Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

What should not be included when assessing a personality disorder?

1. The presence of mood swings

2. The presence of hallucinations

3. Long-term behavioral patterns

4. Client's interpersonal relationships

The correct answer is: The presence of hallucinations

When assessing a personality disorder, it is crucial to focus on long-term patterns of behavior and internal experiences that define how a person interacts with themselves and the world. Hallucinations, which involve perceiving things that are not present (such as sounds or sights that others cannot perceive), are typically associated with psychotic disorders rather than personality disorders. Identifying hallucinations is important for understanding the individual's mental health but does not contribute to the classification of personality disorders, which are characterized by enduring behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. In contrast, mood swings, long-term behavioral patterns, and interpersonal relationships are significant components of personality disorder evaluations. Mood swings can indicate the emotional instability often found in certain personality disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder. Long-term behavioral patterns provide insight into how a person consistently behaves, which is essential for diagnosing personality disorders that rely on chronic maladaptive behaviors. Finally, assessing interpersonal relationships reveals how a person relates to others, which is central to understanding personality structure and the manifestations of the disorder. Therefore, hallucinations are not a part of this assessment process, making them the correct exclusion in this context.