Mental Health - Research Proposal Example

Here Here Here Here Mental Health Research Proposal The effects of a personality disorder can haveseveral ramifications in the life of an afflicted person. Negative social and physical outcomes are risks that are faced by an individual with a personality disorder, in addition to the psychological impact that is defined in the DSM-IV-TR (2000). We will discuss some previous findings as we propose the individual effects of personality disorders as a research topic. Personality disorders can negatively impact the treatment of comorbid mental disorders (Walter et al. 1). Conversely, psychological conditions may worsen the expression of personality disorders (Philipsen er al. 118). A study by Newton-Howes, Tyrer, and Weaver (1033) provides evidence that personality disorders may cause more social dysfunction than other psychological pathologies.

Personality disorders have a destructive effect on marriages (South, Turkheimer, and Oltmanns 769), and may even force a person out of the workforce (Korkeila et al. 18). These conditions are also associated with higher suicidal intent, according to a study by Haw and Hawton (139). The physical threat is not solely from the self, as personality traits (of which disorders are extreme forms) have been found to be strong predictors of cardiovascular disease outcomes (Reich and Schatzberg 1017). The extreme loneliness that is associated with some personality orders (Martens n. p.) may lead to further physical and social problems due to personal neglect and isolation.

We have discussed only a few examples of individual effects that can arise from personality disorders. The consequences of such an affliction are many and can be quite severe. Accordingly, the definitions, diagnoses, and treatments associated with personality disorders are often refined as needed (Russ et al. 1473). These improvements would not be possible without continuing research into the issue. Works CitedAmerican Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM- IV-TR. 4th ed., text rev.

Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000. Print.Haw, Camilla, and Keith Hawton. “Life Problems and Deliberate Self-Harm: Associations With Gender, Age, Suicidal Intent and Psychiatric and Personality Disorder.” Journal of Affective Disorders 102.1-2 (2008): 139-48. Print.Korkeila, J. et al. “Early Retirement From Work Among Employee With a Diagnosis of Personality Disorder Compared to Anxiety and Depressive Disorders.” European Psychiatry 26.1 (2011): 18-22. Print.Martens, Willem H. J. “Schizoid Personality Disorder Linked to Unbearable and Inescapable Loneliness.

” The European Journal of Psychiatry 24.1 (2010): n. p. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.Newton-Howes, Giles, Peter Tyrer, and Tim Weaver. “Social Functioning of Patients With Personality Disorder in Secondary Care.” Psychiatric Services 59 (2008): 1033-7. Print.Philipsen, Alexandra, et al. “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as a Potentially Aggravating Factor in Borderline Personality Disorder 192 (2008): 118-23. PrintReich, James, and Alan Schatzberg. “Personality Traits and Medical Outcome of Cardiac Illness.

” Journal of Psychiatric Research 44.15 (2010): 1017-20.Russ et al. “Refining the Construct of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria and Subtypes.” American Journal of Psychiatry 165 (2008): 1473-81.South, Susan C., Eric Turkheimer, and Thomas F. Oltmanns. “Personality Disorder Symptoms and Marital Functioning.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76.5 (2008): 769-80. Print.Walter, Kristen H., Teri A. Bolte, Gina P. Owens, and Kathleen M. Chard. “The Impact of Personality Disorders on Treatment Outcome for Veterans in a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Residential Treatment Program.

” Cognitive Therapy and Research (2011): 1-9. Print.