Millon Inventory. Introduction
evaluates personality disorders
The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI) evaluates personality disorders and clinical syndromes. It comprises 175 true-false questions and assesses Axis I (10 clinical syndromes) and Axis II (14 personality disorders) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
The Millon Inventory by Dr. Theodore Millon is rooted in groundbreaking personality theory. It stands as one of the most extensively researched and widely used tools for evaluating adult psychopathology today spurring numerous publications.
The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) and its revisions, including MCMI-III, is widely recognized psychometric test exceling in diagnosing personality disorders and relational patterns. According to Millon, MCMI has featured in countless studies, offering insights into personality functioning and diagnosing personality disorders. Currently, MCMI ranks as one of the most frequently used personality tests in both civil and forensic psychology.
Known for its efficiency, the MCMI-III swiftly and accurately assesses DSM-V-related personality disorders and clinical syndromes.
A distinctive feature is its treatment-oriented Interpretive Report, offering a comprehensive perspective on the results. Mental health professionals worldwide depend on the MCMI-III as vital support for personalized therapy aimed at restoring long-term well-being in patients.
Theodore Millon’s short biography
Theodore Millon, (August 18, 1928 – January 29, 2014), was distinguished American psychologist, who made significant contributions to the field, especially trough his research on advancing the understanding of personality disorders.
Dr. Millon’s early life was marked by academic excellence. His journey into psychology began with his undergraduate studies in psychology, physics, and philosophy at the City College of New York. His passion for psychology grew, leading him to earn a master’s degree in clinical work and later a Ph.D. in 1953, focusing on the authoritarian personality.
In his final role as Dean and Scientific Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Personology and Psychopathology at the University of Miami, Millon continued his work on personality pathologies.
Understanding personality disorders
Millon’s journey into understanding personality began with his immersion in Allentown State Hospital, an experience that exposed him to various personality disorders. He later delved deeper into character types like the narcissist, dependent, and histrionic during his tenure at the University of Illinois.
Millon’s impact extended to his involvement in the revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). He contributed detailed descriptions of personality disorders, emphasizing their distinction from other clinical disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
While working at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Millon’s exposure to psychopathological conditions inspired him to write Modern Psychopathology in 1969. This seminal work aimed to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding psychopathology by bridging biological and psychological factors.
In the late 1970s, now at the University of Illinois, Millon developed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI). Responding to a growing need for personality assessment tools, he created this instrument to categorize accurately personality types.
Key Features of Millon Inventory 3rd revision (MCMI III)
- Enhance therapy planning precision.
- Identify the profound, underlying personality traits beneath a patient’s visible symptoms.
- Attain an integrated understanding of personality-characteristics and clinical syndromes, guiding treatment.
- Evaluate Axis I and Axis II disorders, based on DSM-IV classification.
- Gain a comprehensive grasp of how personality traits relate to clinical syndromes, aiding treatment decisions.
- Acquire a wealth of information with minimal patient effort, streamlining the assessment process.
- Make it suitable for assessing emotional, behavioural, or interpersonal issues
Administration and Scoring of Millon Inventory
The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–III is a 175-item True/False self-report tool. It assesses 14 personality patterns and 10 clinical syndromes in adults aged 18 and older in mental health settings. Administering the test takes approximately 20–30 minutes. Examiners should have graduate training in psychodiagnostics assessment.
Since its introduction in 1977, it has become one of the most used assessments for examining personality disorders and major clinical syndromes.
14 Clinical Personality Pattern Scales in Millon Inventory (Axis II symptom scales):
- Schizoid: These individuals are socially detached, preferring solitude, and appearing aloof, apathetic, and distant. They struggle to form and maintain relationships.
2A. Avoidant: They experience social anxiety due to perceived expectations of rejection.
2B. Depressive: Even in the absence of clinical depression, they tend to be downcast and gloomy.
- Dependent: These individuals are passive, submissive, and feel inadequate, often lacking autonomy and initiative.
- Histrionic: They are gregarious, with a strong need for attention, sometimes displaying manipulative tendencies.
- Narcissistic: These individuals are self-centred, exploitative, arrogant, and egotistical.
6A. Antisocial: They exhibit irresponsibility, vengefulness, engage in criminal behaviour, and value independence.
6B. Aggressive (Sadistic): These individuals are controlling and abusive, finding pleasure in humiliating others.
7. Compulsive: They are orderly, organized, efficient, and perfectionistic, often driven by a desire to avoid authority’s reprimands.
8A. Passive-Aggressive (Negativistic): They are disgruntled, argumentative, petulant, oppositional, and negativistic, often keeping others on edge.
8B. Self-Defeating: These individuals engage in behaviours that lead others to take advantage of and abuse them. They act like martyrs and are self-sacrificing.
Severe Personality Pathology Scales
S. Schizotypal: Individuals appear “spacey,” self-absorbed, eccentric, and cognitively confused.
C. Borderline: They exhibit labile affect and erratic behaviour, often intense, dissatisfied, and self-destructive.
P. Paranoid: Rigid and defensive, they hold delusions of influence and persecution. Mistrust can lead to anger.
10 Clinical Syndrome Scales in Millon Inventory (Axis I Symptom Scales)
A. Anxiety Disorder: Individuals feel anxious, tense, and physiologically over aroused.
H. Somatoform: They obsess over vague physical problems with no known organic cause, often hypochondriacal and somaticizing.
N. Bipolar: Manic Disorder: They experience excessive energy, impulsivity, sleeplessness, and manic episodes.
D. Dysthymic Disorder: While functioning, they are persistently depressed, pessimistic, and have low self-esteem.
B. Alcohol Dependence: They acknowledge alcohol-related problems or traits associated with alcohol abuse.
T. Drug Dependence: They admit to drug-related issues or traits linked to drug abuse.
R. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: They report intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks related to a traumatic event.
Severe Syndrome Scales
SS. Thought Disorder: Individuals experience severe thought disorders, often with hallucinations and delusions.
CC. Major Depression: They are severely depressed, unable to function, with vegetative signs of clinical depression and feelings of hopelessness.
PP. Delusional Disorder: Acutely paranoid, they have irrational thinking and may act on their delusions.
The MCMI-III is designed for adults (18 and older) seeking mental health evaluation and treatment, with at least an eighth grade reading level. It’s not suitable for nonclinical use, as it may produce distorted results.
Clinical Applications of Millon Inventory
Assessment of Personality Disorders:
The MCMI-III swiftly assesses the presence or absence of personality disorders. Knowing these disorders can influence treatment decisions and predict responses to treatment. It’s also valuable to confirm the absence of personality disorders.
In forensic settings, the MCMI-III helps when personality disorders are linked to a crime and during the penalty phase, where they may mitigate sentencing.
Assessing Personality Style
Beyond diagnostic assessment, the MCMI-III reveals critical personality traits that aid in understanding and treating patients. This information clarifies patient reactions to interventions and dysfunctional daily behaviour patterns.
Assessing Clinical Syndromes
While it doesn’t offer specificity, the MCMI-III diagnoses major clinical syndromes in DSM-IV. Objective diagnostic tests often catch disorders missed in clinical interviews.
Assessing Severity of Disorders
The MCMI-III gauges the severity of personality disorders and clinical syndromes. This insight benefits mental health clinics, marital therapy, criminal evaluations, and screening.
Assessing Treatment Outcomes
Comparing pre- and post-treatment MCMI-III results evaluates the effectiveness of interventions, both pharmacological and psychosocial. It’s crucial for long-term changes as personality disorders are deeply ingrained.
Millon Inventory Assessment Sessions
The MCMI assessment consists of three sessions:
- The Intake Session: Duration 90 minutes
- The Assessment Session: Duration 60 minutes
- The Feedback/Recommendation Session: Duration 60 minutes
At the Clinic for Health and Medical Care in Dubai, we provide the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI)test for adults. Please contact us for more information about testing.
Sources
“Test Developer Profiles — Theodore Millon, Ph.D., D.Sc”. McGraw-Hill. 2001
Kinder, Bill N.; Strack, Stephen (2006). Pioneers of personality science: autobiographical perspectives. New York: Springer Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0-8261-3205-5.
“Theodore Millon Award in Personality Psychology”. American Psychological Association. 2010.
Millon, Theodore; Carrie M. Millon; Seth Grossman; Sarah Meagher; Rowena Ramnath (2004). Personality Disorders in Modern Life. John Wiley and Sons. p. 290. ISBN 978-0-471-23734-1.
Millon, Theodore (2006). “Personality Subtypes Summary”. The Official Website for Theodore Millon, Ph.D., D.Sc. DICANDRIEN, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
Millon, Theodore (1995). Disorders of Personality: DSM-IV and Beyond.
Browning, Julie (October 29, 2005). “Theodore Millon – Grandfather of Personality Theory”. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2010.
The New York Times. Theodore Millon, Psychologist and Student of Personality. Obituary on Millons death. Feb. 1, 2014, Section A, Page 21 of the New York edition.