In this episode of the Personality Couch, we discuss personality flavors and typologies from a psychodynamic lens, using ice cream as our metaphor. Unique to the psychodynamic perspective is the multi-dimensional way it captures personality. We explore psychodynamic’s three personality axes throughout the episode: the severity axis (ranging from personality style to disorder level); the organizational axis (representing movement and disintegration within personality structures); and the character axis (representing distinct personality names and characteristics). We further explore psychopathic, schizoid, depressive and manic, self-defeating, borderline/cyclophrenic, and dissociative personality structures within this framework. A note to our audience: this is a complex and deep topic, and we recommend tuning in to episodes 04 and 05 first: Personality Disorders as Ice Cream Flavors and Millon’s Personality Types (as Ice Cream flavors) first before diving in. Alternatively, you can check out our blogs with visual aides here to guide you: https://www.personalitycouch.com/blog/psychodynamic-personality-classification-as-ice-cream/

00:00 Introduction to Psychodynamic Tradition

In this episode, we continue discussing personality typologies, focusing on Dr. Theodore Millon's classifications. We explore six unique types in terms of their characteristics, behaviors, and potential co-occurring disorders. Speculating on what ice cream flavor each type would be, we use creative and humorous descriptions to bring levity to an otherwise complex topic!

Chapters

In this episode, we discuss the different types of personality disorders and compare them to flavors of ice cream. We explore the personality disorders that are always in season and the ones that come and go depending on cultural and social factors. Highlighting the “ingredients” that make up each disorder and how they manifest, we explore the DSM-5-TR classifications of: Cluster A (odd or eccentric), Cluster B (dramatic or erratic), and Cluster C (anxious or fearful). If you want to jump to a specific cluster, just use one of the timestamps/chapters below. If you’re new to personality disorders, we recommend starting at timestamp 11:17 and returning to the beginning after a more thorough explanation of each disorder.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro/Overview of the Personality Flavors

Cluster A

Cluster B

Cluster C

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss how to spot a personality disorder. We start with the definition of a personality disorder according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM), which includes enduring patterns of behavior that deviate from cultural expectations and cause distress/impairment. We also introduce the concept of the personality drama triangle, where individuals can take on different roles as a rescuer, persecutor, or victim. We discuss how to spot personality disorders through observations of thinking patterns, moods, relationships, and impulsivity. We emphasize the importance of trusting your intuition and paying attention to your body's reactions when interacting with someone who may have a personality disorder.

Chapters

Introduction

How Personality Disorders Show Up

Spotting Personality Disorders

Disconnecting From Personality Disorder Dynamics

Conclusions

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we talk a little more about our intrigue for personality, pathology, and darkness, which influence our media consumption. We discuss seeing personality everywhere - from pets to babies to our everyday relationships. Walking through history, we explore various classifications including, the Four Temperaments, Freud and Psychoanalysis, the MBTI, the Big 5, and more! We look at the American Psychological Association’s (APA’s) definition and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which includes the field’s current classification of personality disorders.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Intrigue of Personality Darkness in Media

Historical Classifications of Personality

Modern Classifications of Personality

In this episode, we (Doc Bok and Doc Fish) introduce ourselves and share our personality journeys and career paths! Doc Bok talks about her windy journey to personality, which includes deciding between her doctorate or a career in the FBI. Doc Fish shares about her linear journey to personality and psychology starting in childhood and her intrigue into psychodynamic work with clients. We both discuss why personality is so important, as well as different modalities and approaches to understanding personality, all the while emphasizing the complexity and nuances involved. We express our curiosity and desire to understand people, sharing a mutual passion for the detective work needed to solve the most challenging personality puzzles!

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

We all encounter personality conflict on a regular basis, whether we know it or not. From funky, can’t-quite-put-my-finger-on-it dynamics with that one friend or family member, to the big blowup drama at work with the last person you’d expect, it all comes down to personality.