| multiple personality disorder | A dissociative disorder in which the individual adopts two or more distinct personalities. Each personality is a fully integrated and complex unit with memories, behaviour patterns and social friendships. Transition from one personality to another is sudden. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| cyclothymic personality disorder | A personality disorder in which a person experiences regularly alternating periods of elation and depression, (see bipolar illness) usually not related to external circumstances or situation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| schizoid personality disorder | An individual who is isolated, cold and indifferent. (27 Sep 1997) |
| schizotypal personality disorder | An individual who is eccentric with ideas, reference, magical thinking and suspicious. (27 Sep 1997) |
| histrionic personality disorder | An individual who is dramatic, engaging, self-centreed and attention seeking. (27 Sep 1997) |
| narcissistic personality disorder | An individual with an inflated sense of self-importance. (27 Sep 1997) |
| dependent personality disorder | An individual who fears separation and engaging othhers to assume responsibility (27 Sep 1997) |
| obsessive behaviour | Persistent, unwanted idea or impulse which is considered normal when it does not markedly interfere with mental processes or emotional adjustment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| compulsive | Influenced by compulsion; of a compelling and irresistible nature. (05 Mar 2000) |
| compulsive behaviour | The behaviour of performing an act persistently and repetitively without it leading to reward or pleasure. The act is usually a small, circumscribed behaviour, almost ritualistic, yet not pathologically disturbing. Examples of compulsive behaviour include twirling of hair, checking something constantly, not wanting pennies in change, straightening tilted pictures, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| compulsive idea | A fixed and repetitively recurring idea. (05 Mar 2000) |
| compulsive neurosis | A disorder characterised by the persistent and repetitive intrusion of unwanted thoughts, urges, or actions that the individual is unable to prevent; the compulsive thoughts may consist of single words, ideas, or ruminations often perceived by the sufferer as nonsensical; the repetitive urges or actions vary from simple movements to complex rituals; anxiety or distress is the underlying emotion or drive state, and the ritualistic behaviour is a learned method of reducing the anxiety. Synonym: compulsive neurosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allotropic personality | See: allotropic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anancastic personality | An obsolete term for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antisocial personality | A personality disorder characterised by a continuous and persistent pattern of aggressive behaviour in which the rights of others are violated. See: psychopath, sociopath. Synonym: psychopathic personality. (05 Mar 2000) |