Core Features Of Personality Disorder

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Personality is conceptualized as a complex construct that is broadly composed of a person’s traits, characteristic adaptation, and dynamic processes that develop over the life span in transaction with the individual’s environment as cited by Richard A. Zweig (Hooker, K., & McAdams, D. P., 2003). (Livesley, 2001) defined that the core features of Personality Disorder to include: the failure to solve life tasks related to the establishment of stable and integrated representations of self and others; the capacity for intimacy, attachment, and affiliation; and the capacity for prosocial behaviour and cooperative relationships. In essence, it involves chronic interpersonal problems and self-pathology. (p. 572). Personality disorders in the elderly receive relatively little attention even though these disorders may seriously complicate the course and treatment of other psychiatric disorders and adversely affect an individuals’ quality of life (Abrams R. C, 2001). The people presenting with personality disorders have longstanding difficulties in multiple aspects of functioning – in the management of interpersonal relationships, maintaining a stable sense of self, and the tolerance of strong emotions. An elderly …show more content…

For example, elderly patients with Cluster A personality symptomology are depicted as chronic self-neglecters or rebellious persons who may not encounter major difficulties until age-related issues compels them to rely on societal support. This leads them to seek the unwanted intimate contact with other people. Younger people may be able to avoid this social interaction hence, experience fewer opportunities that may lead to interpersonal

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