Theodore Millon: biography and theoretical legacy of this psychologist

This researcher devoted much of his life to the study of personality disorders.

Theodore Millon's theory of personality disorders has been one of the most influential models in this field of psychology.

In this article we will we will review Theodore Millon's biography and work and describe the 12 types of personality disorder. and we will describe the 12 types of personality disorder that exist according to this author, whose influence on diagnostic manuals has been extremely important.

Biography of Theodore Millon

Theodore Millon is an American psychologist whose work has played an extremely significant role in the development of the psychological conception of disorders. psychological conception of personality disorders.. In particular, Millon was a highly valued member of the American Psychological Association and his theory has been a key influence on the DSM manuals.

Millon was born in 1928 in Manhattan, the most important borough of New York City. His parents were Jewish emigrants who were born in Lithuania and Poland, respectively. After studying psychology, philosophy and physics at various universities in the United States and Europe, Millon received his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1950.

During his lifetime Millon published more than 30 books of his own, contributed to a large number of articles and book chapters, and founded the Journal of Personality Disorders. He was also named professor emeritus at Harvard and Miami Universities. He died in January 29, 2014 in his sleep from congestive heart failure.

One of Millon's main contributions is his Clinical Multiaxial Multiaxial Inventories (MCMI), designed for the assessment of psychopathological personality. (MCMI), designed for the assessment of psychopathological personality. The test model developed by this author has been applied to both normal and clinical populations, with a special emphasis on the latter, as well as to groups of people of different ages.

Theory and personality disorders according to Millon

For Theodore Millon, personality disorders should not be understood as mental illnesses. should not be understood as mental illnesses but as styles of behavior, cognition and emotion that involve inflexibility (which limits the acquisition of new behaviors) and difficulties in handling stressful situations, as well as promoting "vicious circles" of functioning.

Millon's theory of personality disorders describes 14 maladaptive patterns which are differentiated primarily on the basis of the severity of the disturbances and the type and source of reinforcement guiding the behavior. Each of the disorders would develop because of specific combinations of Biological and environmental factors.

1. Paranoid

Millon considers that paranoid disorder is one of the most severe disorders, along with borderline and schizotypal.. This is because he attributes structural deficits to them, that is, he defines as the main characteristic of severe personality disorders the lack of coherent, cohesive, solid and functionally effective organization of personality traits.

Paranoid disorder is characterized by distrust, suspicion and hostility towards others and by the appearance of angry reactions to situations in which contempt or humiliation is perceived. Millon defines three variants: paranoid-narcissistic, paranoid-antisocial and paranoid-compulsive.

2. Schizotypal

The schizotypal personality is defined by social isolation, emotional deficits, self-centered cognitive style and extravagant behaviors. According to Millon it is associated with lack of early stimulation, as well as possible biological dysfunctions in brain structures. biological dysfunctions in brain structures, such as the limbic such as the limbic system and the ascending reticular activating system.

3. Borderline

Borderline personality disorder involves a marked conflict between needs for dependence and needs for independence. There are observed altered sense of identity, erratic behavior, emotional instability, and marked impulsivity are observed and marked impulsivity, which favors behaviors such as substance abuse and self-injury.

4. Passive-aggressive or negativistic personality

The passive-aggressive personality is one of the most specific of Millon's proposal, and is not included in most diagnostic manuals. In this case, oppositional tendencies predominate, often interfering with other people's activities, complaints, pessimism, moodiness and lack of complacency towards others..

5. Obsessive-compulsive

The obsessive-compulsive personality, or simply compulsive, is characterized by the rigid and excessive adherence to the excessive and rigid adherence to rules, as well as a fear of making mistakes, even though they may seem insignificant to others. even though they may seem insignificant to others. This lack of flexibility very often leads to difficulties in making decisions and lack of efficiency in performing tasks.

6. Avoidant

In people with avoidant personality disorder, feelings of loneliness and fear of interpersonal rejection co-occur, often related to deficits in self-esteem; this hypersensitivity to the possibility of ridicule and therefore a tendency to isolation. and thus a tendency to isolation.

7. Schizoid

Like avoidant personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder would be associated primarily with interpersonal disengagement. However, in this case the reluctance to establish relationships is due to the emotional coldness, the lack of interest for other people, and the lack of interest in the personality.The schizoid personality disorder is also associated with a lack of interest in other people and a predominance of fantasy and solitary activities.

8. Histrionic

In the histrionic disorder there are presented dramatic, immature, manipulative and seductive interpersonal behaviors, which leads to dysfunctional relationships.which leads to dysfunctional relationships. Lack of stability in emotions is also common.

9. Dependent

Dependent personalities are characterized by feelings of inferiority and lack of self-confidence, the need for help and affirmation from others, and the transfer of one's responsibilities to others. and the transfer of one's own responsibilities to others. These people often feel helpless and insecure if they are alone.

10. Narcissistic

The narcissistic personality disorder has as a fundamental characteristic the overestimation of one's own personal value.. Narcissistic people expect the people with whom they interact to confirm their expectations of admiration and special treatment, and are much more interested in themselves than in others.

11. Antisocial

According to Millon, and far from the typical definitions that associate this disorder with criminal behaviors as a key aspect, antisocial personalities are characterized by ambition, persistence and goal-directed behavior. There is also distrust in the ability of others and the need to control the environment..

12. Sadistic or aggressive

Sadistic personalities obtain reinforcement through the provocation of suffering or discomfort (including manipulation (including manipulation, cruelty, aggression and fear) to others or to oneself. Along with negativistic, masochistic and depressive disorder, it is one of the most representative of Millon's contributions.

13. Masochistic

For Millon, the concept of masochism refers to a pattern of self-defeating behavior that leads to involvement with unpromising people and activities, excessive self-sacrifice, failure at attainable tasks, and the and the rejection of opportunities to obtain reinforcement or to react positively to or to react positively to them.

14. Depressive

In this type of personalities predominate depressive symptoms such as sadness, low self-esteem, pessimism, or tendency to worry and feelings of guilt. or the tendency to worry and feelings of guilt. There are conceptual problems in relation to this disorder because of its similarity to dysthymia, chronic depression and avoidant personality disorder.