sparknotes III

Cluster C
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by social discomfort, fear of negative evaluations, and timidity. Individuals suffering from this disorder tend to be socially isolated; although they desire acceptance from others, they are hurt by even minimal signs of disapproval, and therefore attempt to avoid social situations entirely. The disorder is different from social phobias and agoraphobia in that whereas social phobias focus on anxiety in certain performance situations in which there will be evaluation, and agoraphobia involves fear of being in public places from which there is no likelihood of escape, avoidant personality disorder concerns the fear of not having any friends. Individuals in this category tend not to have a strong interest in engaging in social interactions, which then is detrimental to forming and maintaining friendships. The prevalence rate ranges from .5 to 1 percent, and this disorder is highly comorbid with borderline personality disorder. Research concerning **etiology indicates that individuals who had parents who were not supportive and affectionate are at a greater risk for developing this disorder than other individuals in the general population.

Dependent Personality
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of dependent and submissive behavior. It is highly comorbid with borderline and avoidant personality disorders, with a prevalence rate of 1.7 percent. Etiological considerations focus on attachment issues, indicating that individuals who had gross problematic attachment relationships with their parents or overly-protective or authoritarian parents are at a higher risk for developing the disorder than other individuals. Often, individuals suffering from dependent personality disorder enter treatment for another primary disorder and therefore, medication, when it is used, is usually attempting to treat those comorbid axis I disorders. Psychodynamic therapists attempt to help the individual recognize his or her dependent behavior and its negative impact. Behavior and interpersonal therapists attempt to help these individuals increase their assertive communication skills. Finally, cognitive therapy, which has been proven somewhat helpful, attempts not only to better the individual's problem-solving and decision-making skills to enable them to assert greater independence, but also to address irrational fears about the potential consequences of greater independence.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) characterizes individuals who are inflexible and strive for perfectionism. These individuals tend be preoccupied with rules and efficiency and are excessively conscientious, moralistic, and judgmental. They also usually need to have orderliness and strict control of situations. The prevalence rate is about 1 percent of the population. OCPD is highly comorbid with avoidant personality disorder. Etiological considerations have found that the risk for developing OCPD correlates highly with an individual's rating on the conscientiousness factor scale of the Big Five theory of personality. Yet, like most personality disorders, OCPD is ego-syntonic; these individuals do not see there behavior as a problem.