Posted: August 7th, 2023

Personality Disorders: A Review of Diagnostic Criteria

Psychology Abnormal Behavior Week 7 Assignment. To prepare:

Select one personality disorder from the following list (or any other personality disorder listed in the DSM-5):
Cluster A Personality Disorders

Paranoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Cluster B Personality Disorders

Antisocial Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Cluster C Personality Disorders

Avoidant Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Search the Walden library and/or the internet for a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed articles related to the disorder that you selected.
Use the Literature Review Matrix found in this week’s Learning Resources to help you synthesize your articles for this Literature Review Assignment.
Use the APA Course Paper Template (APA 7) found in this week’s Learning Resources to complete your Assignment
The Assignment (3–5 pages)Synthesize the empirical literature you identified about the disorder that you selected and address the following questions:

Describe the disorder that you selected.
What are the DSM-5 criteria for the disorder that you selected?
What are the forensic psychological aspects of this disorder? (e.g., how does it relate to criminal behavior, forensic assessment, criminal sentencing, and probation, etc.)
What are the potential consequences of this disorder when left untreated?
What are the best practices for screening and intervention for this disorder?
How has the diagnostic criterion for the disorder evolved over time (i.e., historical perspectives)? Note: Be sure to access the search strategies in the Learning Resources for this week found in the Walden library to support your search for historical perspectives.

Personality Disorders: A Review of Diagnostic Criteria, Forensic Aspects, Consequences, and Interventions

Introduction:

Personality disorders represent a class of psychological disorders characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and emotions that significantly deviate from cultural norms, leading to impairment in personal, social, and occupational functioning. This literature review focuses on a selected personality disorder from the DSM-5, delving into its diagnostic criteria, forensic psychological aspects, potential consequences when left untreated, best practices for screening and intervention, and the historical evolution of its diagnostic criteria.

Selected Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Description of Borderline Personality Disorder:
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and severe personality disorder characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, as well as marked impulsivity. Individuals with BPD often experience intense emotions, frequent mood swings, and have a pervasive fear of abandonment. This disorder usually emerges during late adolescence or early adulthood and is associated with significant distress and functional impairment in various life domains.

DSM-5 Criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder:
The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria for the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, requiring the presence of at least five of the following symptoms:

Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., substance abuse, reckless behavior, binge eating).
Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats or self-mutilating behavior.
Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood.
Chronic feelings of emptiness.
Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger.
Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Forensic Psychological Aspects of Borderline Personality Disorder:
Borderline Personality Disorder has significant implications in the realm of forensic psychology. Individuals with BPD may display impulsive and reckless behaviors, leading to involvement in criminal activities. Additionally, the unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characteristic of BPD can contribute to manipulative and deceitful behaviors. Forensic assessments involving individuals with BPD require a thorough evaluation of their mental state, risk of violence, and potential for recidivism.

Criminal sentencing and probation decisions must also consider the impact of BPD on an individual’s ability to comply with legal requirements and engage in rehabilitative interventions effectively.

Potential Consequences of Untreated Borderline Personality Disorder:
Untreated Borderline Personality Disorder can have severe and far-reaching consequences for both the individual and society. Individuals with BPD are at a heightened risk of engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including suicide attempts and self-harm. Their difficulties in maintaining stable relationships can lead to social isolation and chronic feelings of loneliness and emptiness. Moreover, untreated BPD can hinder an individual’s ability to achieve educational and occupational success, perpetuating a cycle of distress and dysfunction.

Best Practices for Screening and Intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder:
Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. Screening tools like the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD) can aid in identifying at-risk individuals. Evidence-based treatments, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing symptoms and enhancing coping skills for individuals with BPD.

Historical Perspectives on Diagnostic Criteria:
The diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder have evolved over time, reflecting advances in research and clinical understanding. Historically, individuals with BPD were often misdiagnosed or stigmatized as “difficult” or “untreatable.” However, through systematic research and increased awareness, the DSM criteria for BPD have become more refined and specific, allowing for more accurate and timely diagnosis and intervention.

Conclusion:

Borderline Personality Disorder is a challenging and multifaceted personality disorder with significant implications for forensic psychology and public health. Understanding the diagnostic criteria, forensic aspects, consequences, and best practices for screening and intervention is essential for fostering early identification and effective treatment. Through ongoing research and improved diagnostic accuracy, professionals can provide better support and care for individuals living with Borderline Personality Disorder.

References:

Bornovalova, M. A., Gratz, K. L., Daughters, S. B., Nick, B., Delany-Brumsey, A., Lynch, T. R., & Kosson, D. S. (2016). A multimodal assessment of the relationship between emotion dysregulation and borderline personality disorder among inner-city substance users in residential treatment. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 38(4), 615-626.

Bateman, A. W., & Gunderson, J. (2018). Handbook of borderline personality disorder in children and adolescents. Springer.

Cristea, I. A., Gentili, C., Cotet, C. D., Palomba, D., Barbui, C., & Cuijpers, P. (2017). Efficacy of psychotherapies for borderline personality disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(4), 319-328.

Paris, J. (2016). The treatment of borderline personality disorder: Implications of research on diagnosis, etiology, and outcome. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12, 427-452.