Tag Archives: neurosis

The Continuum of Character Disturbance – Part 2

conscience, empathy, Entitlement, Narcissism, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Therapy, , , , , , ,

It can be particularly difficult to tell just where someone lies on the character disturbance spectrum. All too often in troubled relationships the extent of a person’s character disturbance only becomes evident long after much damage has already been done.

Character Disturbance Exists Along a Continuum

Neurotics, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, , , , , ,

Knowing where someone truly lies on the character disturbance spectrum is not only important for professionals engaged in assessment and treatment but also for individuals trying to make sound judgments about a potential relationship partner. Without a good sense of what to look for and how to evaluate what you find, you run the risk of learning far too late and after much unnecessary heartache how character impaired a partner might be.

Can We Change our Personality?

Mental Health, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Social Issues, Therapy, , ,

Research evidence has been mounting for some time that the concept of “personality” is not as well-defined as we have long tended to think. And the evidences also suggests that the patterns of behavior that define our personality are not nearly as stable or as immutable as many still believe.

Disturbed Characters and Making Amends

Abuse, Aggression, conscience, Manipulation, Narcissism, Neurotics, Personality and Character Disorders, Relationships, , , , ,

Disturbed characters will expend all kinds of energy in self-serving pursuits. But they simply detest work they perceive is primarily on someone else’s behalf, or working for something that’s not clearly and intentionally self-serving, despite the potential benefit they might derive in the long run. That’s why they tend to give assent or “lip service” to the natural demands of a relationship (Assenting is one of the responsibility-avoidance tactics I outline in In Sheep’s Clothing and Character Disturbance), while resisting the real work of making amends.

Behavior and Impulse Control Disorders – Part 2

Addiction and Recovery, conscience, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Responsibility, Substance Abuse, Therapy, , , , , , ,

It’s an unfortunate reality that when character disturbances either fail to be recognized or are improperly labeled as something else, the problems associated with those disturbances can be “enabled” to continue or even worsen.

Misunderstood Psychology Terms-Pt 2: Personality & Character

Mental Health, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, , , ,

Perhaps no two concepts in psychology are as confusing at times as personality and character. That’s in part because the definitions of both terms have evolved over time. But it’s also because certain misconceptions about the terms have persisted over the years not just in the minds of the general public but also in among professionals.

Misunderstood and Misused Psychology Terms – Part 1

Mental Health, Psychobable, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, Therapy, , , , , , ,

Perceiving the nature of a problem accurately and labeling the psychological realities underlying it correctly are of paramount importance when providing or seeking help. The current series of articles will address some popular misconceptions and the principal reasons important psychological principles and terms are often misused or misunderstood.

Disturbed Characters and Substance Abuse – Wrap Up

Addiction and Recovery, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Relationships, Substance Abuse, Therapy, , , , , ,

A person’s use pattern and prospects for “recovery” are always heavily influenced by their personality dynamics, which is why it’s so essential for character issues to be taken into account in treatment.

Borderline Personalities in Relationships – Wrap Up

Manipulation, Mental Health, Narcissism, Neurotics, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Therapy, , , , , ,

Unlike their more “neurotic” counterparts, mostly character-impaired borderlines don’t just inadvertently manipulate out of their neediness and inadequacy. Rather, they more deliberately engage in dramatic, often hostile gestures to keep others both entangled and exploited.