Not every emotional response is pathological. Not all fear or depressed mood is pathological. We’re emotional beings who respond to our environment. And your response takes on a certain flavor that’s influenced by your psychological make up.

We talk about personalities and define them based on multiple criteria. But the latest version of the diagnostic and statistical manual, 5th edition, proposes another model for defining personality characteristics. It uses a dimensional approach. And it really boils down to two dimensions: self and interpersonal interactions.

Self can be broken down further into identity and self-direction.
Interpersonal interactions are broken down into your capacity for empathy and intimacy.

References
Boag S. Ego, drives, and the dynamics of internal objects. Front Psychol. 2014;5:666. Published 2014 Jul 1. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00666

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