Generalized+Personality+Disorders

 Personality Disorders Members: Adelaida Kolaj, Meagan Crawford, Mark Wong Personality disorder refers to a large conglomerate of psychiatric disorders characterized by long term maladaptive cognition, behaviour and affect that are unique in their pervasiveness and stability. The manifestation of these disturbances is often characterized by an objectively pronounced discrepancy between individual behaviour and societal norms. Because personality disorders are persistent, underlying conditions, the DSM-IV categorizes these disorders as Axis I disorders, and further subdivides them into three “clusters”: Cluster A (“suspicious) including Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality disorders, Cluster B (“emotional and impulsive”) including Narcissistic, Histrionic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality disorders, and Cluster C (“anxious”) including Obsessive Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality disorders. 1  The prevalence of personality disorders in the general population is believed to be 1% and 16% in the clinical population, 2  with higher representation in patient populations and especially high representation in the prison population. 2 Though personality disorders have typically been met with pessimism by mental health-care providers, recent research and improved understanding has brought new hope for these patients. 3 1.

1. Borderline Personality Disorder (M. Crawford) a. Symptoms and Diagnosisi. DSM ii. Cognitive and Affective iii. Behavioural iv. Neurobiological v. Comorbidities b. Causes i. Genetic ii. Environmental Treatment i. Medications ii. Therapies iii. Stigma

2. The Neuropathology of Schizotypal Personality Disorder (A. Kolaj) i. PSAT1, the L-serine Pathway and NDMAR Co-agonists ii. COMT VAL158MET and PFC Dopaminergic Circuits iii. Striatal Dopaminergic D2/D3 Receptors and Schizotypal Profile  2.Basis for Aberrant Perception/ Psychotic Episodes: i.Epigenetics: Preferential Expression of DNMT1 and Resulting GAD 67 Isoform Deficits <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;"> 3. Neuropsychopharmacology <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">i. Antidepressants <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">a.Hyperforin and Target-Specific Activation of CREB-BDNF-TrkB Signalling Cascade <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">ii. Antipsychotics: <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">b. Olanzapine and Risperidone: Assessing Improvements in Cognitive Function and Neuropathology <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">iii. Anxiolytics <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">a. Citalopram and Persistent Psychosocial Anxiety Induced CREB/CRE Activation
 * 1) <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15.33px;">Neurobiological Mechanisms:

3. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (M.Wong) a. General info b. Psychological evaluation i. DSM ii. Different Subtypes c. Causes i. Genetic ii. Environmental d. Possible Treatment Options i. Cognitive behavioral therapy ii. Family therapy iii.Group therapy iv. Medication

References:1. Amiel, C. Personality disorders. Innovait 3, 192-198 (2010).2. Business Day. [|__Megalomaniacs abound in politics/medicine/finance__]. [|__http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=130981__] (2011)3. MacManus, D. Personality disorders. Medicine 36, 436-441 (2008).