The Millon-Grossman Personality Domain Checklist  (MG-PDC™)

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A. Impassive: Is colorless, sluggish, displaying deficits in activation and motoric expressiveness; appears to be in a persistent state of low energy and lack of vitality (e.g., phlegmatic and lacking in spontaneity)

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B. Peculiar: Is perceived by others as eccentric, disposed to behave in an unobtrusively aloof, curious or bizarre manner; exhibits socially gauche habits and aberrant mannerisms (e.g., manifestly odd or eccentric)

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C. Fretful: Fearfully scans environment for social derogation; overreacts to innocuous events and judges them to signify personal derision and mockery (e.g., anxiously anticipates ridicule/humiliation)

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D. Incompetent: Ill-equipped to assume mature and independent roles; is passive and lacking functional competencies, avoiding self-assertion and withdrawing from adult responsibilities (e.g., has difficulty doing things on his/her own)

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E. Impetuous: Is forcefully energetic and driven, highly excitable and overzealous; often worked-up, unrestrained, rash and hotheaded (e.g., is restless and socially intrusive)

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F. Dramatic: Is histrionically over-reactive and stimulus-seeking, resulting in unreflected and theatrical responsiveness; describes penchant for sensational situations and short-sighted hedonism  (e.g., overly emotional and artificially affected)

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G. Haughty: Manifests an air of being above conventional rules of shared social living, viewing them as naïve or inapplicable to self; reveals an egocentric indifference to the needs of others (e.g., acts arrogantly self-assured and confident)

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H. Defensive: Is vigilantly guarded, hyperalert to ward off anticipated deception and malice; is tenaciously resistant to sources of external influence (e.g., disposed to be wary, envious and jealous)

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I. Impulsive: Since adolescence, acts thoughtlessly and irresponsibly in social matters; is shortsighted, heedless, incautious and imprudent, failing to plan ahead or consider legal consequences (e.g., conduct disorder evident before age 15)

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J. Precipitate: Is stormy and unpredictably abrupt, reckless, thick-skinned and unflinching, seemingly undeterred by pain; is attracted to challenge, as well as undaunted by punishment (e.g., attracted to risk, danger and harm)

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K. Disconsolate: Appearance and posture convey an irrelievably forlorn, heavy-hearted, if not grief-stricken quality; markedly dispirited and discouraged (e.g., somberly seeks others to be protective)

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L. Abstinent: Presents self as nonindulgent, frugal and chaste, refraining from exhibiting signs of pleasure or attractiveness; acts in an unpresuming and self-effacing manner, placing self in an inferior light (e.g., undermines own good fortune)

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M. Resentful: Exhibits inefficiency, erratic, contrary and irksome behaviors; reveals gratification in undermining the pleasures and expectations of others (e.g., uncooperative, contrary and stubborn)

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N. Spasmodic: Displays a desultory energy level with sudden, unexpected self-punitive outbursts; endogenous shifts in emotional state places behavioral equilibrium in constant jeopardy (e.g., does impulsive, self-damaging acts)

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O. Disciplined: Maintains a regulated, repetitively structured and highly organized life; often  insists that others adhere to personally established rules and methods (e.g., meticulous and perfectionistic)

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A. Unengaged: Is indifferent to the actions or feelings of others, possessing minimal “human” interests; ends up with few close relationships and a limited role in work and family settings (e.g., has few desires or interests)

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B. Secretive: Strives for privacy, with limited personal attachments and obligations; drifts into increasingly remote and clandestine social activities (e.g., is enigmatic and withdrawn)

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C. Aversive: Reports extensive history of social anxiety and isolation; seeks social acceptance, but maintains careful distance to avoid anticipated humiliation and derogation (e.g., is socially pan-anxious and fearfully guarded)

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D. Submissive: Subordinates needs to a stronger and nurturing person, without whom will feel alone and anxiously helpless; is compliant, conciliatory, and self-sacrificing (e.g., generally docile, deferential and placating)

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E. High-Spirited: Is unremittingly full of life and socially buoyant; attempts to engage others in an animated, vivacious and lively manner; often seen by others, however, as intrusive and needlessly insistent (e.g., is persistently overbearing)

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F. Attention-Seeking: Is self-dramatizing, and actively solicits praise in a showy manner to gain desired attention and approval; manipulates others and is emotionally demanding (e.g., seductively flirtatious and exhibitionistic) 

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G. Exploitive: Acts entitled, self-centered, vain and unempathic; expects special favors without assuming reciprocal responsibilities; shamelessly takes others for granted and uses them to enhance self and indulge desires (e.g., egocentric and socially inconsiderate)

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H. Provocative: Displays a quarrelsome, fractious and distrustful attitude; bears serious grudges and precipitates exasperation by a testing of loyalties and a searching preoccupation with hidden motives (e.g., unjustly questions fidelity of spouse/friend)

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I. Irresponsible: Is socially untrustworthy and unreliable, intentionally or carelessly failing to meet personal obligations of a marital, parental, employment or financial nature; actively violates established civil codes through duplicitous or illegal behaviors (e.g., shows active disregard for rights of others)

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J. Abrasive: Reveals satisfaction in competing with, dominating and humiliating others; regularly expresses verbally abusive and derisive social commentary, as well as exhibiting harsh, if not physically brutal behavior (e.g., intimidates, coerces and demeans others)

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K. Defenseless: Feels and acts vulnerable and guilt-ridden; fears emotional abandonment and seeks public assurances of affection and devotion (e.g., needs supportive relationships to bolster hopeless outlook)

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L. Deferential: Relates to others in a self-sacrificing, servile and obsequious manner, allowing, if not encouraging others to exploit or take advantage; is self-abasing, accepting undeserved blame and unjust criticism (e.g., courts others to be exploitive and mistreating)

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M. Contrary: Assumes conflicting roles in social relationships, shifting from dependent acquiescence to assertive independence; is obstructive toward others, behaving either negatively or erratically (e.g., sulky and argumentative in response to requests)

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N. Paradoxical: Needing extreme attention and affection, but acts unpredictably, manipulatively and volatile, frequently eliciting rejection rather than support; reacts to fears of separation and isolation in angry, mercurial and often self-damaging ways (e.g., is emotionally needy, but interpersonally erratic)

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O. Respectful: Exhibits unusual adherence to social conventions and proprieties; prefers polite, formal and “correct” personal relationships (e.g., interpersonally proper and dutiful)

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A. Impoverished: Seems deficient in human spheres of knowledge and evidences vague thought processes about everyday matters that are below intellectual level; social communications are easily derailed or conveyed via a circuitous logic (e.g., lacks awareness of human relations)

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B. Autistic: Intrudes social communications with personal irrelevancies; there is notable circumstantial speech, ideas of reference and metaphorical asides; is ruminative, appears self-absorbed and lost in occasional magical thinking; there is a marked blurring of fantasy and reality (e.g., exhibits peculiar ideas and superstitious beliefs)

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C. Distracted: Is bothered by disruptive and often distressing inner thoughts; the upsurge from within of irrelevant and digressive ideation upsets thought continuity and interferes with social communications (e.g., withdraws into reveries to fulfill needs)

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D. Naive: Is easily persuaded, unsuspicious and gullible; reveals a Pollyanna attitude toward interpersonal difficulties, watering down objective problems and smoothing over troubling events (e.g., childlike thinking and reasoning)

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E. Scattered: Thoughts are momentary and scrambled in an untidy disarray with minimal focus to them, resulting in a chaotic hodgepodge of miscellaneous and haphazard beliefs expressed randomly with no logic or purpose (e.g., intense and transient emotions disorganize thoughts)

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F. Flighty: Avoids introspective thought and is overly attentive to trivial and fleeting external events; integrates experiences poorly, resulting in shallow learning and thoughtless judgments (e.g., faddish and responsive to superficialities)

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G. Expansive: Has an undisciplined imagination and exhibits a preoccupation with illusory fantasies of success, beauty or love; is minimally constrained by objective reality; takes liberties with facts and seeks to redeem boastful beliefs (e.g., indulges fantasies of repute/power)

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H. Mistrustful: Is suspicious of the motives of others, construing innocuous events as signifying conspiratorial intent; magnifies tangential or minor social difficulties into proofs of duplicity, malice and treachery (e.g., wary and distrustful)

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I. Deviant: Construes ordinary events and personal relationships in accord with socially unorthodox beliefs and morals; is disdainful of traditional ideals and conventional rules (e.g., shows contempt for social ethics and morals)

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J. Dogmatic: Is strongly opinionated, as well as unbending and obstinate in holding to one’s preconceptions; exhibits a broad social intolerance and prejudice (e.g., closed minded and bigoted)

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K. Fatalistic: Sees things in their blackest form and invariably expects the worst; gives the gloomiest interpretation of current events, believing that things will never improve (e.g., conceives life events in persistent pessimistic terms)

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L. Diffident: Is hesitant to voice one’s views; often expresses attitudes contrary to ones inner beliefs; experiences contrasting and conflicting thoughts toward self and others (e.g., demeans one’s own convictions and opinions)

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M. Cynical: Skeptical and untrusting, approaching current events with disbelief, and future possibilities with trepidation; has a misanthropic view of life, expressing disdain and caustic comments toward those who experience good fortune (e.g., envious or disdainful of those more fortunate)

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N. Vacillating: Experiences rapidly changing, fluctuating and antithetical perceptions or thoughts concerning passing events; contradictory reactions are evoked in others by virtue of ones behaviors, creating, in turn, conflicting and confusing social feedback (e.g., erratic and contrite over own beliefs and attitudes)

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O. Constricted: Constructs world in terms of rules, regulations, time schedules and social hierarchies; is unimaginative, indecisive and notably upset by unfamiliar or novel ideas and customs (e.g., preoccupied with lists, details, rules, etc.)

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A. Complacent: Reveals minimal introspection and awareness of self; seems impervious to the emotional and personal implications of one’s role in everyday social life (e.g., minimal interest in own personal life)

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B. Estranged: Possesses permeable ego-boundaries, exhibiting acute social perplexities and illusions as well as experiences of depersonalization, derealization and dissociation; sees self as “different”, with repetitive thoughts of life’s confusions and meaninglessness (e.g., self-perceptions are haphazard and fragmented)

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C. Alienated: Sees self as a socially isolated person, one rejected by others; devalues self-achievements and reports feelings of aloneness and undesirability (e.g., feels injured and unwanted by others)

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D. Inept: Views self as weak, fragile and inadequate; exhibits lack of self-confidence by belittling own aptitudes and competencies (e.g., sees self as childlike and/or fragile)

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E. Energetic: Sees self as full of vim and vigor, a dynamic force, invariably hardy and robust, a tireless and enterprising person whose ever-present energy galvanizes others (e.g., proud to be active and animated)

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F. Gregarious: Views self as socially stimulating and charming; enjoys the image of attracting acquaintances and pursuing a busy and pleasure-oriented social life (e.g., perceived as appealing and attractive, but shallow) 

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G. Admirable: Confidently exhibits self, acts in a self-assured manner and publicly displays achievements, despite being seen by others as egotistic, inconsiderate and arrogant (e.g., has a sense of high self-worth)

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H. Inviolable: Is highly insular, experiencing intense fears of losing identity, status or powers of self-determination; nevertheless, has persistent ideas of self-reference, asserting as personally derogatory and scurrilous entirely innocuous actions and events (e.g., sees ordinary life events as invariably referring to self)

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I. Autonomous: Values the sense of being free, unencumbered and unconfined by persons, places, obligations or routines; sees self as unfettered by the restrictions of social customs and the restraints of personal loyalties (e.g., values being independent of social responsibilities)

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J. Combative: Values aspects of self that present tough, domineering and power-oriented image; is proud to characterize self as unsympathetic and unsentimental (e.g., proud to be stern and feared by others)

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K. Worthless: Sees self as valueless, of no account, a person who should be overlooked, owing to having no praiseworthy traits or achievements (e.g., sees self as insignificant or inconsequential)

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L. Undeserving: Focuses on and amplifies the very worst features of self; judges self as worthy of being shamed, humbled and debased; has failed to live up to the expectations of others and, hence, should be reproached and demeaned (e.g., sees self as deserving to suffer)

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M. Discontented: Sees self as unjustly misunderstood and unappreciated; recognizes that he/she is characteristically resentful, disgruntled and disillusioned with life (e.g., sees self as unfairly treated)

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N. Uncertain: Experiences the marked confusions of a nebulous or wavering sense of identity and self-worth; seeks to redeem erratic actions and changing self-presentations with expressions of contrition and self-punitive behaviors (e.g., has persistent identity disturbances)

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O. Reliable: Sees self as industrious, meticulous and efficient; fearful of error or misjudgment and, hence, overvalues aspects of self that exhibit discipline, perfection, prudence and loyalty (e.g., sees self as reliable and conscientious)

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A. Apathetic: Is emotionally impassive, exhibiting an intrinsic unfeeling, cold and stark quality; reports weak affectionate or erotic needs, rarely displaying warm or intense feelings, and apparently unable also to experience either sadness or anger (e.g., unable to experience pleasure in depth)

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B. Distraught or Insentient: Reports being either apprehensive and ill-at-ease, particularly in social encounters; anxiously watchful, distrustful of others and wary of their motives; or manifests drab, sluggish, joyless, and spiritless appearance; reveals marked deficiencies in emotional expression and in face-to-face encounters (e.g., highly agitated and/or affectively flat)

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C. Anguished: Vacillates between desire for affection, fear of rebuff and numbness of feeling; describes constant and confusing undercurrents of tension, sadness and anger (e.g., unusually fearful of new social experiences)

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D. Pacific: Quietly and passively avoids social tension and interpersonal conflicts; is typically pleasant, warm, tender and noncompetitive (e.g., characteristically timid and uncompetitive)

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E. Mercurial: Volatile and quicksilverish, at times unduly ebullient, charged up and irrepressible; at other times, flighty and erratic emotionally, blowing hot and cold (e.g., has marked penchant for momentary excitements)

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F. Fickle: Displays short-lived and superficial emotions; is dramatically overreactive and exhibits tendencies to be easily enthused and as easily bored (e.g., impetuously pursues pleasure-oriented social life)

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G. Insouciant: Manifests a general air of nonchalance and indifference; appears coolly unimpressionable or calmly optimistic, except when self-centered confidence is shaken, at which time either rage, shame or emptiness is briefly displayed (e.g., generally appears imperturbable and composed)

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H. Irascible: Displays a sullen, churlish and humorless demeanor; attempts to appear unemotional and objective, but is edgy, touchy, surly, quick to react angrily (e.g., ready to take personal offense)

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I. Callous: Exhibits a coarse incivility, as well as a ruthless indifference to the welfare of others; is unempathic, as expressed in wide-ranging deficits in social charitableness, human compassion or personal remorse (e.g., experiences minimal guilt or contrition for socially repugnant actions)

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J. Hostile: Has an overtly rough and pugnacious temper which flares periodically into contentious argument and physical belligerence; is fractious, willing to do harm, even persecute others to get one’s way (e.g., easily embroiled in brawls)

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K. Woeful: Is typically mournful, tearful, joyless, and morose; characteristically worrisome and brooding; low spirits rarely remit (e.g., frequently feels dejected or guilty)

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L. Dysphoric: Intentionally displays a plaintive and gloomy appearance, occasionally to induce guilt and discomfort in others (e.g., drawn to relationships in which he/she will suffer)

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M. Irritable: Is often petulant, reporting being easily annoyed or frustrated by others; typically obstinate and resentful, followed in turn by sulky and grumpy withdrawal (e.g., impatient and easily provoked into oppositional behavior)

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N. Labile: Fails to accord unstable moods with external reality; has marked shifts from normality to depression to excitement, or has extended periods of dejection and apathy, interspersed with brief spells of anger, anxiety, or euphoria (e.g., mood changes erratically from sadness to bitterness to torpor)

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O. Solemn: Is unrelaxed, tense, joyless and grim; restrains overtly warm or covertly antagonistic feelings, keeping most emotions under tight control (e.g., affect is constricted and confined)

1 Normal

The presence of minor, but reasonably well-defined, personality traits. Currently present are a mix of manifest, but clinically insignificant features that fall in the range of normality.

2 Mild

A distinctive configuration of personality trait dysfunctions that is essentially subclinical in nature, i.e., although there are occasional adaptive difficulties, treatment on these grounds alone is not necessarily indicated.

3 Moderate

The personality trait dysfunctions are sufficiently problematic to justify a clinical diagnosis. Characteristics impair life functioning, resulting in periodic, but significant, adaptive difficulties. Outpatient treatment is indicated.

4 Marked

Personality domain dysfunctions are of a severe or persistent nature. They markedly or repeatedly impair psychosocial functioning. Treatment is definitely called for, probably on an outpatient basis, but possibly in an inpatient setting.

5 Extreme

Personality dysfunctions are intense or chronic, and are pervasive, often of an idiosyncratic or deeply emotional character, and are invariably debilitating. Inpatient/ residential treatment is called for.

5  Very Confident

Judgments based on considerable information and a secure understanding of the person’s domain features; these judgments may be assumed to be accurate.

3  Reasonably Confident

Judgments based on reasonably good information and an adequate understanding of the domain features rated above. More precise and/or accurate appraisals, however, may result as a function of additional information.

1  Marginally Confident

Judgments are modestly informed; an understanding of the person’s rated domain features may be only of limited accuracy at this time. Additional information is likely to increase the validity of the judgments.

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A. Intellectualization: Describes interpersonal and affective experiences in a matter of fact, abstract, impersonal or mechanical manner; pays primary attention to formal and objective aspects of social and emotional events. 

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B. Undoing: Bizarre mannerisms and idiosyncratic thoughts appear to reflect a retraction or reversal of previous acts or ideas that have stirred feelings of anxiety, conflict or guilt; ritualistic or “magical” behaviors serve to repent for or nullify assumed misdeeds or “evil” thoughts. 

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C. Fantasy: Depends excessively on imagination to achieve need gratification and conflict resolution; withdraws into reveries as a means of safely discharging affectionate, as well as aggressive impulses.

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D. Introjection: Is firmly devoted to another to strengthen the belief that an inseparable bond exists between them; jettisons any independent views in favor of those of another to preclude conflicts and threats to the relationship. 

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E. Magnification: Engages in hyperbole, overstating and overemphasizing ordinary matters so as to elevate their importance, especially features that enhance not only one’s own virtues but others who are valued. 

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F. Dissociation: Regularly alters self presentations to create a succession of socially attractive but changing facades; engages in self-distracting activities to avoid reflecting on and integrating unpleasant thoughts and emotions.   

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G. Rationalization: Is self-deceptive and facile in devising plausible reasons to justify self-centered and socially inconsiderate behaviors; offers alibis to place oneself in the best possible light, despite evident shortcomings or failures. 

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H. Projection: Actively disowns undesirable personal traits and motives, and attributes them to others; remains blind to one’s own unattractive behaviors and characteristics, yet is overalert to, and hypercritical of the defects of others.

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I. Acting Out: Inner tensions that might accrue by postponing the expression of offensive thoughts and malevolent actions are rarely constrained; socially repugnant impulses are not refashioned in sublimated forms, but are discharged directly in precipitous ways, usually without guilt.

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J. Isolation: Can be coldblooded and remarkably detached from an awareness of the impact of one’s destructive acts; views objects of violation impersonally, often as symbols of devalued groups devoid of human sensibilities.  

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K. Asceticism: Engages in acts of self-denial, self-tormenting, and self-punishment, believing that one should exhibit penance and not be rewarded with life’s bounties; not only is there a repudiation of pleasures but there are harsh self-judgments and minor self-destructive acts.

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L. Exaggeration: Repetitively recalls past injustices and seeks out future disappointments as a means of raising distress to troubled homeostatic levels; misconstrues, if not sabotages, personal good fortunes to enhance or maintain preferred suffering and pain.  

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M. Displacement: Discharges anger and other troublesome emotions either indirectly or by shifting them from their true objective to settings or persons of lesser peril; expresses resentments by substitute or passive means, such as acting inept or perplexed, or behaving in a forgetful or indolent manner. 

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N. Regression: Retreats under stress to developmentally earlier levels of anxiety tolerance, impulse control and social adaptation; is unable or disinclined to cope with responsible tasks and adult issues, as evident in immature, if not increasingly childlike behaviors.  

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O. Reaction Formation: Repeatedly presents positive thoughts and socially commendable behaviors that are diametrically opposite to ones deeper, contrary and forbidden feelings; displays reasonableness and maturity when faced with circumstances that normally evoke anger or dismay in most persons.

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A. Meager: Inner representations are few in number and minimally articulated, largely devoid of the manifold percepts and memories, nor the dynamic interplay among drives and conflicts that typify even well-adjusted persons.

B. Chaotic: Inner representations consist of a jumble of miscellaneous memories and percepts, random drives and impulses, and uncoordinated channels of regulation that are only fitfully competent for binding tensions, accommodating needs and mediating conflicts.

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C. Vexatious: Inner representations are composed of readily reactivated, intense and anxiety-ridden memories, limited avenues of gratification, and few mechanisms to channel needs, bind impulses, resolve conflicts or deflect external stressors.

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D. Immature: Inner representations are composed of unsophisticated ideas and incomplete memories, rudimentary drives and childlike impulses, as well as minimal competencies to manage and resolve stressors.

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E. Piecemeal: Inner representations are disorganized and dissipated, a jumble of diluted and muddled recollections that are recalled by fits and starts, serving only as momentary guideposts for dealing with everyday tensions and conflicts.

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F. Shallow: Inner representations are composed largely of superficial yet emotionally intense affects, memories and conflicts, as well as facile drives and insubstantial mechanisms. 

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G. Contrived: Inner representations are composed far more than usual of illusory ideas and memories, synthetic drives and conflicts, and pretentious, if not simulated, percepts and attitudes, all of which are readily refashioned as the need arises.

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H. Unalterable: Inner representations are arranged in an unusual configuration of rigidly held attitudes, unyielding percepts and implacable drives which are aligned in a semi-delusional hierarchy of tenacious memories, immutable cognitions and irrevocable beliefs.

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I. Debased: Inner representations comprise a mix of revengeful attitudes and impulses oriented to subvert established cultural ideals and mores, as well as to debase personal sentiments and conventional societal attainments.

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J. Pernicious: Inner representations are distinguished by the presence of aggressive energies and malicious attitudes, as well as by a contrasting paucity of sentimental memories, tender affects, internal conflicts, shame or guilt feelings.

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K. Forsaken: Inner representations have been depleted or devitalized, either drained of their richness and joyful elements or withdrawn from memory, leaving the person to feel abandoned, bereft, discarded.

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L. Discredited: Inner representations are composed of disparaged past memories and discredited achievements, of positive feelings and erotic drives transposed onto their least attractive opposites, of internal conflicts intentionally aggravated, of mechanisms of anxiety reduction subverted by processes that intensify discomforts.

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M. Fluctuating: Inner representations comprise a complex of opposing inclinations and incompatible memories that are driven by impulses designed to nullify one’s own achievements and/or the pleasures and expectations of others.

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N. Incompatible: Rudimentary and expediently devised, but repetitively aborted,  inner representations have led to perplexing memories, enigmatic attitudes, contradictory needs, antithetical emotions, erratic impulses, and opposing strategies for conflict reduction.

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O. Concealed: Only those inner affects, attitudes and actions which are socially approved are allowed conscious awareness or behavioral expression, resulting in gratification being highly regulated, forbidden impulses sequestered and tightly bound, personal and social conflicts defensively denied, kept from awareness, all maintained under stringent control. 

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A. Undifferentiated: Given an inner barrenness, a feeble drive to fulfill needs, and minimal pressures to defend against or resolve internal conflicts, nor to cope with external demands, internal structures may best be characterized by their limited coordination and deficient organization.

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B. Fragmented: Coping and defensive operations are haphazardly organized in a fragile assemblage, leading to spasmodic and desultory actions in which primitive thoughts and affects are directly discharged, with few reality-based sublimations, leading to significant further structural disintegrations.

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C. Fragile: Tortuous emotions depend almost exclusively on a single modality for their resolution and discharge, that of avoidance, escape and fantasy; hence, when faced with unanticipated stress, there are few resources available to deploy and few positions to revert to, short of a regressive decompensation.

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D. Inchoate: Owing to entrusting others with the responsibility to fulfill needs and to cope with adult tasks, there is both a deficit and a lack of diversity in internal structures and controls, leaving a miscellany of relatively undeveloped and immature adaptive abilities, as well as an elementary system for functioning independently. 

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E. Fleeting: Structures are highly transient, existing in momentary forms that are cluttered and disarranged, making effective coping efforts temporary, at best. Affect and action are unconstrained owing to the paucity of established controls and purposeful goals. 

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F. Disjointed: A loosely knit structural conglomerate exists in which processes of internal regulation and control are scattered and unintegrated, with few methods for restraining impulses, coordinating defenses, and resolving conflicts, leading to broad and sweeping mechanisms to maintain psychic cohesion and stability and, when employed, only further disarrange thoughts, feelings and actions.  

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G. Spurious: Coping and defensive strategies tend to be flimsy and transparent, appear more substantial and dynamically orchestrated than they are, regulating impulses only marginally, channeling needs with minimal restraint, and creating an egocentric inner world in which conflicts are dismissed, failures are quickly redeemed, and self-pride is effortlessly reasserted.

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H. Inelastic: A markedly constricted and inflexible pattern of coping and defensive methods exists, as well as rigidly fixed channels of conflict mediation and need gratification, creates an overstrung and taut frame that is so uncompromising in its accommodation to changing circumstances that unanticipated stressors are likely to precipitate either explosive outbursts or inner shatterings.

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I. Unruly: Inner defensive operations are noted by their paucity, as are efforts to curb irresponsible drives and attitudes, leading to easily transgressed social controls, low thresholds for impulse discharge, few subliminatory channels, unfettered self-expression and a marked intolerance of delay or frustration.

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J. Eruptive: Despite a generally cohesive structure of routinely modulating controls and expressive channels, surging, powerful and explosive energies of an aggressive and sexual nature produce precipitous outbursts that periodically overwhelm and overrun otherwise reasonable restraints. 

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K. Depleted: The scaffold for structures is markedly weakened, with coping methods enervated and defensive strategies impoverished and devoid of vigor and focus, resulting in a diminished if not exhausted capacity to initiate action and regulate affect.

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L. Inverted: Structures have a dual quality, one more-or-less conventional, the other its obverse—resulting in a repetitive undoing of affect and intention, of a transposing of channels of need gratification with those leading to their frustration, and of actions that produce antithetical, if not self-sabotaging consequences. 

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M. Divergent: There is a clear division in the pattern of internal elements such that coping and defensive maneuvers are often directed toward incompatible goals, leaving major conflicts unresolved and psychic cohesion impossible by virtue of the fact that fulfillment of one drive or need inevitably nullifies or reverses another. 

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N. Split: Inner cohesion comprise a sharply segmented and conflictful configuration in which there is a marked lack of consistency among elements; levels of consciousness occasionally blur and a rapid shift occurs across boundaries that separate unrelated memories and affects, resulting in schisms that upset what limited psychic order exists. 

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O. Compartmentalized: Psychic structures are rigidly organized in a tightly consolidated system that is clearly partitioned into numerous, distinct and segregated constellations of drive, memory and cognition, with few open channels to permit any interplay among these components. 

Normal to ABNORMAL
PERSONALITY SPECTRUM

1

2

3

Retiring—Schizoid

1

2

3

Eccentric—Schizotypal

1

2

3

Shy—Avoidant