Category Archives: Personality Traits

“I can’t wait to go on a vacation!”

Posted on Monday, May 6, 2013 by Alison

Research shows that most of the pleasure derived from traveling is experienced in the planning and anticipation of the trip.* Planning a vacation involves imagining what you will feel like on the trip—whether relaxed and romantic, adventuresome and athletic, or … Continue reading →

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Guest Author SAM VAKNIN, PhD:
“I Hate to Fail, but I also Dread Success. What Gives?”

Posted on Monday, April 29, 2013 by Alison

GUEST AUTHOR Sam Vaknin, PhD writes: Some people rarely fail, but they are no roaring successes, either. They linger in a limbo, somewhere between minimal attainment and mediocrity. They pass, but never quite make it. They seem to fear and … Continue reading →

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Overfunctioning and underfunctioning:
“If I don’t take care of things, nothing will ever get done.”

Posted on Monday, March 4, 2013 by Alison

Emotional system Every family is an emotional system, where the functioning, behavior and beliefs of each person influence those of the others. Overfunctioning is different from simply doing kind things for another person or having distinct but equal roles and … Continue reading →

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Guest Author SAM VAKNIN, PhD:
People-pleasers and Pathological Charmers

Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2013 by Alison

GUEST AUTHOR Sam Vaknin, PhD writes: People-pleasers dread conflicts and wish to avoid them (they are conflict-averse) – hence their need to believe that they are universally liked. Always pleasant, well-mannered, and civil, the conflict-averse people-pleaser is also evasive and … Continue reading →

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Feeling Shame:
“I’m not worthy to be loved.”

Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 by Alison

People who feel ongoing shame feel uncomfortable and self-consciousness because of their deeply-held feelings of inadequacy, which do not reflect objective reality. Often they lacked an adult role-model in their early lives who demonstrated both love and reasonable, constructive criticism. … Continue reading →

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Emotionally Volatile People:
“He can be so charming and then so defiant.”

Posted on Friday, January 25, 2013 by Alison

People who swing from one extreme to the other, from being pleasant and charming one moment to being angry and defiant the next often lack emotional resilience and autonomy. They tend to fuse emotionally to others, behaving wonderfully when they … Continue reading →

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Codependence by GUEST AUTHOR SAM VAKNIN, PhD:
Issues and Goals in the Treatment of Dependent Personality Disorder

Posted on Monday, December 31, 2012 by Alison

Guest Author SAM VAKNIN, PhD: You have been diagnosed with Dependent Personality Disorder (Codependence, or Codependency) and you have decided to attend therapy. Here is a brief guide to the personal issues that you should tackle and the goals that … Continue reading →

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GUEST AUTHOR J.C. writes about Alcoholism in the Family
“I’m stressed out because she won’t quit drinking.”

Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 by Alison

Guest Author J.C., Founder of “Alcoholics Friend” website, submits this article: Four Solutions To One Huge Problem – Alcoholism in the Family If you are looking for a way to get an alcoholic in the family to stop drinking, I … Continue reading →

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