Andrea
Andrea Ashley
214: Challenging the Narrative on Personality Disorders w/ Dr. Peter Salerno: Is It Always Trauma?
214: Challenging the Narrative on Personality Disorders w/ Dr. Peter Salerno: Is It Always Trauma?
214: Challenging the Narrative on Personality Disorders w/ Dr. Peter Salerno: Is It Always Trauma?
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Explore the roots of personality disorders with Dr. Peter Salerno and Andrea Ashley. Is it always trauma? Discover new perspectives on nature vs nurture.
Explicit
98 minutes
Informative
Engaging
Honest
Inspiring
Eye-opening
About this podcast
Author:
Andrea
Overview:
Categories:
Healing Relationships
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Recovery from Trauma
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
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Episodes:
440 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Challenging the Roots of Personality Disorders
Episode Overview
- Personality disorders may develop independently of childhood trauma.
- Biological and trait-based factors play a significant role.
- Misdiagnosis between complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder is common.
- Cultural narratives often demonise individuals as narcissists.
- Understanding intentionality in harmful behaviours is crucial.
"Toxic people think you're holding a grudge when you're actually just holding a boundary."
What truly lies beneath personality disorders? In this riveting episode of 'Adult Child', Andrea Ashley invites Dr. Peter Salerno, a psychologist specialising in personality disorders, to challenge the mainstream narrative that these disorders are solely rooted in childhood trauma. Dr. Salerno, the author of 'The Nature and Nurture of Narcissism' and 'Cruelty by Nature', presents a compelling argument that personality disorders can develop independently of trauma, emphasising biological and trait-based factors.
Andrea pushes back on some of these ideas, sparking a thought-provoking discussion about the nature versus nurture debate. Dr. Salerno shares his journey from literature to psychology, motivated by his own experiences and the stories of those he's treated. He recounts working with clients who intentionally harm others, challenging the assumption that all maladaptive behaviours stem from past trauma.
This episode delves into complex topics like the misdiagnosis of borderline personality disorder and complex PTSD, highlighting the need for accurate definitions and understanding. Andrea and Dr. Salerno explore the impact of relational trauma and how it shapes personality development. They discuss the cultural tendency to demonise others as narcissists, often to avoid personal accountability. The conversation is raw, honest, and at times humorous, as Andrea reflects on her own experiences and questions the broader implications of Dr. Salerno's theories.
Whether you're curious about the intricacies of personality disorders or seeking a deeper understanding of trauma's role in shaping who we are, this episode offers a nuanced perspective that will leave you questioning conventional wisdom. Are personality disorders truly nature or nurture? Dive into this engaging dialogue and decide for yourself.