Personality DisordersFact or Fiction - Research Paper Example

Personality Disorders Based on the definition given by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), personalitydisorder is referred to as an enduring pattern manifested in one’s behavior and experience largely drawn from the cultural expectation of the person. DSM also asserts personality disorder can be experienced during adolescent and at early childhood and usually develops to stability leading to impairment and distress given its chronic development (Adshead 63). If the behavioral tendency on an individual is disturbed remarkably, there are possibilities that it can lead to the development of personality disorders.

Some experts are urging that the DSM version is hinged more on the socioeconomic and political consideration with disregard to other factors and have contested this diagnostic criterion of personality disorder.Causative of the Disorder The causative agent of personality disorder has ignited animated debate and most of the experts have come up with different schools of thoughts to explain the origin of the disorder. One school of thought explain the occurrence as brought by the experiences during one’s early lifetime, these experiences they argue leads to the prevention of the normal development of thoughts as well as behavioral patterns in one’s life.

The other school of thought believes that disorder is a genetic problem that originates from molecular level of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (Berman 82). However, of these two schools of thoughts, none has been applauded as having a rational explanation of the disorder thought it is thought to be culminated by a combination of the two proposals. That is, the environment and genetic aspects that are proposed by the two schools of thoughts.Diagnosis of the Disorder For one to be recommended for personality disorder, DSM advises that the person must exhibit salient symptoms that exactly meet the diagnostic criteria as they have set.

One of the criteria assessed during the diagnosis is the pervasiveness and chronic nature of the patterns demonstrated by the individual in relation to the person’s life. This assessment also includes relations with work, school, social functioning, and close relationships (Gardner and Qualter 34). The other criteria is that the person suspected of the disorder must show symptoms that impairs two or more of the following; impulse control, thoughts, interpersonal functioning, and emotions. The stability of the behavioral pattern over time must also be confirmed with the onset traceable to adolescent or early child period.

Confirmation of the above symptoms will eliminate any possibility of mental, medical or substance abuse and confirm that the individual is having a personality disorder (Gardner and Qualter 36).Treatment of Personality Disorder Giving remedy to an individual with personality disorder is a complex that is dependent on the type of the disorder, the severity, and the person’s life situation. Usually, the disorder is given a team approach that ensures that all the social, medical, and psychiatric needs are fully met.

Because of the persistent nature of the disorder, it is always necessary that a long time treatment is given. As such, treatment of personality disorder attracts attention from different experts starting from the family members to a psychotherapist (Widiger, Simonsen, Krueger, Livesley and Verheul 41). In conclusion, based on the information given by the DSM about personality disorder; the occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment it vividly depicts that the situation is real and that it can be identified and remedy given there of.

In that regard, I construe and conclude that the question of personality disorder is not factious as some claim rather it is a fact.Works CitedAdshead, Gwen. Personality disorder the definitive reader. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2009. Print.Berman, Carol W.. Personality disorders: a practical guide. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009. Print.Gardner, Kathryn, and Pamela Qualter. "Reliability and validity of three screening measures of borderline personality disorder in a nonclinical population.

" Personality and Individual Differences 46.5-6 (2009): 636-641. Print.Widiger, Ta, E Simonsen, R Krueger, Wj Livesley, and R Verheul. "Personality disorder research agenda for the DSM-V." Journal of Personality Disorders 19.3 (2005): 315-338. Print.