Vaknin Talks

Full transcripts of Sam Vaknin's videos

When Narcissist Is Rejected By Peers

The text discusses the etiology of pathological narcissism, focusing on the impact of peer rejection on children who are already facing challenges such as autism, obesity, or gender dysphoria. It explains how peer rejection triggers cognitive dissonance and leads to

Read More »

How Dark Tetrads Confuse Your Therapist, Coach

Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the differences between mental illnesses, particularly personality disorders, and the importance of accurate differential diagnosis. He emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of these disorders and criticizes the misinformation spread by self-styled experts online. Vaknin

Read More »

Narcissist Needs You to Fail Him, Let Go (with Azam Ali)

In this conversation, Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of narcissistic abuse and the dynamics of narcissistic relationships. He explains the narcissist’s need for existence and the victim’s hunger for love and intimacy, highlighting the irreconcilable nature of these two needs.

Read More »

“Bipolar” Narcissist Euphoric, Dysphoric Fantasies

Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the role of fantasy in regulating the moods of narcissists, distinguishing between euphoric and dysphoric fantasies. He explains how cognitive distortions protect the narcissist’s fantasy defense mechanism and delves into the connection between narcissism and post-traumatic

Read More »

Taker, User Narcissist Feels Loved, Vindicated

Narcissists and psychopaths are users and takers due to their upbringing in environments where they learned to give minimally and conditionally. They lack positive emotions and empathy, so they view relationships as transactional and seek to maximize their returns while

Read More »