Abnormal Psychology: Cluster B Disorders (Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic) and Psychopathy

Alexander Street Video - 2:01:00
This recording will dismantle the bias against BPD clients and clear a path for a transformative therapeutic relationship with them by exploring the clinical choices that can truly make a difference.

Films on Demand - 3:03:07
Clients with cluster B personality disorders (borderline, antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic) can be amongst the most challenging for therapists. Clinicians who are not properly trained can inadvertently make clients worse, and can even put themselves at risk for licensure board complaints. In this video seminar, clinical psychologist and author Dr. Richard Sears offers solid principles and detailed case examples to teach a compassionate yet direct approach for working with these individuals using cutting edge, practical interventions that are grounded in theory.

(MedlinePlus) Antisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others without any remorse. This behavior may cause problems in relationships or at work and is often criminal.

(Cleveland Clinic) Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes harmful behaviors without remorse. A person might show disrespect toward others and be manipulative, aggressive or reckless. Treatment options are available to help manage unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.

(American Psychiatric Association) Antisocial personality disorder may be one of the most misunderstood mental disorders. It is also often undiagnosed and untreated, according to a recent special report by Donald Black, M.D. in Psychiatric News. He referred to it as “psychiatry’s forgotten disorder,” noting that few clinicians diagnose or treat it.

(National Institute of Mental Health) Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person’s ability to manage their emotions. This loss of emotional control can increase impulsivity, affect how a person feels about themselves, and negatively impact their relationships with others. Effective treatments are available that can help people manage the symptoms of borderline personality disorder.

(MedlinePlus) Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions. These inner experiences often result in impulsive actions and chaotic relationships with other people.

(American Psychological Association) Psychopath. It is a term that tends to conjure images of violent criminals or public figures capable of heinous or egregiously selfish acts on a broader scale. Yet the reality of this condition is far more nuanced than these stereotypes hold.

(MedlinePlus) Histrionic personality disorder is a mental condition in which people act in a very emotional and dramatic way that draws attention to themselves.

(National Library of Medicine) This activity reviews the evaluation, treatment, and management of HPD as a life-long psychiatric disorder, incorporating current guidelines addressing gender bias in clinical knowledge. This activity also provides clinicians with the knowledge and tools to differentiate HPD from other personality disorders, emphasizing the need for interprofessional collaboration when considering HPD as a diagnosis rather than a personality trait.

(Cleveland Clinic) Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition marked by unstable emotions, a distorted self-image and an overwhelming desire to be noticed. People with HPD often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention.

(MedlinePlus) Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has: An excessive sense of self-importance; An extreme preoccupation with themselves; A lack of empathy for others

(National Library of Medicine) Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a complex personality disorder often detected with other affective and personality disorders. This activity outlines the evaluation of narcissistic personality disorder and discusses a multi-modal approach to treatment. This article also outlines complications related to personality disorder and discusses interprofessional approaches to the same.

(Cleveland Clinic) Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition. It affects a person’s sense of self-esteem, identity, and how they treat themselves and others. It’s more than arrogance or selfishness. In the worst cases, people with NPD may struggle with feelings of failure or rejection, putting their own health and well-being at risk.

(Minnesota Psychological Association) The media commonly uses the term “psychopath” to refer to persons, generally criminals, who act outside of the moral sphere. They may be real, like Ted Bundy or Charles Manson, or characters such as Hannibal Lector or Dexter Morgan – the lines between the fanciful and the factual can become blurred in our imagination. However, psychopathy is an important concept in forensics, and is increasingly prominent in mental health studies, and thus deserving of measured consideration.