Psychodynamic research sheds light on the roots of personality disorders

How can we explain the erratic, reckless, or even aggressive behavior of certain people in the public spotlight? An international research team consisting of members from Freie Universität Berlin, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, and University Psychiatric Clinics Basel has investigated the specific psychodynamic mechanisms constituting the distinguishing features of personality disorders. Its findings could help to explain the factors underlying erratic, narcissistic, or even aggressive behavior. The results were recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry and are available at: doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2025.10347.

The research team demonstrated that particular difficulties, such as problems establishing closeness and mutually satisfying relationships, a fragile or unstable self-image, struggles in understanding the experiences and motives of others, and primitive defense mechanisms (for example, attacking others when experiencing negative emotions or blaming uninvolved parties, a mechanism called projection), are central features of personality disorders. These psychological mechanisms may offer short-term protection from distressing emotions, but significantly impair relationships and social life in the long run. Such patterns are often rooted in adverse childhood experiences.

The study is based on in-depth interviews and clinical diagnoses of over 500 people in Germany and Switzerland. It not only provides new scientific insights into the development and nature of personality disorders, but could also inform potential approaches in therapy and prevention. Psychodynamic concepts, such as working with defense mechanisms or addressing closeness in relationships, could be integrated into treatments in a more targeted way in the future.

"A better understanding of these mechanisms is urgently needed, especially in a time when political and societal crises are so often characterized by escalating conflicts, splitting, projection, a fear of vulnerability and intimacy, and a lack of empathy," says Dr. André Kerber, clinical psychologist in the Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention at Freie Universität Berlin.