Understanding Your Personality Results

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Understanding your score on each PID-5 facet is not straightforward; if you are still concerned with one of your results after reading the descriptions below, don’t hesitate to contact a health professional in your local area.

Below you will find the “clinical description written in italics” of each of the 25 personality facets that make up the PID-5 as provided by the Definitions of DSM-5 personality disorder trait domains and facets – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®), Fifth Edition, | Jesse H. Wright, Gregory K. Brown, Michael E. Thase and Monica Ramirez Basco.

Used with permission. Copyright ©2013 American Psychiatric Association. All Rights Reserved.

Facet scores can range from zero to three.

For comparison, we have provided a high score from a reference population at the end of each description to assist your understanding.

A score above the comparison score suggests your personality is more robust than about 70% of the population in the described facet.

Anhedonia

Lack of enjoyment from, engagement in, or energy for life's experiences; deficits in the capacity to feel pleasure and take an interest in things.

Everyone understands pleasure; certain things in life just make us happy. For example, you might like to ride your bike, listen to the ocean, or hold someone's hand. However, sometimes people lose the ability to feel joy from these things. That's what anhedonia is like. It's a typical symptom of low mood and other mental health concerns.

A score above 1.35 on the anhedonia facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Anhedonia
Anxiousness

Anxiousness

Feelings of nervousness, tenseness, or panic in reaction to diverse situations; frequent worry about the negative effects of past unpleasant experiences and future negative possibilities; feeling fearful and apprehensive about uncertainty; expecting the worst to happen.

State anxiety can be expected in stressful situations such as public speaking or taking a test. However, facet anxiousness is a tendency to present state anxiety repeatedly. Therefore, trait anxiety is relatively stable over time and is considered a characteristic of individuals with anxiety concerns. Anxiety is not necessarily bad; we get nervous around cliff edges to keep ourselves alert and safe. However, if that feeling never goes away, there can be serious long term health effects. High trait anxiety is undoubtedly a good reason to connect with a health professional.

A score above 1.70 on the anxiousness facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Attention Seeking

Engaging in behaviour designed to attract notice and to make oneself the focus of others' attention and admiration.

Attention-seeking behaviour can include saying or doing something to get people's attention. Taking credit for achievements, looking for validation, and provoking a reaction by being controversial are examples of this type of behaviour. Often a high score on this facet relates directly to another high scoring facet. For instance, attention-seeking goes well with perfectionism; it feels good when people see your excellent work.

A score above 1.51 on the attention-seeking facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Attention Seeking
Callousness

Callousness

Lack of concern for the feelings or problems of others; lack of guilt or remorse about the harmful effects of one's actions on others.

Callous behaviour can include putting yourself first without appropriate consideration for others and not caring enough about behaviour that can damage relationships or offend others. Often high callousness is evident in people with low submissiveness.

A score above 0.57 on the callousness facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Deceitfulness

Dishonesty and fraudulence; misrepresentation of self; embellishment or fabrication when relating events.

Dishonest behaviour can take many forms; a good example would be bending the rules for what you perceive as a just reason; cutting corners would be another.

A score above 1.02 on the deceitfulness facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Deceitfulness
Depressivity

Depressivity

Feelings of being down, miserable, and/or hopeless; difficulty recovering from such moods; pessimism about the future; pervasive shame and/or guilt; feelings of inferior self-worth; thoughts of suicide and suicidal behaviour.

Depressivity is not the same as depression which is a state measure. A high score in state depression suggests that there may be aspects of your life you feel you cannot change. Pessimism perhaps best sums up this facet, and as mentioned earlier, it feeds anhedonia. Many people who experience depression can remain misunderstood by those around them. High trait depressivity is undoubtedly a good reason to connect with a health professional.

A score above 1 on the depressivity facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Distractibility

Difficulty concentrating and focusing on tasks; attention is easily diverted by extraneous stimuli; difficulty maintaining goal-focused behaviour, including both planning and completing tasks.

Frequently, distractions occur due to a brief attention span, suggesting an inability to concentrate and sustain the level of focused attention necessary to accomplish information processing or complex tasks. Distractibility can occur in individuals who are tired or sleep-deprived. However, it is also a symptom of certain medical conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

A score above 1.40 on the distractability facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Distractibility

Eccentricity

Odd, unusual, or bizarre behaviour, appearance, and/or speech; having strange and unpredictable thoughts; saying unusual or inappropriate things.

Eccentric behaviour is often considered whimsical or quirky, although it can also be strange and disturbing. For example, people may have an eccentric taste in clothes, eccentric hobbies, or collections they pursue with great vigour.

A score above 1.24 on the eccentricity facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Eccentricity
Emotional Liability

Emotional lability

Instability of emotional experiences and mood; emotions that are easily aroused, intense, and/or out of proportion to events and circumstances.

The term "emotional lability" refers to rapid mood changes that are often exaggerated when strong emotions (uncontrollable laughter or crying or heightened irritability or temper) are experienced. Occasionally, these powerful emotions are expressed in a way that can be overwhelming.

A score above 1.66 on the emotional lability facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Grandiosity

Believing that one is superior to others and deserves special treatment; self-centeredness; feelings of entitlement; condescension toward others.

Grandiosity is described as a sense of exaggerated importance, power, knowledge, or identity, even if there is little evidence to back up the beliefs. Grandiosity may take the form of exaggerating your accomplishments, criticizing and dismissing others' accomplishments or abilities, or constantly bragging and discussing yourself. We can all be a little grandiose at times.

A score above 1.04 on the grandiosity facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Grandiosity
Hostility

Hostility

Persistent or frequent angry feelings; anger or irritability in response to minor slights and insults; mean, nasty, or vengeful behaviour.

Hostile individuals may be aggressive and unfriendly or just over competitive. If you are competitive, you might become increasingly aggressive and hostile in your interactions with others. However, situations and conditions that are hostile might make your endeavours more difficult.

A score above 1.31 on the hostility facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Impulsivity

Acting on the spur of the moment in response to immediate stimuli; acting on a momentary basis without a plan or consideration of outcomes; difficulty establishing and following plans; a sense of urgency and self-harming behaviour under emotional distress.

Impulsivity is the tendency to act without thinking, such as if blurting out something, buying something you did not plan on, or running across the street without looking. Every once in a while, a person says or does something they regret. However, some people are impulsive frequently, even multiple times throughout the day, causing problems and regrets.

A score above 1.28 on the impulsivity facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Impulsivity
Intimacy Avoidance

Intimacy Avoidance

Avoidance of close or romantic relationships, interpersonal attachments, and intimate sexual relationships.

Often referred to as intimacy avoidance or avoidance anxiety, the fear of intimacy is characterized by anxiety about sharing a close emotional or physical relationship. Those with a fear of intimacy may sabotage their relationships by acting in a manner that pushes their partner away. People with intimacy avoidance often have a history of short-term relationships. This facet may best represent the statement "get out of your own way". As often, people with high intimacy avoidance still want relationships and may actively seek them out.

A score above .84 on the intimacy avoidance facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Irresponsibility

Disregard for—and failure to honor—financial and other obligations or commitments; lack of respect for—and lack of follow-through on—agreements and promises; carelessness with others' property.

When you act irresponsibly, you may have little regard for the consequences of your actions. An irresponsible person is someone who constantly forgets to complete tasks; they do not believe they are liable to be called to account by a higher authority.

A score above .86 on the intimacy avoidance facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Irresponsibility

Manipulativeness

Use of subterfuge to influence or control others; use of seduction, charm, glibness, or ingratiation to achieve one's ends.

Manipulation may occur in a casual or close relationship, but close relationships are more likely the target. Manipulation is an intentional process of swaying an individual's emotions to cause them to act or feel in a certain way. Almost everyone manipulates others; parents want the best for their children and guide them to a bright future. However, manipulation often results in short term gain and long term loss, especially within the context of romantic relationships.

A score above 1.48 on the Manipulativeness facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Manipulativeness
Perceptual Dysregulation

Perceptual Dysregulation

Odd or unusual thought processes and experiences, including depersonalization, derealization, and dissociative experiences; mixed sleep-wake state experiences; thought-control experiences.

The perception process is the way our brain interprets sensory input from the environment. Sensory inputs are always conveyed with some level of inaccuracy or uncertainty. Strong elements of your personality may create biases that can dysregulate this sensory input. A mild example would be seeing faces or shapes in passing clouds. However, more extreme biases may lead to disturbances such as hearing voices.

A score above .78 on the Cognitive and Perceptual Dysregulation facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Perservation

Persistence at tasks or in a particular way of doing things long after the behaviour has ceased to be functional or effective; continuance of the same behaviour despite repeated failures or clear reasons for stopping.

People who perseverate get stuck on their emotions, actions, and thoughts, often saying the same thing or acting the same way past the point where it makes sense.

It can be frustrating for everyone, and especially for the stuck person. They do not know how to stop and may not realize they are persevering. In addition, they may be unable to control certain behaviours or thoughts.

A score above 1.16 on the Perseveration facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Perservation
Restricted Affectivity

Restricted Affectivity

Little reaction to emotionally arousing situations; constricted emotional experience and expression; indifference and aloofness in normatively engaging situations.

People high in restricted affectivity may be described as cold or unfeeling. Affect refers to the outward expression of emotion; it can appear as if you do not care when restricted. Ironically, people with restricted affect often do care; they have just constructed a personality trait that tries to avoid emotional pain.

A score above 1.32 on the Restricted Affectivity facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Rigid Perfectionism

Rigid insistence on everything being flawless, perfect, and without errors or faults, including one's own and others' performance; sacrificing of timeliness to ensure correctness in every detail; believing that there is only one right way to do things; difficulty changing ideas or viewpoint; preoccupation with details, organization, and order.

High standards can be a strength, inspiring people to do great things. The problem is not the standards themselves but the fact that they are rigid and inflexible. When you are feeling upbeat, it is good to have goals. However, setting high standards all the time can be exhausting.

A score above 1.55 on the Ridgid Perfectionism facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Rigid Perfectionism
Risk Taking

Risk Taking

Engagement in dangerous, risky, and potentially self-damaging activities, unnecessarily and without regard to consequences; lack of concern for one's limitations and denial of the reality of personal danger; reckless pursuit of goals regardless of the level of risk involved.

Risk-taking can include behaviours such as substance abuse, racing, unprotected sex, and texting while driving, to mention a few. However, it also has a positive side; It takes courage to take a risk to get to where you want to go. But, regardless of the outcome, we often grow through the risk-taking process and become stronger and more confident, improving the chances of achieving future goals.

A score above 1.62 on the Risk Taking facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Separation Insecurity

Fears of being alone due to rejection by—and/or separation from—significant others, based in a lack of confidence in one's ability to care for oneself, both physically and emotionally.

Insecurity in your relationship can be painful and upsetting. There are many ways it can show up. It might feel like your partner is breaking up with you all the time. You might have trouble trusting them not to cheat on you. It might feel like your connection has been getting weaker and weaker for a while, and the foundations are crumbling. Self-esteem and confidence can be undermined, so it can be hard to solve any problems.

A score above 1.34 on the Separation Insecurity facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Separation Insecurity
Submissiveness

Submissiveness

Adaptation of one’s behavior to the actual or perceived interests and desires of others even when doing so is antithetical (directly opposed) to one’s own interests, needs, or desires.

People with a submissive personality are willing to submit to the authority of others or to the authority of their other strong personality traits. In addition, they often have difficulty setting healthy boundaries; they find it difficult to refuse. It may take place at home, at work, among friends, or in the community. Understanding what we are submissive to and why can help us better understand our submissive behaviours.

A score above 1.76 on the Submissiveness facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Suspiciousness

Expectations of—and sensitivity to—signs of interpersonal ill-intent or harm; doubts about loyalty and fidelity of others; feelings of being mistreated, used, and/or persecuted by others.

Suspicion is defined as a sense of mistrust in which a person doubts the honesty of another individual or believes another individual is guilty of some type of wrongdoing or crime but without evidence. In addition, suspicion may be aroused by objects that are not per expectations. Finally, suspiciousness in relationships can lead to the painful emotional experience of jealousy.

A score above 1.18 on the Suspiciousness facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Suspiciousness
Unusual Beliefs

Unusual Beliefs

Belief that one has unusual abilities, such as mind reading, telekinesis, thought-action fusion; unusual experiences of reality, including hallucination-like experiences.

Everybody has beliefs that aren't actually proven - like God, telepathy, or ghosts. They aren't considered a problem if they're common and don't cause harm or distress. Some people, however, hold strongly held beliefs that others don't share, causing them great distress. These beliefs can be pretty scary. You may think people are spying on you, following you, or trying to harm you. You may think that the TV is talking about you or that your home has cameras, or that your food has been poisoned. A high score in the facet of Unusual beliefs score is undoubtedly an excellent reason to connect with a health professional.

A score above .75 on the Unusual Beliefs facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Withdrawal

Preference for being alone to being with others; reticence in social situations; avoidance of social contacts and activity; lack of initiation of social contact.

Withholding your emotions is a sign of emotional withdrawal. We tend to cut out the people who can help us because we're so used to rejection that we anticipate it. As a result of disconnecting from others, we may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. Often, emotional detachment is caused by trauma, abuse, or a previous encounter.

A score above 1.12 on the Withdrawal facet may be considered relatively high compared to the normative data.

Withdrawal