A personality disorder which is also called 'negativistic personality disorder' is:

UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Explanation

Passive-aggressive personality disorder is the correct answer as it is historically and clinically known by the alternative name 'negativistic personality disorder'.
This condition is defined by a pervasive pattern of negative attitudes (negativism) and passive, indirect resistance to authority and social or occupational expectations.
Key behaviors include procrastination, intentional inefficiency, stubbornness, and sullenness in response to demands for performance.
While removed as a distinct diagnosis from the main text of the DSM-5, the term describes a specific pattern of behavior, and its synonym 'negativistic' is a key piece of psychiatric terminology.

Option B: Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation or rejection. The core issue is fear and avoidance, not passive resistance.
Option C: Sadistic personality disorder involves a pattern of cruel, demeaning, and aggressive behavior directed towards others. This is characterized by active hostility and a desire to inflict suffering, which is the opposite of the passive, indirect aggression seen in negativistic personality disorder.
Option D: Dependent personality disorder is marked by a pervasive psychological need to be cared for by other people. This leads to submissive, clinging behavior and fears of separation, not the opposition and negativity characteristic of passive-aggressive behavior.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Synonyms and classification of personality disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses may find it challenging to care for patients with passive-aggressive traits, as they might agree to a treatment plan but then indirectly sabotage it (e.g., 'forgetting' to take medication, being late for appointments).
Recognizing these behaviors is crucial for effective communication. Instead of confrontation, it is more effective to use clear, non-punitive communication, set firm boundaries, and clearly state the consequences of non-adherence.
What if? If a patient openly and verbally refuses to follow instructions and argues constantly with staff, the behavior is more indicative of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or antisocial traits, rather than passive-aggressive behavior, which is characterized by its indirect and covert nature.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of psychiatric terminology.
First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'negativistic personality disorder'.
The question asks for a synonym. Your task is to recall which of the given options is an alternative name for this disorder.
Systematically review the options. 'Passive-aggressive' directly relates to the concept of expressing negativity and aggression in a passive or indirect way.
Eliminate the other options based on their core definitions: Avoidant (fear of rejection), Sadistic (cruelty), and Dependent (need to be cared for), which do not align with 'negativistic'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QE7iDe3qQi25MQy9t-RqgQ

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1798-1800, 1795-1797, 1778-1780