach goals
Exaggerates
own importance
Entertains
unrealistic fantasies about achievements, power, beauty,
intelligence or romance
Has
unreasonable expectation of favorable treatment
Needs
constant attention and positive reinforcement from others
Is
easily jealous
Psychotherapy may
be useful in getting the individual with narcissistic personality
disorder to relate to others in a less maladaptive manner...
Ask
for help, now.
OBSESSIVE - COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
is a potentially disabling anxiety disorder. The person afflicted
with OCD becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive senseless
thoughts and behaviors that are very difficult to overcome. A
person's level of OCD can be anywhere from mild to severe, but if
severe and left untreated, it can destroy a person's capacity to
function at work, at school or even to lead a comfortable existence
in the home.
Although OCD symptoms typically
begin during the teen years or early adulthood, research shows that
some children may even develop the illness during preschool. Studies
indicate that at least one-third of cases of adult OCD began in
childhood. Suffering from OCD during early stages of a child's
development can cause severe problems for the child. It is important
that the child receive evaluation and treatment as soon as possible
to prevent the child from missing important opportunities because of
this disorder.
Symptoms
Unwanted
repetitive ideas or impulses
Persistent
paranoid fears
Unreasonable
concern with becoming contaminated
Excessive
need to do things perfectly
Studies of behavior
therapy for OCD find it to be a successful treatment for the
majority of patients who complete it, and the positive effects
endure once treatment has ended, if there are follow-up sessions and
other relapse-prevention components.
Ask
for help, now.
PARANOID PERSONALITY DISORDER
Paranoid personality disorder is
an unwarranted tendency to interpret the actions of other people as
deliberately threatening or demeaning. The disorder, surfacing by
early adulthood, is manifested by an omnipresent sense of distrust and
unjustified suspicion that yields persistent misinterpretation of
others' intentions as being malicious. People with a paranoid
personality disorder are usually unable to acknowledge their own
negative feelings toward others but do not generally lose touch with
reality. They will not confide in people, even if they prove
trustworthy, for fear of being exploited or betrayed. They will often
misinterpret harmless comments and behavior from others and may build
up and harbor unfounded resentment for an unreasonable length of time.
Symptoms
Suspicion
Concern
with hidden motives
Expects
to be exploited by others
Inability
to collaborate
Social
isolation
Poor
self image
Detachment
Hostility
Poor
sense of humor
People afflicted with
this disorder have deep foundational problems that necessitate
intense therapy. A confident therapist-client relationship offers
the most benefit to people with the disorder.
Ask
for help, now.
MORE ABOUT...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
DisorderAntisocial
Personality DisorderAvoidant
Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality DisorderDelusional DisorderDependent Personality Disorder Dissociative Identity DisorderGender Identity DisorderHistrionic Personality Disorder Schizoid Personality DisorderCompulsive GamblingKleptomaniaSchizophrenia Schizotypal Personality DisorderTourette's Syndrome
|
