Anxiety & Personality Disorders · NEET PG Preparation Psychiatry
A 26-year-old woman is evaluated for a history of unstable interpersonal relationships, recurrent suicidal threats, chronic feelings of emptiness, in…
Practice question from Anxiety & Personality Disorders (NEET PG Preparation Psychiatry), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.
medium · MCQ · Q-97CDCE
A 26-year-old woman is evaluated for a history of unstable interpersonal relationships, recurrent suicidal threats, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense fear of abandonment, and impulsivity in spending and reckless driving. She frequently oscillates between idealizing and devaluing her friends and partners. Which defense mechanism is classically and predominantly associated with this personality disorder?
- A.Intellectualization
- B.SplittingCorrect answer
- C.Reaction formation
- D.Altruism
Solution
The patient exhibits features of Borderline Personality Disorder (Cluster B). The hallmark defense mechanism of borderline personality disorder is 'splitting', where people, situations, or oneself are viewed as all-good or all-bad.
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