This episode explains what it means to be diagnosed with a "personality disorder," including how psychologists understand what personality is, when it's pathological, and how clinicians diagnose it.

Is "borderline personality disorder" or "narcissistic personality disorder" a fancy term for "toxic"? In this episode, Dr. Kibby dives deeper into the nuanced way psychologists understand personality pathology. She gives an overview of the history of personality disorders and their diagnostic criteria, peeling back the stigma to reveal what’s really happening when someone gets diagnosed. She talks about why these conditions are about persistent, pervasive patterns that impact daily life, not character flaws or moral failures. In this episode, you'll hear:

• How clinicians differentiate between personality disorders and other mental health issues
• The evolution from categorical to dimensional models in modern diagnostics like the DSM-5
• The key features that make these patterns impairing and how they develop over time
• Why some people develop personality disorders
• Why flexibility and adaptation are crucial for change

Personality disorders are not about being a bad person who can't change- they’re about understanding how complex patterns shape us and learning how to rewire them.

Resources:

• Krueger, R. F., & Hobbs, K. A. (2020). An overview of the DSM-5 alternative model of personality disorders. Psychopathology, 53(3-4), 126-132.

• Personality Inventory for DSM-5

• If you're close to someone with a personality disorder and need support, book a free call with Dr. Kibby to learn more about KulaMind