Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

What personality disorder could Mrs. K.'s symptoms suggest given her feelings of worthlessness and mood shifts?

1. Reactive depression

2. Narcissistic personality disorder

3. Overanxious reaction to adulthood

4. Borderline personality disorder

The correct answer is: Borderline personality disorder

Mrs. K.'s symptoms, particularly her feelings of worthlessness and mood shifts, align with characteristics of borderline personality disorder. This disorder is often defined by instability in moods, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. Individuals with borderline personality disorder may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that can last just a few hours to a few days. This emotional instability can result in a profound sense of worthlessness, where individuals may feel inadequate or excessively self-critical. Moreover, mood swings are a hallmark of this disorder, where the person's feelings about themselves and their relationships can shift rapidly and unpredictably. This aligns with Mrs. K.'s symptoms, indicating that she may struggle with maintaining a stable sense of self-worth and has difficulty regulating her emotions, both of which are central features of borderline personality disorder. The other options present different contexts or symptom profiles that do not match the particular nuances of her symptoms as closely. For example, reactive depression usually involves a specific stressor leading to depressive symptoms but does not inherently include the interpersonal instability or self-image disturbances seen in Mrs. K.’s case. Narcissistic personality disorder focuses more on an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy, which contrasts with feelings of worthlessness. An over