A Matter of Personality

Gender

The Evolution of Gender Roles

David M. Allen M.D. on June 26, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The family roles of men and women is still a big issue.

A Personal Perspective: The family roles of men and women is still a big issue.

Depression

The Conflation of Chronic Sadness With Major Depression

David M. Allen M.D. on May 30, 2023

It is in the interest of drug companies to falsely expand the definition of psychiatric disorders so they can sell more drugs, and they have devised many ways to trick doctors.

It is in the interest of drug companies to falsely expand the definition of psychiatric disorders so they can sell more drugs, and they have devised many ways to trick doctors.

Child Development

Adverse Child Experiences, Brain Changes, and Diseases

David M. Allen M.D. on May 6, 2023

New research shows that childhood trauma is associated with brain development and physical and mental health problems in adulthood.

New research shows that childhood trauma is associated with brain development and physical and mental health problems in adulthood.

Anxiety

Which Came First, Family Dysfunction or Borderline Behavior?

David M. Allen M.D. on March 29, 2023

Most studies of the relationship between parents and their children who develop borderline personality do not address the question of what created problems originally.

Most studies of the relationship between parents and their children who develop borderline personality do not address the question of what created problems originally.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Physical and Mental Health

David M. Allen M.D. on March 2, 2023

The evidence is overwhelming that adverse childhood experiences and trauma have long-lasting negative effects on both the human brain and the body.

The evidence is overwhelming that adverse childhood experiences and trauma have long-lasting negative effects on both the human brain and the body.

Conformity

Who Influences Teens More: Peers or Family?

David M. Allen M.D. on February 7, 2023

"Self-actualization" or making one's own choices in life—including with which peers to associate—is strongly influenced by parental validation or invalidation.

"Self-actualization" or making one's own choices in life—including with which peers to associate—is strongly influenced by parental validation or invalidation.

Family Dynamics

Borderline Family Dynamics in Marsha Linehan's Memoir

David M. Allen M.D. on January 12, 2023

Even though dialectical behavior therapy cites an invalidating environment as a major cause of BPD, it emphasizes stress tolerance over changes in family relationships.

Even though dialectical behavior therapy cites an invalidating environment as a major cause of BPD, it emphasizes stress tolerance over changes in family relationships.

Genetics

Problematic Parenting or Problematic Genes?

David M. Allen M.D. on December 20, 2022

The authors of twin studies in psychology often neglect highly significant behavior patterns determined by family rules.

The authors of twin studies in psychology often neglect highly significant behavior patterns determined by family rules.

Child Development

Childhood Trauma in Borderline Personality Disorder

David M. Allen M.D. on November 22, 2022

Many experts treat borderline personality as if it were purely a biogenetic brain disease rather than a result of adverse childhood experiences. Is it?

Many experts treat borderline personality as if it were purely a biogenetic brain disease rather than a result of adverse childhood experiences. Is it?

Psychology

Subjects in Psychology Research May Not Be Honest

David M. Allen M.D. on October 26, 2022

Big data from the internet, such as Google searches, can reveal behavior patterns often lied about by patients in psychiatric research studies.

Big data from the internet, such as Google searches, can reveal behavior patterns often lied about by patients in psychiatric research studies.

Self-Help

Contact With Toxic Parents: Ambivalence Reigns

David M. Allen M.D. on October 3, 2022

Ambivalence about cutting off a parent who has continued to mistreat you does not go away on its own.

Ambivalence about cutting off a parent who has continued to mistreat you does not go away on its own.

Anxiety

The Effect on Children When a Mother Is Depressed or Anxious

David M. Allen M.D. on September 7, 2022

Are chronic and repetitive emotional reactions all due to things just going on within someone's brain? Two new studies say no.

Are chronic and repetitive emotional reactions all due to things just going on within someone's brain? Two new studies say no.

Body Language

When Therapists Should Disregard Body Language

David M. Allen M.D. on August 12, 2022

Personal Perspective: When it comes to playing a role to seemingly stabilize an out-of-control family, people can put on an act.

Personal Perspective: When it comes to playing a role to seemingly stabilize an out-of-control family, people can put on an act.

Guilt

Family Martyrs Who Appear Selfish

David M. Allen M.D. on July 19, 2022

Parents who constantly feel guilty because of problems they had when their kids were growing up may induce them to pile on even more guilt.

Parents who constantly feel guilty because of problems they had when their kids were growing up may induce them to pile on even more guilt.

Personality

Borderline Personality: Are They Bad at Reading Others?

David M. Allen M.D. on June 24, 2022

"Mentalization"-based psychotherapy is a recently touted treatment for borderline personality disorder, but it confuses performance with ability.

"Mentalization"-based psychotherapy is a recently touted treatment for borderline personality disorder, but it confuses performance with ability.

Adolescence

Troubled Teen Schools: Therapy or Child Abuse?

David M. Allen M.D. on May 31, 2022

A whole industry of residential school programs for troubled teens is modeled after a drug treatment program that became a cult.

A whole industry of residential school programs for troubled teens is modeled after a drug treatment program that became a cult.

Personality

The Use of Psychiatric Meds in Borderline Personality Disorder

David M. Allen M.D. on May 5, 2022

While not effective for the personality disorder itself, certain psychiatric medications may help decrease panic attacks and self-injurious behavior.

While not effective for the personality disorder itself, certain psychiatric medications may help decrease panic attacks and self-injurious behavior.

Groupthink

Do Psychotherapy Models Underestimate Groupthink?

David M. Allen M.D. on April 11, 2022

A Personal Perspective: People have a powerful instinct to "go along with the program" of their kin group, and ignore their own personal ideas and interests.

A Personal Perspective: People have a powerful instinct to "go along with the program" of their kin group, and ignore their own personal ideas and interests.

ADHD

Parenting Styles and ADHD Symptoms

David M. Allen M.D. on March 17, 2022

Researchers assume ADHD is a brain disease, although attention problems often result from environmental problems such as a chaotic home environment and or sleep deprivation.

Researchers assume ADHD is a brain disease, although attention problems often result from environmental problems such as a chaotic home environment and or sleep deprivation.

Relationships

When You Can’t Be Content with Being Contented

David M. Allen M.D. on February 22, 2022

Letters to advice columnists about couple dysfunction may word things in such a way as to elicit a certain response, and they know it.

Letters to advice columnists about couple dysfunction may word things in such a way as to elicit a certain response, and they know it.