A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people. This causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities, work, and other intrapersonal activities. In some cases, a person may not realize that they have a personality disorder because their way of thinking and behaving seems natural to them. And you may blame others for the challenges you face. In this training, we will examine three of the most commonly diagnosed Emotional Disorders: Borderline (aka Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder), Histrionic, and Narcissist. Learn how to diagnose based on DSM criteria and about the Evidence-Based treatment methodologies used to work with clients diagnosed with these disorders.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Determine the differences between each of the EPD disorders and understand the historical development of the diagnoses
- Identify the Psychological & Genetic Factors of each disorder
- Assess the disorders according to the DSM–V: Clinical Criteria and Definitions of Each Disorder & Determining a Diagnosis
- Demonstrate Working with Emotional Personality Disorders – Pharmacology and Therapy
- Understand and implement Effective Treatments for Working with and Managing Emotional Personality Disorders.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Personality and Personality Disorders
- Definition of personality and its formation through biological and environmental factors
- Core features of personality disorders: early onset, stability, and pervasive interpersonal impact
- Overview of Cluster B (“emotional”) disorders and their placement within the DSM-5
- Statistics on prevalence, gender differences, and comorbidities
Objective #2: Risk Factors and Etiology
- Genetic predisposition and neurobiological vulnerabilities
- Impact of childhood trauma, including abuse, neglect, and verbal maltreatment
- Influence of temperament, high reactivity, and invalidating environments
- Socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic contributors
Objective #3: Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
- Diagnostic features: lack of remorse, impulsivity, deception, and aggression
- Developmental trajectory from Conduct Disorder to ASPD
- Common presentations in forensic and clinical settings
- Treatment approaches: Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT-ASPD), pharmacologic interventions, lifestyle counseling
- Therapeutic goals: behavior regulation, social responsibility, and empathy development
Objective #4: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Hallmarks: emotional instability, fear of abandonment, impulsivity, identity disturbance
- Defense mechanisms: splitting and unstable interpersonal relationships
- Treatment models: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), Transference-Focused Therapy (TFP), Schema-Focused Therapy
- Goals: reducing self-harm, improving emotional regulation, developing a stable sense of self
Objective #5: Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)
- Traits: excessive emotionality, attention-seeking, suggestibility, shallow affect
- Gender and social perception influences
- Therapeutic strategies: supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapy, mood stabilizers, biofeedback
- Goals: reducing inappropriate behavior, building authentic relationships, managing emotional responses
Objective #6: Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
- Diagnostic profile: grandiosity, entitlement, lack of empathy, hypersensitivity to criticism
- Presentations: overt and covert narcissism
- Etiological factors: genetic vulnerability, early overindulgence, trauma, and cultural context
- Treatment approaches: CBT, psychodynamic therapy, Transference-Focused Psychotherapy
- Goals: promoting empathy, addressing cognitive distortions, and reducing narcissistic defenses
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Shannon McCabe, MA, LCAS, CCS, CCJP, CPS
Recording Date: 6/03/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com