Is it possible to spot personality dysfunction from someone's everyday word use? My colleagues and I have conducted research that suggests you can, and often sooner than you might expect.

In one study of 530 people, published in the Journal of Personality Disorders, we analysed written essays about peoples’ close relationships. We also collected data on their levels of personality dysfunction. Those with greater personality dysfunction used language that carried a sense of urgency and self-focus – “I need…”, “I have to…”, “I am…”.