How can we differentiate bipolar disorder from borderline personality disorder (BPD), obsessive-compulsive disorder from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, or a cognitive lack of empathy from the emotional lack of empathy that is part of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)? Although personality disorders are often talked about, their symptoms can be difficult to recognise - particularly by novice therapists who may be baffled by behaviours associated with personality disorders. This seminar will provide an understanding of the ten DSM-5 listed personality disorders, with an emphasis on: learning to identify the symptoms; understanding the lived experience of consumers; and learning to manage some of the difficult behaviours.
The morning session of the seminar will explore eight personality disorders: paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal (cluster A); avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive (cluster C): and histrionic and antisocial (cluster B).
The afternoon session will focus on the two most prominent cluster B personality disorders: BPD and NPD. For all personality disorders, the topics will include: (1) identification of symptoms and behaviours using case studies; (2) causes; (3) comorbidities; (4) the lived experience of consumers using audiovisual material; (5) treatment options (or the lack thereof); and (6) strategies for managing difficult behaviours.
The presentation style will be interactive, encouraging participant contributions and questions.