Early Episodes
In our first episodes, we uncover our own journeys to becoming personality experts and explore myths and trends in clinical practice; we define personality; and we discuss how we spot personality disorders by understanding the drama triangle. We examine the various DSM, Millon, and psychodynamic personalities and have fun likening them to ice cream flavors! Going a bit darker, we also look at personalities that kill and ones that didn’t make it into the DSM.
Ep 08: Enneagram Personality Classifications
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.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Enneagram Personality Classifications
While simple on the surface, the more you dig into the Enneagram, the more complex and intriguing this conceptualization of personality becomes. For now, let’s start with the image of the Enneagram.
Doc Fish
Ep 07: Personalities That Kill
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.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Personalities That Kill
Harm to others surrounds us in a ridiculous amount of ways. The popularity of true crime, dark genres, horror media, etc., provides evidence that people are interested in this topic. And of course, there’s always some recent event that can remind us of the darkness people have in them. There is SO much I could say about this topic, but for now: What personalities are at the most risk to kill?
Doc Fish
Psychodynamic Flavors of Personality
Psychodynamic theory views personality a bit differently than both the DSM and Millon. Visually, it’s helpful to see how this ‘Personality Axis’ contains other axes that work together… And as always, we use ice cream to help make this complex topic more ‘digestible!’
Doc Fish
Ep 06: Psychodynamic Personality Classification (As Ice Cream)
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: Blog: Psychodynamic Personality Classification (As Ice Cream)
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Psychodynamic Personality Classification (As Ice Cream)
Psychodynamic theory views personality a bit differently than both the DSM and Millon. Visually, it’s helpful to see how this ‘Personality Axis’ contains other axes that work together… And as always, we use ice cream to help make this complex topic more ‘digestible!’
Doc Fish
Ep 05: Millon's Personality Types (As Ice Cream Flavors)
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!
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Millon's Personality Types (As Ice Cream Flavors)
As with all conceptualizations and theories, none are fully complete. Millon’s theory includes a continuum of severity, ranging from Style to Type to Disorder level. Millon’s expansive understanding of personality is absolutely invaluable both clinically and personally. And of course, we continue with the ice cream theme because – well, why not? #FunAndNerdy
Doc Fish
Ep 04: Personality Disorders as Ice Cream Flavors
In this episode of the Personality Couch, 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. We will highlight the ingredients that make up each disorder and how they manifest in individuals. Personality disorders are presented in three clusters: Cluster A (odd or eccentric), Cluster B (dramatic or erratic), and Cluster C (anxious or fearful) with descriptions and examples of each disorder within these clusters. If you want to jump to a specific cluster, please use one of the timestamps/chapters below.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish