“Difficult person” describes a personality trait that makes some people virtually impossible to please. The trait can be shaped by lack of self-determination and clear expression, and it may manifest as anxiety or depression. Calling someone difficult can feel pejorative, but it can also describe complex interpersonal dynamics that reflect reality. A mother who was kind and generous also showed stubbornness, negativity, pessimism, anger, and frustration, with “No” as a default response. Over time, family members learned she could not be fully pleased, only managed. The psychological implications of this trait are significant for employers and employees.
"Being a “difficult person” is a personality trait that makes some people virtually impossible to please. It can also be shaped by lack of self-determination and clear expression, manifesting as anxiety/depression. The implications of this psychological trait are big for employers and employees."
"Mom gave my brother and me our strength, resilience, drive, and, above all, moral fiber. She was also kind and generous, especially to those less fortunate than us. She was a feminist in her own right, establishing boundaries for herself in the deeply traditional culture of South India's Iyengar community. She was a big proponent of the education of working-class Indian women and paid for all our housemaids' children's schooling and kept track of their grades."
"And my mother was also a difficult person. Stubborn, negative, pessimistic, and prone to bouts of anger and frustration. “No” was her default mode. But we knew how much she loved us. Over time, my dad, brother, and I understood that Mom could never really be pleased, only managed. Married to her for 60 years, my dad became a master of stoicism."
#workplace-psychology #personality-traits #self-determination #anxiety-and-depression #communication-and-boundaries
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