Personality Couch

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), focusing on the themes of suicidal ideation and self-harm. We explore the DSM criteria for BPD, the motivations behind self-harming behaviors, and the stigma associated with these actions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional pain experienced by individuals with BPD and the impact on their relationships. We provide insights into navigating these dynamics, the need for professional help, and the significance of setting boundaries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Series

CRISIS RESOURCES

Psychoeducation

In our second episode of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) series, we discuss how this condition manifests in relationships and clinical practice. We explore the pervasive patterns of instability, fear of abandonment, and the role of attachment theory in understanding BPD, while also touching on psychosis and dissociation. Our conversation highlights the challenges faced by individuals with BPD in their relationships and the dynamics that arise in therapeutic settings. We further emphasize the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of BPD and the need for compassionate approaches in treatment.

Chapters

00:00 Borderline DSM Symptoms Overview

Book Referenced:

• 1984 Borderline Book- John Gunderson, M.D.: https://www.amazon.com/Borderline-Personality-Disorder-John-Gunderson/dp/0880480203

Other Resources:

• BPD: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We discuss the stigma and misinformation surrounding BPD, the media's misrepresentation of the disorder, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of its symptoms and diagnosis. The conversation highlights the emotional experiences of individuals with BPD, the criteria for diagnosis, and the importance of recognizing the spectrum of presentations within the disorder. We advocate for a reboot in the classification of personality disorders to better reflect the lived experiences of those affected by BPD.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss common myths surrounding therapy and therapists. We debunk misconceptions about therapists being perfect, the necessity of shared experiences for effective therapy, and the idea that therapists are always analyzing everyone. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy, the reality of therapists' personal struggles, and the motivations behind choosing a career in therapy. We also address the financial aspects of being a therapist and encourage listeners to seek help without being deterred by myths.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Therapy Myths

In this episode, we dive into the concept of the drama triangle, a psychological model that explains interpersonal conflict through three roles: the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. We explore the historical context of the drama triangle, its origins in transactional analysis, and how these roles manifest in relationships, particularly in the context of personality disorders. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing these dynamics to disrupt unhealthy patterns and foster healthier interactions.

00:00 Introduction to the Drama Triangle

In this episode, we discuss how we diagnose personality disorders as licensed professionals in clinical practice. Personality data is often observed as early as the initial contact for treatment. Once treatment begins, we engage in a "meta process" of observing what's going on inside ourselves as professionals, as well as the dynamic in the room. Because of the nuances and complexities of diagnosing personality disorders, psychological testing is an important tool to peel back the layers of the psyche. We end by discussing what psychological testing involves and point listeners to resources if they are interested in an evaluation.

Chapters

Resources

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss four trends we have observed in the post-pandemic world: collective trauma, mental health diagnoses as identity labels, over-identification with neurodivergence, and self-diagnosing. We explore the impact of the pandemic on mental health, including increased anxiety and hostility. We also discuss how mental health diagnoses have become identity labels, providing a sense of validation and belonging. We delve into the over-identification with neurodivergence, particularly autism, and the challenges of diagnosing this condition. Lastly, we address the issue of self-diagnosing and the proliferation of misleading information on social media platforms.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

Articles Referenced:

On Healthcare Workers' Mental Health Symptoms:

On TikTok Mental Health Misinformation: 

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we provide an overview of the Enneagram personality typology as a growth tool instead of a personality "box" or label. We discuss our personal journeys with the Enneagram, our typologies, and how we use this non-diagnostic tool in clinical practice. By exploring the different centers of intelligence (body, head, and heart) and the three types within each center, we highlight the key characteristics and tendencies of each of the 9 types, including their strengths and challenges.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Enneagram

A Few of Our Favorite Enneagram resources:

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss personality darkness and specifically focus on personalities that are prone to violence and extreme behavior. We also discuss two important research studies, the Milgram study and the Stanford prison experiment, that shed light on the capacity for humans to engage in harmful acts. We then delve into the different personality types within Cluster A (schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid); Cluster B (borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic); and Cluster C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) and discuss their risk levels for violence and murder. In this conversation, we also explore sadistic personalities, a category not included in the DSM, but included in multiple other personality theories. We highlight the characteristics and behaviors associated with each type and discuss the potential for violence and destructive behavior. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these personalities and their potential risks in order to promote awareness and better understanding of human behavior.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Personality Darkness and Violence

Cluster A:

Cluster B:

41:44 Sadistic Personalities

Cluster C:

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