Narcissism is a choice that can be influenced by genetics and environmental factors, such as childhood trauma. It serves as a role play and narrative that helps individuals make sense of their lives and the world around them. In modern
Narcissists reject empathy and intimacy because it challenges their grandiosity, and they become paranoid and aggressive when someone tries to be intimate with them. Narcissists lack empathy and access to positive emotions, leading to a truncated version of empathy called
In summary, the narcissist’s intimate partner plays a crucial role in the shared fantasy by fulfilling the roles of admirer, playmate, and mother. This allows the narcissist to experience maximal grandiosity and feel safe enough to separate and individuate. However,
Professor Sam Vaknin discussed the psychological implications of the COVID pandemic, focusing on trauma psychology models. He explained that the pandemic has caused a collective trauma, leading to a potential increase in mental health issues and personality disorders. The pandemic
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the opening of a new YouTube channel and responds to a comment about a theory in psychology. He delves into the theory of structural dissociation and its application to trauma and personality disorders. He also discusses
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of Occam’s Razor in science and proposes that all personality disorders are a single clinical entity. He delves into the covert states of various personality disorders, such as covert narcissism, covert histrionic, and covert
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his upcoming controversial claim that all narcissists oscillate between being overt and covert in reaction to changing life circumstances and extreme narcissistic injury. He also delves into the behaviors of covert narcissists and the collapsed state
Today’s topic is malignant magical thinking. Magical thinking is a healthy stage of development in early childhood, but in adulthood, it can indicate underlying pathology. It involves the belief that thoughts can affect reality, and can lead to delusional disorder.
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the emotional and cognitive deficits in individuals with Cluster B personality disorders, such as narcissists, borderlines, psychopaths, histrionics, and codependents. These individuals have deformed, mutated forms of empathy, and their emotional regulation is not healthy. They
In a relationship with a narcissist, it is important to know what not to do and what to do to maintain the relationship. Avoid disagreeing, contradicting, or criticizing the narcissist, and never offer intimacy or challenge their self-image. To make