Psychology Unplugged

Personality and Personality Disorders

Feb 1, 2026
Discussion covers how personality forms from early attachment and learned beliefs about self, others, and the world. They explain when patterns become pathological and why diagnosis can be difficult. Treatment options like cognitive therapy and DBT, testing tools such as MMPI and Rorschach, and medication coordination are explored. They also talk about clusters of disorders, narcissism, borderline intensity, and challenges in legal or youth contexts.
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INSIGHT

Personality Is Learned Early

  • Personality is a learned psychological architecture formed by early experiences and attachment.
  • It shapes self-view, view of others, and conclusions used to navigate life.
ANECDOTE

Common Requests For Borderline Testing

  • Many people come for testing to determine whether they have borderline personality disorder.
  • Dr. Nigra says borderline is common and widely misunderstood.
ADVICE

Diagnose Only If Functioning Is Impaired

  • Treat traits as disorders only when they impair social, occupational, or academic functioning.
  • Get comprehensive neuropsych testing before assigning lifelong labels.
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