Personality Disorders in Time of Pandemic

Purpose of Review We report evidence on the negative psychological effects of pandemics in people with personality disorders (PDs) and on the role of personality pathology in compliance with mitigation-related behaviors. Considering the paucity of studies, after a description of the main features of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current psychiatry reports 2020-12, Vol.22 (12), p.80-80, Article 80
Main Authors: Preti, Emanuele, Di Pierro, Rossella, Fanti, Erika, Madeddu, Fabio, Calati, Raffaella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Betacoronavirus
Borderline personality disorder
Compliance
Coronavirus Infections
COVID-19
Editor
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Pandemics
Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders (K Bertsch
Personality Disorders (K Bertsch, Editor)
Pneumonia, Viral
Psychiatry
SARS-CoV-2
Topical Collection on Personality Disorders
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Summary:Purpose of Review We report evidence on the negative psychological effects of pandemics in people with personality disorders (PDs) and on the role of personality pathology in compliance with mitigation-related behaviors. Considering the paucity of studies, after a description of the main features of PDs, on the basis of the current literature on pandemic and quarantine mental health impact, we trace some clinical hypotheses. Recent Findings Paranoid traits and detachment (cluster A) might lead to worse psychological outcomes. Cluster B patients may show more intense stress-related reactions and react strongly to social distancing, especially considering borderline personality disorder. Cluster C patients might be particularly prone to anxiety and stress due to fear of contagion and may be less flexible in adaptation to new routines. Evidence on compliance with mitigation measures is mixed, with lower compliance in cluster B patients and higher in cluster C ones. Summary We suggest that PD patients might be particularly affected by pandemics. Furthermore, they might react differently, according to their main diagnosis. Similarly, compliance with mitigation measures may differ according to specific PDs. Our results should be considered as a starting point to reflect on therapeutic strategies to be adopted in the post-COVID-19 situation.
ISSN:1523-3812
1535-1645
DOI:10.1007/s11920-020-01204-w