Personality Disorders

by | Jan 15, 2025 | biology

 

Review the DSM-5TR and choose a personality disorder and review the following:

Introduction to the personality disorder
DSM-5 criteria
Differentials to the diagnosis
How you will discern this diagnosis from the differentials
Treatment options- pharmacological and non-pharmacological
Considerations for treating patients with this disorder.
Conclusion

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Introduction

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity. Individuals with BPD often experience intense and unstable emotions, difficulty regulating their emotions, and a fear of abandonment.  

DSM-5 Criteria

To be diagnosed with BPD, an individual must meet the following criteria:

  1. Pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
    • Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.  
    • A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by 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., spending, substance abuse, reckless driving, sex, binge eating)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Introduction

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity. Individuals with BPD often experience intense and unstable emotions, difficulty regulating their emotions, and a fear of abandonment.  

DSM-5 Criteria

To be diagnosed with BPD, an individual must meet the following criteria:

  1. Pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
    • Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.  
    • A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by 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., spending, substance abuse, reckless driving, sex, binge eating)
    • Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
    • Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).  
    • Chronic feelings of emptiness.
    • Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of anger, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).  
    • Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.  

     

Differentials

Several other conditions can present with similar symptoms as BPD, including:

  • Depressive disorders: Individuals with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder may experience emotional instability, impulsivity, and difficulties in relationships.
  • Bipolar disorder: Individuals with bipolar disorder may experience mood swings, impulsivity, and unstable relationships, but their mood swings are typically more severe and cyclical.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Individuals with PTSD may experience emotional instability, impulsivity, and difficulties in relationships as a result of trauma.
  • Substance use disorders: Substance use can exacerbate emotional instability, impulsivity, and relationship difficulties.

Discerning BPD from Differentials

Discerning BPD from these differentials often requires a thorough clinical assessment, including:

  • Detailed history: A comprehensive history of the individual’s symptoms, including onset, duration, and severity, can help differentiate between BPD and other conditions.
  • Mental status examination: A thorough mental status examination can help assess the individual’s current mood, affect, thought processes, and behavior.
  • Psychological testing: Psychological tests, such as personality assessments, can help identify underlying personality traits and patterns.

Treatment Options

Treatment for BPD typically involves a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions:

  • Pharmacological:
    • Mood stabilizers: Medications like lithium or anticonvulsants can help stabilize mood and reduce impulsivity.
    • Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other antidepressants may be helpful for managing anxiety and depression.
    • Antipsychotics: Antipsychotics may be used to manage severe emotional instability and impulsivity.
  • Non-pharmacological:
    • Psychotherapy: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been shown to be effective for BPD. It focuses on skills training in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
    • Mentalization-based therapy (MBT): MBT is another type of psychotherapy that helps individuals with BPD understand and manage their emotions and relationships.

Considerations for Treating Patients with BPD

  • Therapeutic relationship: Building a strong therapeutic relationship is crucial for the success of treatment.
  • Self-harm and suicide: Individuals with BPD are at increased risk for self-harm and suicide. It is important to assess for these risks and develop safety plans.
  • Comorbid conditions: Individuals with BPD often have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, or eating disorders. These conditions should be addressed as part of the treatment plan.

Conclusion

Borderline personality disorder is a complex mental health condition that can significantly impact an individual’s life. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for improving outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach that includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions is often necessary for effective management of BPD

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