Personality Couch
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. Join clinical psychologists, Dr. Rebecca Houvener, Psy.D, (“Doc Bok”) and Dr. Cheyenne Fisher, Psy.D., (“Doc Fish”) biweekly as they unpack the most complex topics like personality disorders and psychopathic behavior, while also making room for lighthearted discussions about personality typologies and humorous anecdotes from private practice. Whether you’re fascinated by personality darkness, a concerned friend or loved one, an “armchair psychologist,” or a licensed professional convinced there is something more going on with patients…. This show is for you.
Episodes

2 days ago
2 days ago
21 min
Histrionic Personality Disorder | The 8 DSM Criteria | Ep. 61
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the 8 criteria of histrionic personality disorder in the DSM. We discuss their tendency to engage in attention-seeking and seductive behaviors, coming across as emotionally shallow. Histrionic personalities also focus heavily on their appearance and use fluffy, impressionistic speech. Others perceive them as dramatic and suggestible - easily believing what others say regardless of the facts. They also tend to overestimate their connections to others, believing relationships are deeper than they actually are.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Introduction to Histrionic Personality Disorder00:39 DSM I (1952) Histrionic Criteria01:12 DSM II (1968) Histrionic Criteria01:33 DSM III (1980) Histrionic Criteria02:21 DSM III-R (1987) Histrionic Criteria03:22 DSM IV (1994) Histrionic Criteria03:35 DSM 5-TR Criteria Introduction04:17 Criterion 1: Attention Seeking05:27 Criterion 2: Seductive & Provocative Behavior06:16 Criterion 3: Shifting & Shallow Affect07:54 Criterion 4: Draws Attention Using Appearance09:05 Criterion 5: Fluffy, Impressionistic Speech09:59 Criterion 6: Dramatic & Theatrical11:34 Criterion 7: Suggestibility13:27 Criterion 8: Connection Overestimation 14:34 Lower Interpersonal Impairment16:20 Our Thoughts21:05 Summary & Ending
👩⚕️Work With Us! https://www.questpsych.org/
Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/histrionic-personality-disorder-diagnostic-criteria/
Podcast Episode Referenced: Hysteria, Histrionic, & the Demonization of Women | Ep. 60 : https://youtu.be/3KkVWJ4um-8
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Aug 11, 2026
Aug 11, 2026
30 min
Hysteria, Histrionic, & the Demonization of Women | Ep. 60
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) discuss the horrible and inhumane history of hysteria in medicine by investigating how Dr. Jean Martin Charcot used the Salpetriere Hospital in France as a “Museum of Living Pathology” to showcase his hypnotic and showman skills over hysterical women. We look at Freud’s contribution to hysteria and the oppressive, patriarchal society of the 1880s that led to these unexplained symptoms in women. We continue the discussion by walking through the DSM’s hysteria to histrionic personality evolution before sharing our own thoughts and opinions about this condition’s stigmatized name and the maltreatment of women in medicine throughout history.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Introduction & History of Hysteria01:39 Hysteria as a Medical Condition (Charcot)04:00 Could Men Have Hysteria?04:33 Women & Society in 188006:14 Charcot Treats Hysterics at Salpetriere Hospital06:51 Dermagraphism Defined07:27 Charcot’s “Museum of Living Pathology”09:25 Freud’s Contribution to Hysteria11:58 Was Freud Hysterical?14:47 The Societal Context for Hysteria16:02 The Disappearance of Hysteria in the 1900s 16:46 WW I’s Impact on Hysteria 17:37 Advances in Medicine and Neuroscience18:08 Hysteria Makes a Comeback in the DSM I in 1952!20:04 DSM I (1952): Hysteria as Symptoms without Medical Basis20:16 DSM II (1968) Hysterical Neurosis 20:34 Conversion Type21:19 Dissociative Type21:55 DSM II (1968) Hysterical Personality23:24 Hysterical Personality vs Symptoms23:47 DSM III Forward: Somaticization, Dissociation, Histrionic, & Borderline Personality24:40 Our Thoughts 25:24 Is Antisocial the Masculine Histrionic Counterpart? 27:55 Did Freud & Charcot Know More Than They Let On? 29:40 Conclusion
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Jul 28, 2026
Jul 28, 2026
29 min
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder vs Schizoid Personality | Ep. 59
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the nuanced differences and overlaps between obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and schizoid personality disorder(SzPD). We investigate each personality’s core drives, emotional experiences, and defense mechanisms, using a psychodynamic lens to capture these very different (yet similar) personalities.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Intro & Definitions 01:27 OCPD Defined 02:20 Schizoid Defined (DSM) 02:48 Schizoid Defined (Psychodynamic)03:10 OCPD vs Antisocial04:04 OCPD vs Narcissism04:52 OCPD vs Schizoid (DSM)05:40 OCPD vs Schizoid (Psychodynamic)05:54 OCPD vs Schizoid (Nancy McWilliams) 06:52 Emotionality & Flatness 07:55 Therapeutic Approach09:52 Differing Inner Needs (PDM) 10:06 OCPD Child: Orderly, Aggressive, Irritable 10:25 Schizoid Child: Sensitive, Shy, Overstimulated 11:02 Emotions in OCPD: Anger, Guilt, Anxiety, Shame, Fear 11:32 Emotions in Schizoid: Emotional Pain, Overstimulation 12:10 Defense Mechanisms in OCPD 13:03 Defense Mechanisms in Schizoid13:57 Maladaptive Beliefs (PDM) 14:12 OCPD: Feelings Are Dangerous 14:25 Schizoid: Dependency & Love Are Dangerous 15:16 OCPD: Others Are Less Precise 16:01 Schizoid: Others Are Impinging and Dangerous16:44 Internal Conflicts (PDM) 16:51 OCPD: To Comply or Defy 17:13 Schizoid: Fearing Yet Yearning for Closeness17:29 Are Schizoids Afraid?17:45 Millon’s OC-Schizoid Mixed Subtypes 18:02 Affectless Schizoid 20:53 Parsimonious Constricted Compulsive23:23 Our Thoughts 24:10 Enneagram 5 & Schizoid 24:38 Enneagram 1 & OCPD 24:54 Enneagram 6 & OCPD 25:54 Is OCPD a Core Personality? 27:18 Problems with Therapy & Self-Discovery in OCPD28:39 Summary & Closing
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Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/obsessive-compulsive-vs-schizoid/
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Jul 14, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
33 min
The 6 Obsessive Compulsive Personality Subtypes | Ep. 58
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the 6 subtypes of OCPD according to Dr. Theodore Millon. At the mild level, we explore the Conscientiously Reliable (Dependent Features) and the Perfectionistically Reliable, while at the Moderate level, we look at Bureaucratically Constricted (Narcissistic Features) and the Parsimoniously Constricted (Schizoid, Avoidant Features) . We conclude by discussing the more severe subtypes like Puritanical Compulsive (Paranoid Features) and the Bedeviled Compulsive (Negativistic) before sharing our thoughts and experiences in clinical practice.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Intro & Definition of OCPD01:34 When Perfectionism is Valuable03:17 Compulsive Overlaps with All Personalities06:13 Intro to Millon’s Personality Theory06:27 The Mild Obsessive Compulsive Personality 07:31 Conscientiously Reliable 10:17 Perfectionistically Reliable12:12 Our Personal and Clinical Experience 14:16 Comparing & Contrasting Mild Obsessive Compulsive Subtypes15:15 The Moderate Obsessive Compulsive Personality 16:33 The Bureaucratically Constricted 19:31 Parsimoniously Constricted 21:00 Millon’s Case Named Jane22:38 The Severe Obsessive Compulsive Personality 23:15 Puritanical Compulsive 27:27 Bedeviled Compulsive31:28 Comparing & Contrasting the 3 Severity Levels32:28 Summary & Ending
👩⚕️Work With Us! https://www.questpsych.org/
Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/obsessive-compulsive-personality-subtypes/
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Jun 30, 2026
Jun 30, 2026
29 min
psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the inner conflict in those with OCPD: to comply or to defy. We look at defense mechanisms and early attachment (and even potty training!) that drives their fixated behavior.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Intro & Definition of OCPD02:47 Obsessive vs Compulsive Defined04:04 OCPD vs OCD: Ego-syntonic vs ego-dystonic05:29 The Internal Dysfunction in OCPD05:58 The Role of Potty Training in Developing OCPD08:31 Why is Potty Training Connected with Personality? 10:38 The Central Conflict of Defying or Complying14:16 Defense Mechanisms in OCPD 14:20 Reaction Formation Defined 15:29 Isolation of Affect 16:21 Emotional Exceptions: Righteous Anger & Shame18:21 OCPD vs Schizoid 19:36 OCPD vs Psychosis20:26 Compulsive Behavior of Undoing20:53 When Compulsive Behavior is Pathological (and Not)21:58 Compulsivity and Omnipotent Control 22:46 Thoughts Behind Compulsive Behavior24:28 Our Thoughts & Clinical Experience with OCPD 25:23 The “Compulsive Personality Shell” 26:31 Compulsive Flavors in Other Personalities28:32 Summary & Conclusion
👩⚕️Work With Us! https://www.questpsych.org/
Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder-diagnostic-criteria/
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Jun 16, 2026
Jun 16, 2026
32 min
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the straightforward history of this condition, looking at fun names in history like anankastic and ambitendency. We also unpack the evolution of OCPD in the DSM, highlighting how our own compulsivity shows up in the naming and renaming of the disorder throughout history. We look in detail at the 8 criteria in the DSM and share our thoughts and criticisms about the DSM’s portrayal of this condition.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Intro & History of OCPD00:35 The Term “Zwang” 01:21 The Term “Anankastic”02:08 The Term “Psychasthenia State”02:31 Freud’s Anal Character02:57 OCPD vs OCD 04:17 The Terms: Sensitive, Insecure, Ambitendency04:33 The Terms: Hoarding Orientation, Obsessive Character, Rigid Styles05:53 History of OCPD in the DSM 06:05 OCPD in the DSM I 06:31 OCPD in the DSM II 07:08 New OCPD Criteria in the DSM III 09:07 New OCPD Criteria in the DSM III-R 11:10 OCPD in the DSM IV 12:06 OCPD in the DSM 5 13:04 Criterion 1: Order, Perfectionism, Control 15:44 Criterion 2: Extreme Perfectionism 17:51 Criterion 3: Work Focused 21:15 Criterion 4: Inflexible Values 23:11 Criterion 5: Hoarding 24:33 Criterion 6: Controlling 26:03 Criterion 7: Financially Stingy 26:59 Criterion 8: Rigidity27:44 Our Thoughts & Opinions30:11 Summary & Conclusion
👩⚕️Work With Us! https://www.questpsych.org/
Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder-diagnostic-criteria/
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Jun 2, 2026
Jun 2, 2026
40 min
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex interplay between antisocial and schizoid personalities, highlighting their similarities, differences, and potential for danger when combined. Using the well-documented case of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, we analyze how these personality traits can manifest in deadly ways, especially when mixed with other dark features.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Intro00:37 Schizoid Personality Defined01:03 Antisocial Personality Defined01:23 How Schizoid and Antisocial Differ 02:11 Schizoid & Antisocial Similarities 02:22 Neglectful Childhood 02:52 Unresponsive to Environment 04:10 Non-Conforming 05:13 Aloofness05:54 The Nomadic Antisocial Defined (Schizoid Overlap)07:25 When Nomadic Antisocials Turn Dark09:26 When Detachment Turns Psychopathic10:27 Three Personalities Associated with Violent Crime13:12 Serial Killer & Necrophile: Dennis Nilsen | Our Disclaimer14:35 Dennis Nilsen’s Backstory 17:56 Nilsen’s First Murder19:27 Our Psychoanalysis of The Murders 22:11 Did He Want to Get Caught? 23:34 Attracted to Men Resembling His Sister 24:20 Rejection of Same-Sex Attraction 25:43 Alcohol's Role in Murder 27:04 Dissection, Disposal, & Dissociation 28:25 Boiling the Skulls? 31:20 Trial & Psych Evaluators 32:07 Detachment & Curiosity: A Schizoid Dynamic 33:30 Would Prison Meet Social Needs? 35:30 Was Nilsen a Passive Affectionless Psychopath?37:50 Enneagram Antisocial & Schizoid Overlap38:56 Summary & Conclusion
👩⚕️Work with Us!https://www.questpsych.org/
Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/antisocial-personality-vs-psychopathy/
Podcasts Referenced:https://youtu.be/VHWPYjyKpdw
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May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026
34 min
Antisocial vs Narcissistic Personality | What's the Difference? | Ep. 54
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the distinctions between antisocial personality and narcissistic personality by analyzing DSM diagnoses, Stones' Spectrum of Dark Personalities, and subtypes from Dr. Theodore Millon like: Reputation-Defending Devious, Exploitative Egotist, and the Unprincipled Narcissist.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Introduction and Definitions 00:32 Narcissism Defined 02:10 Antisocial Defined02:25 Antisocial Behaviors: Psychoanalysis of Ourselves07:53 Antisocial Developmental Stage09:11 Narcissistic Developmental Stage10:37 The DSM on Antisocial vs Narcissistic PDs12:27 Passive Parasitic vs Aggressive Antisocial Types13:17 Michael Stone’s Spectrum of Dark Personalities13:43 Malignant Narcissism Defined15:31 Active vs Passive Entitlement16:14 Millon’s Theory: ASPD vs NPD21:55 Millon’s Subtypes 22:21 Reputation Defending Devious 23:07 Exploitative Egoist 24:13 Unprincipled Narcissist25:40: Our Thoughts & Opinions31:28 Ego Cookies in Narci vs Antisocial31:56 Summary & Conclusion
👩⚕️Work With Us! https://www.questpsych.org/
Personality Couch Links🛋️Websitehttps://www.personalitycouch.com/
✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)https://personalitycouch.com/blog/antisocial-personality-vs-psychopathy/

May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026
28 min
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex distinctions between antisocial personality and psychopathy, delving into historical terminology, key theories, and nuanced subtypes. This episode offers a deep dive into dark personality traits and how they differ.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters00:00 Intro & History of Antisocial vs Psychopathy 00:36 Psychopath and Sociopath Defined 01:54 Cleckley’s Mask of Sanity03:21 Psychodynamic Theory on Psychopathy vs Antisocial04:17 The DSM on Psychopathy vs Antisocial04:35 Michael Stone’s Negative Personality Spectrum 05:15 Level 1: Negative Personalities 05:41 Level 2: Narcissistic & Paranoid Personality Disorders 07:10 Level 3: Malignant Narcissism 08:43 Level 4: Antisocial Personality Disorder 09:28 Level 5: Psychopathy 10:20 Level 6: Sadistic Personality12:32 Robert Hare's Psychopathy Checklist13:54 Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist vs DSM Antisocial 17:20 Millon’s Theory on Psychopathy 19:30 Spineless Psychopath 19:43 Unprincipled Psychopath (Narcissistic Core) 19:51 Disingenuous Psychopath (Histrionic Core) 21:13 Risk-Taking Psychopath (Histrionic & Antisocial Features) 21:26 Covetous Psychopath (Antisocial Core) 21:57 Malignant Psychopath (Paranoid Core) 22:10 Abrasive Psychopath (Negativistic & Paranoid Features) 22:21 Explosive Psychopath (Sadistic Core, Borderline Features) 22:58 Malevolent Psychopath (Paranoid & Sadistic Features) 23:34 Tyrannical Psychopath (Negativistic & Sadistic Features)24:19 Our Thoughts27:14 Summary & Conclusion

Apr 21, 2026
Apr 21, 2026
44 min
🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the passive-parasitic and aggressive subtypes from history before jumping into Dr. Theodore Millon’s 6 subtypes. At the mild level, we look at: the Covetously Aggrandizing & Disaffected Aggrandizing Antisocials. At the moderate level, we explore the Risk-Taking Devious and Reputation-Defending Devious Antisocials. At the severe/disordered level, we discuss the Nomadic & Malevolent Antisocial Subtypes. We end with our thoughts and opinions about the line for disorder and explain why the antisocial personality is so challenging to understand.
⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️
Chapters0:00 Intro to Antisocial’s Historical Names02:16 Are antisocials born or made (psychopath vs sociopath)? 03:14 Passive-parasitic and Aggressive Antisocials04:32 What is a Normal Antisocial Personality? 04:40 The Adventurer 05:45 The Unconventional Antisocial 08:28 Intro to Millon’s 6 Subtypes08:48 Mild Level: Aggrandizing Antisocial 09:59 Does Dominance Fill an Inner Void? 10:52 The Covetously Aggrandizing Antisocial 11:22 Criminal Behavior at the Mild Level 15:11 The Disaffected Aggrandizing Antisocial 17:06 Proneness to Addiction 18:11 Proneness to Infidelity 19:02 Contrasting the Mild Types20:25 Moderate Level: The Devious Antisocial 21:39 Risk-Taking Devious (Histrionic & Turbulent Features) 25:56 Reputation-Defending Antisocial (Narcissistic & Sadistic Features) 27:24 Proneness to Criminal Behavior 28:02 Relationship & Work Challenges 29:17 What Are They Defending?31:17 Severe Level: Antisocial Personality Disorder 31:45 Nomadic Antisocial (Schizoid & Avoidant Features) 33:18 Doom & Invincibility Focus 36:54 Malevolent Antisocial (Sadistic & Paranoid Features)41:49 Our Thoughts & Opinions43:46 Summary & Conclusion








