Which personality disorder is classified in cluster C?

Which personality disorder is classified in cluster C?

• A. Antisocial
• B. Paranoid
• C. Avoidant
• D. Histrionic

Answer: (C)

Cluster C includes personality disorders characterized by anxious or fearful traits. Avoidant personality disorder fits this cluster because it centers on social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, which keep a person from forming close relationships despite wanting them. This anxious, fearful pattern is what links avoidant to the other disorders in the same cluster, such as dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. By contrast, antisocial personality reflects a disregard for others and rule-breaking (a more antisocial, dramatic pattern in cluster B), paranoid involves pervasive distrust and suspicion (cluster A), and histrionic features exaggerated emotionality and attention seeking (also cluster B).

Cluster C includes personality disorders characterized by anxious or fearful traits. Avoidant personality disorder fits this cluster because it centers on social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, which keep a person from forming close relationships despite wanting them. This anxious, fearful pattern is what links avoidant to the other disorders in the same cluster, such as dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. By contrast, antisocial personality reflects a disregard for others and rule-breaking (a more antisocial, dramatic pattern in cluster B), paranoid involves pervasive distrust and suspicion (cluster A), and histrionic features exaggerated emotionality and attention seeking (also cluster B).