Final answer:
Personality disorders are characterized by enduring and inflexible patterns of behavior, leading to difficulty in getting along with others, displaying defense mechanisms to change, and misunderstanding social boundaries, like in staff relationships. Certain characteristics, like belief in invisibility or feeling more important than others, are not general traits of all personality disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing a staff education session on personality disorders, certain characteristics that are typically associated with personality disorders should be included. These traits can cause significant challenges in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. As outlined in the American Psychological Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders (DSM), personality disorders are characterized by certain patterns of long-term behavior and inner experiences that deviate significantly from the expectations of the individual's culture.
- Difficulty in getting along with other members of a group
- Display of defense mechanisms when routines are changed
- Difficulty understanding why it is inappropriate to have a personal relationship with staff
Characteristics such as a belief in the ability to become invisible during times of stress or claiming to be more important than others are not considered general characteristics of personality disorders, but may be associated with specific types or symptoms of personality disorders.
Research has identified depression, anger/hostility, and anxiety as disease-prone personality characteristics. Also, traits from the Five Factor Model like neuroticism, which includes aspects like anxiety and moodiness, have been linked to chronic health problems and increased mortality.