eight faces

Currently listening to: SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK – Joji

When I’m around slow dancing in the dark
Don’t follow me, you’ll end up in my arms
You have made up your mind
I don’t need no more signs
Can you?
Can you

All of the people shown in this photo were once patients of Hungarian psychiatrist Leopold Szondi. Each lived with a different condition and Szondi believed that who you’re drawn to—who you pick—reveals a part of your own personality. Specifically, a part that’s been suppressed or denied. It’s not about what you show the world, but what’s buried just under the surface.

Disclaimer: the Szondi test is largely discredited as a valid tool for personality assessment in contemporary psychology.

1. The Sadist
   It may reflect a history of being mistreated by authority figures. That past has left a mark, a burning desire to take back control. Outwardly, you may come off as cheerful and agreeable, maybe even a people-pleaser. But underneath that smile is a craving for dominance, or perhaps a fascination with power, control, or even watching others squirm a little. You’ve learned to be polite, but there’s a storm you keep carefully contained.
2. The Epileptic
   You’re kind and warm-hearted, with strong emotional regulation. You keep your impulses in check to avoid making others uncomfortable. People may see you as sweet, even passive. But beneath the surface, there’s a pressure building. You suppress so much that when something does push you too far, your reaction might shock even you. It’s like a volcano—quiet, but simmering.
3. The Catatonic
   It signals a mind that’s loud, even if you appear quiet. You may be plagued by intrusive thoughts or vivid fantasies that clash with your love of order and routine. You’re likely dutiful, intelligent, and hyper-aware of your environment, using structure as a way to manage the mental chaos. You crave comfort and stability, but also wrestle with this internal push toward the unknown. There’s complexity in you—buried thoughts, dreams, even fears you don’t fully understand.
4. The Schizophrenic
   You’re socially active and appear outgoing, but there’s a hollowness that’s hard to name. While you may come across as charming or extroverted, your connections with others might feel thin or performative. You enjoy the company, the chatter, but deep down, you often feel like you’re watching it all from a distance. You repress your detachment, but it’s there, lingering quietly.
5. The Hysteric
   It could point to a complicated relationship with attention. On the surface, you may present as modest or even reserved, but there’s a part of you that craves to be seen. Maybe your childhood taught you to downplay your needs, to not take up too much space. But now, you find subtle ways to shine—through your style, your presence, your words. There’s a performer hidden beneath the humility.
6. The Depressive
   You’re in a depressive episode, but it does suggest a pattern of internalized guilt or unworthiness. You tend to cope by focusing on others—keeping busy, being helpful, burying yourself in work. You show up for people, stay productive, maybe even high-functioning… all while quietly avoiding your own emotional wounds. You care deeply, but don’t always give yourself the same care.
7. The Maniac
   This is often chosen by people who value calm and self-control. You likely suppress your more impulsive or wild tendencies—not because they’re gone, but because you were taught early on to tone it down. You crave balance, and you’ve worked hard to create order in your life. Still, there’s a spark in you—energy, spontaneity, passion—that you keep tightly leashed.
8. The Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
   You reflect a past marked by trauma, rejection, or bullying. You may have learned to survive by fitting in, by following the rules—especially those tied to gender or cultural expectations. You might strongly identify with traditional norms, and even judge others who stray from them, not out of malice, but as a form of self-protection. There’s often a fear of standing out, so you bury the parts of yourself that feel too different, too risky, too you.

I chose number #3, the catatonic. There’s something about the way he smiles that is unnerving to me. Like there’s something sinister curled up behind his teeth, just waiting for the right moment. But to be fair, I have RBF (resting bitch face) and Korean culture places less emphasis on showing emotion than American culture. Low key, overly smiley people creep me out.