From eccentric and introverted to boisterous and bold, the human personality is a complex and colorful thing. Personality refers to a person's distinctive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It derives from a mix of innate dispositions and inclinations along with environmental factors and experiences. Although personality can change over a lifetime, one's core personality traits tend to r
What Is Personality? (Plain Language Explanation)
Personality refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Personality
- Symptoms: The specific ways personality shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen personality
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When personality occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Personality
- Personality is far more common than most people realize
- Personality is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with personality see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about personality is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing personality, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.