are you wondering if you/someone you know has personality disorder traits?

[reallyME]

http://www.4degreez.com/misc/personality_disorder_test.mv

Disclaimer:  This test is not a substitute for professional medical and/or psychological diagnosis and evaluation.  I do not claim to be a medical expert.  I am merely a person who has studied abnormal psychology and personality disorders both in College and independently.  If in doubt or if you have concern, please consult an appropriate medical/psychological practitioner in person.

[reallyME]

 I will be brave and vulnerable here and tell you my evaluation results:

Moderate: Paranoid, Histrionic
High: Narcissistic

Am I worried? No.  I knew I had these traits and tendencies already.

I can admit openly that I tend to be paranoid.  This world is a frightening place sometimes, especially if you happen to catch the World News report.

I know I'm HIstrionic.  For those of you who didn't hear my story...my mom tells me that when I was 3, at a ballet recital...after the curtain closed and the little dancers went back behind it, there was little Laura Beth, standing out there, still bowing and commanding more applause.  I still enjoy attention once in a while, but it is a bit more in balance than when I was 3.

The Narcissist in me is that self-centered soul that seems to want to be in control if I'm not aware of it.  The good thing is, it is high but not Very High, which means i seem to be able to recognize and correct it when it tries to creep in again.  I have very high self-confidence, which, when in extremes can become self-centeredness.  Nothing to hide here.  There, it's in the open now. 

Anyone feel free to comment or share on this post.  We're all in this together in one way or another.

~Laura

[Hopalong]

Hi, RM, I wish sometimes there weren't so many tests and quizzes and labels and articles and categories and lists and definitions on the board. It's just me. I know they are helpful to people sometimes. But to me, they often seem like a batch of cupcakes when what is needed is a nutritious meal plan. (Gee, wonder why I'm picking that image, she said, trying to digest cookies and goldfish crackers...) Or, a Scrabble board when a few years' thoughts and many crone stories are needed. Or a map of one county when what we need is to imagine the world.

Maybe you are narcissistic. I think it won't bother you, because you post with honesty and with bravado about whatever your flaws are. In a sense, you might be "special" or grandiose in that way sometimes. Hi, I'm BOLD! Allow Me to Introduce The Personage That is Myself. I can see that about you, but I don't care.

I can list my own Nspots but if I got started I'd have no room left to tell my stories, ask for help, offer some love.

To me, you're your voice, telling your stories, sharing your life. You're not a PD on legs.

hugs,
Hops

[reallyME]

Hops, thanks for that!  No, I'm not Narcissistic PD on legs, I know.  I am bold and sometimes a bit brash and brassy, but you're right, I'm brutally honest about myself, my flaws, my talents...that's just me.  I like me.

~Laura

[tayana]

Hmm, I took the test just for amusement.  I think I've taken this one, or a similar one before.  One of the things that struck me was that many of the questions would have had a very different answer two and half months ago.  Many of these are the sorts of questions my p doc asked me, in fact.  Many of them are indicative of anxiety or depression rather than a personality disorder.  I think one of the most tell-tale things about folks who really have a personality disorder is that they aren't going to seek help unless they are either forced to, or some major event comes along that makes them see the light.  By seeking out the board, it's probably safe to say that most of us here aren't disordered.  It's not to say that we don't have traits of these disordered, because everyone does, it just means that because of the N's and abuse in our pasts we're more likely to examine our behavior and try to improve ourselves.

I'm with Hops.  I don't really like labels.  I just want to work on myself and make a good life, that's all.

[Ami]

Dear Laura,
  I think that as I come in to line with the Bible(IMO), the imbalances will balance out. I think that many of the exaggerated traits(imbalances) are simply fear(disguised). Even shame may have fear at it's root. We are afraid that we or others will see how BAD we are.
  I take the Bible as "medicine". When I came on the board,I "took" the Scripture,"Perfect Love Casts out Fear",as medicine. I "told" God that He promised that it would work and I was trusting Him. Now, a year and a half later,it HAS worked. I SAW my M. More wonderfully,I forgave her. Really , it did not take much time at all.
 Now, I am suffering (badly) with fear. I always have since the time I was little. I started having phobias as young as I can remember.
 Fears get worse with time. . Now, I am fear ridden--bleh.
 Today,I start on my journey with the Scripture,"Perfect Love Casts out Fear. I expect that I will get to the end of the road with fear ,as I did with truth.
 Then,IMO, I will be  balanced. That is my plan, Laura                 Love  Ami

[Ami]

I  guess that the ONLY problem with traits is IF they become unbalanced. Everything in life needs to have balance and I guess that our emotions are no exception. Look at  homeostasis in the body. A little  of one chemical needs a little of another to balance it out.A little N("selfishness") is good. Too much N is abnormal.A little drama is good (vibrant). Too much drama is bad.(out of control). 
  I see my imbalances as not "stuck" but as able to move toward healing  when I address shame, fear and false ideas( N mother ideas).                       Ami

[tayana]

Here's a different test created by NYU's psychiatry dept.

http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/personality.html