Testing for personality disorders is usually used as part of a comprehensive assessment. Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate significantly from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment in various areas of life. There isn’t a single definitive test for personality disorders, but a combination of methods is typically used to evaluate an individual’s personality traits, behaviors, and emotions.
We welcome you to be in touch for more information about how this testing could help you, but first, here is some general information.
Personality Disorders We Test For
The personality disorders we commonly test for include:
- Schizoid Personality Disorder: Involves detachment from social relationships, limited emotional expression, and a preference for solitary activities.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Includes peculiarities in thinking, behavior, and appearance, such as odd beliefs, eccentric behavior, and difficulties in forming close relationships.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder: Persistent disregard for the rights of others, impulsivity, deceitfulness, and a lack of remorse for actions that harm others.
- Borderline Personality Disorder: Characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, with impulsivity and recurrent suicidal behaviors or self-harming tendencies.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Features a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder: Involves feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction due to fear of rejection or criticism.
- Dependent Personality Disorder: Characterized by an excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: Involves preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency.
Each personality disorder manifests differently, and individuals may exhibit varying degrees of traits from multiple disorders. Testing can help elucidate that.
Testing for Personality Disorders: Initial Steps
The following steps are taken to determine which tests for personality disorders will be chosen and ensure that testing for personality disorders is the best approach.
Testing for Personality Disorders, Clinical Interviews
We conduct a thorough interview to gather information about your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and personal history. This helps in identifying patterns that may indicate a personality disorder. It also helps us ensure that there is enough chance that you have a challenge that will make testing for personality disorders worthwhile. We might ask you to consult any relevant information you have, such as prior evaluations, school records, medical records, and information you gathered from a therapist.
Background Information
This step may also include gathering information from family members, friends, or other people close to you who can provide additional perspectives on your personality and behavior. This step is entirely up to you, and we will get your permission first.
We may also explore whether there are other records we should get, from educational records from when you were in school to medical reports. Certain medical conditions can mimic or exacerbate symptoms of personality disorders, so the medical information can help rule out any underlying physical causes.
Testing for Personality Disorders: The Testing
The testing for personality disorders is uniquely tailored to everything we discovered in the last step and your questions and concerns. It generally consists of:
Testing for Personality Disorders, Self-reports
Self-report questionnaires are used to assess your personality traits and patterns. An example is the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders). This widely used diagnostic tool follows the ICD-10 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria to assess various personality disorders.
Tests for Personality Disorders
We use several tests and assessments to diagnose and assess personality disorders. Here are a few common ones:
- Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI): This self-report questionnaire assesses various personality constructs and psychopathology, including potential indicators of personality disorders. This is the test we give most commonly as a starting point.
- Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI): The MCMI is a psychological assessment tool designed to provide information on personality traits and psychopathology, including indicators of personality disorders.
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI Test): Although not explicitly focused on personality disorders, the MMPI is a widely used psychological assessment tool that can help identify personality traits and psychopathology that might indicate the presence of a personality disorder.
- The Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ): A self-report questionnaire designed to screen for the presence of various personality disorders.
- Projective Tests: We might also do projective tests like the Rorschach inkblot and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT Test) to gather deeper insights into an individual’s underlying thoughts and emotions, potentially indicating traits associated with personality disorders.
Structured Interviews
Suppose there is one or two particular personality disorders that you or others suspect. In that case, we can do structured clinical Interviews, which provide a normed and standardized format for assessing and diagnosing mental disorders, including personality disorders.
Testing for Personality Disorders: Final Steps
As a result of all of the testing above, there is one additional step we might take: we may ask you to self-observe your behaviors, emotional reactions, and interactions in various contexts. This data can help provide insights into your real-life personality traits and how you relate to others. Sometimes, we might ask you to have a family member make these observations or at least tell their experience observing you when you’ve faced challenges or obstacles.
Finally, we might add some tests based on any holes in the collected data. This may happen when we suspect that there may be other issues, such as anxiety or depression, that are at work.
Testing for Personality Disorders: Formulation
After all of the data is collected in the above steps, we formulate a report that not only suggests whether you meet the criteria for a personality disorder but also gives suggestions and advice about maximizing your strengths, overcoming challenges, and developing coping strategies. To formulate the report, we take the following steps:
Testing for Personality Disorders: Diagnostic Criteria
We use the criteria outlined in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) published by the World Health Organization. This manual provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions, including personality disorders. Thus, your diagnosis, if you have one, is not subjective. Instead, it matches the exact symptoms outlined in the manual.
Duration and Patterns
Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate significantly from cultural norms and cause distress or impairment. Our assessment aims to establish whether these patterns have been consistently present. In other words, we will not diagnose a personality disorder if your symptoms are episodic or transient; in these cases, we might consider other challenges, such as anxiety or depression, that can wax and wane.
Generally, when testing for personality disorders, it’s essential to differentiate between them and other mental health conditions that might share similar symptoms. We always consider whether another diagnosis can better explain the symptoms.
Cultural Considerations
Cultural norms and values can influence the expression of personality traits. When testing for personality disorders, we always consider cultural factors to avoid misdiagnosis due to cultural differences.
Testing for Personality Disorders Summary
Testing for personality disorders typically involves a comprehensive assessment beyond just providing you with a diagnosis. Your testing report will help you understand how the diagnosis impacts you and the strategies you can develop to overcome challenges. Here’s an overview of the typical steps involved in testing for personality disorders, and then we provide an example with a section on tests for borderline personality disorder.
Of course, you can contact us anytime or set up a consultation to discuss how testing for personality disorders might work and how it could benefit you.
Testing for Personality Disorders Diagnostic Criteria
Personality disorders are diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). We will compare your symptoms and behaviors to these criteria to determine if a diagnosis is warranted. Then we will provide much more information about your specific symptom profile and ways you can overcome any roadblocks or challenges they present.
Testing for Personality Disorders Process
The following is the general process we use when testing for personality disorders.
Clinical Interview
A thorough clinical interview is usually the first step in assessing for personality disorders. We will gather information about your history, symptoms, behaviors, and past or present mental health concerns.
Testing for Personality Disorders Self-Report Inventories
Various self-report questionnaires and inventories may be administered to gather information about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These inventories are designed to assess specific symptoms and traits associated with different personality disorders. Examples include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI).
Structured Clinical Interviews
Structured clinical interviews, such as the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID), are often used to assess for the presence of personality disorders systematically. These interviews follow a standardized format and ask specific questions to elicit information relevant to the diagnosis.
Observational Assessment and Collateral Information
Observing your behavior in various settings can provide valuable information about your personality traits and patterns of functioning. We may conduct observations during the testing or have you gather information from collateral sources such as family members or friends if you are comfortable. Information from collateral sources, such as family members, friends, or previous treatment providers, can provide additional insight into your personality functioning and help corroborate self-reported symptoms.
Psychological Testing for Personality Disorders
Psychological tests may be used to assess specific aspects of personality, cognitive functioning, or emotional regulation. For example, tests of executive functioning or emotional intelligence may be administered to supplement the assessment process.
Our Work
It’s important to note that diagnosing personality disorders can be complex, and accurate assessment often requires careful consideration of multiple sources of information over time. Additionally, we consider cultural factors, individual differences, and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Treatment planning and intervention strategies should be tailored to your needs and circumstances in addition to the results of our testing.
Contact us anytime or set up a consultation if you have questions about testing for personality disorders or want to get started.
Conclusions and Our Work
It’s important to note that diagnosing personality disorders can be challenging due to the subjectivity involved and the potential for overlapping symptoms. Additionally, personality traits can vary across life stages and situations, further complicating the diagnostic process.
If you have any questions about what testing for personality disorders would be like, whether you are an excellent candidate to benefit from this testing, or if you want to set up an appointment, feel free to get in touch.
