Ep 06: Psychodynamic Personality Classifications (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: https://www.personalitycouch.com/blog/psychodynamic-personality-classification-as-ice-cream/

00:00 Introduction to Psychodynamic Tradition
01:46 The Multidimensional Approach to Personality
02:45 The Severity Axis: From Style to Disorder
05:17 The Organizational Axis: State Change in Personality
    6:46 Neurotic as Freezer Burned Ice Cream
    7:03 Psychotic as Melted Ice Cream
    7:23 Borderline as Melting Ice Cream
10:40 The Character Axis: Personality Categories
11:05 Psychopathic (Antisocial) Personality
11:40 Schizoid Personality
17:36 Self-Defeating (Masochistic) Personality
18:50 Manic and Depressive Personality
    20:58 Cyclophrenic/Borderline Personality
    24:39 The Complexities of the Name “Borderline”
    26:59 Introjective and Anaclitic Depressive Personality
    29:32 Quiet Borderline
31:55 Dissociative Personality
36:32 Summary