Which of the following disorders is NOT included in Cluster A personality disorders?

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

Dependent personality disorder is the correct answer as it is classified under Cluster C, not Cluster A.
Cluster C disorders are characterized by anxious and fearful traits, which is the core feature of this group.
Dependent personality disorder specifically involves a pervasive psychological dependence on other people, a core trait of the 'Anxious, Fearful' cluster.

Option A: This is incorrect. Paranoid personality disorder is a classic Cluster A ('Odd, Eccentric') disorder.
Option B: This is incorrect. Schizotypal personality disorder is a core member of Cluster A ('Odd, Eccentric').
Option C: This is incorrect. Schizoid personality disorder belongs to Cluster A ('Odd, Eccentric').

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of Personality Disorders into DSM-5 Clusters (A, B, C) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding personality disorder clusters helps nurses anticipate patient behaviors, establish therapeutic boundaries, and tailor communication strategies. For example, a patient with a Cluster A disorder may require a straightforward, non-intrusive approach due to their inherent mistrust or detachment.
This classification provides a framework for predicting potential challenges in the nurse-patient relationship and planning interventions to manage them effectively.
What if the patient exhibited dramatic, attention-seeking, and emotionally labile behavior? This would suggest a Cluster B disorder (like Histrionic or Borderline), requiring the nurse to set firm limits and manage potential manipulation, a different approach than for Cluster A or C.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core question: It asks for the exception among Cluster A disorders. The keyword 'NOT' is critical.
Recall the three clusters of personality disorders: A, B, and C.
Associate a simple mnemonic with the clusters: Cluster A ('Weird'), Cluster B ('Wild'), and Cluster C ('Worried'). This corresponds to the descriptive categories: Odd/Eccentric, Dramatic/Erratic, and Anxious/Fearful.
Systematically check each option against your knowledge of Cluster A (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal).
The option that does not fit into the 'Weird' or 'Odd/Eccentric' group is the correct answer.
Dependent personality disorder, with its theme of needing others, clearly falls into the 'Worried' or 'Anxious/Fearful' category (Cluster C).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of Personality Disorders into DSM-5 Clusters (A, B, C)
Stem keywords: personality disorders, Cluster A
Lead-in keywords: NOT included
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses negative framing ('NOT included'), requiring you to identify the option that is an exception.

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E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1777-1779, 1799-1801

Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.