Hello, my readers, you may want to read the previous blog found here. This blog will expand on some of the ideas laid out in that blog. However, what you need to know is that my Schreyer’s thesis will explore the creation of a new personality index. Furthermore, the creation of this personality index will be informed by my understanding of the Imagined and Actual from this blog.
First and foremost, we must establish what the test is going to measure. Additionally, any questions on the test must be purposefully chosen and satisfy some desired measurement. It should also be noted that this personality test will differ significantly from other clinical screenings.
From my understanding, most clinical screenings for depression, anxiety, etc. are misguided. Most clinical screenings only assess whether the symptoms of a mental illness are present. While this can be useful diagnostically, I think that this type of screening reinforces a bad trend in psychiatry. It reinforces the idea that the only thing that matters is solving the symptoms of depression, anxiety, etc. This methodology prevents us from analyzing the underlying personality or psychological mechanism that is causing the mental illness.
This idea also contributes to a trend in psychiatry where psychiatrists believe that solving the mental illness will fix the underlying cause of the mental illness. In reality, the research suggests that mental illness may recur if the underlying cause of mental illness is not addressed.
![](https://sites.psu.edu/progresspolitics/files/2021/04/psyche.jpg)
This brings us back to the development of a new personality test. Unlike most other screenings, this test will not simply test for indications of mental illness. Instead, this test will assess one’s personality structures.
The most familiar personality structure is one created by Sigmund Freud. He suggested that behaviors are derived from the interactions between the Id, Ego, and Superego. Reductively, the Id is completely irrational and strives for immediate gratification. The Superego is semi-conscious and is moralistic. The Ego mediates conflict between the Id and Superego.
![](https://sites.psu.edu/progresspolitics/files/2021/04/download.png)
While this personality structure has descriptive utility, I think it fails to grasp the complexity of human thought and behavior.
Since I believe the Imagined and Actual are legitimate and valid ways of understanding the way we interact with the world, I will be creating several categories to assess and quantify an individual’s Imagined and Actual. These categories will be covered in future blogs and include categories such as “consolidation/fluidity of identity”, “Formulation Avoidance”, and more.
I have also attached a few screenings meant to test for depression and anxiety. It is evident from the forms of these tests that the main goal is to treat the obvious symptoms of depression and anxiety, and not resolving any underlying issues:
https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/screenings/screening-depression
https://adaa.org/find-help/treatment-help/self-screening
I should emphasize that it isn’t a bad thing to address the symptoms of mental illness — it is a good thing. However, it is insufficient to just address those symptoms. Mental illness doesn’t just appear out of nowhere — there is a reason that it appears. As such, it is important to analyze the underlying causes to properly address the issue.