When Your Pain Traumatizes Others: Vicarious (Secondary) Trauma
Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress, occurs when an individual is exposed to another person’s traumatic experiences, leading to emotional and psychological distress. This phenomenon is common among mental health professionals, but can also affect loved ones and others who empathize with trauma survivors. Vicarious trauma can have severe consequences on an individual’s mental and physical health, as well as their personal and professional relationships. To cope with and prevent vicarious trauma, individuals should practice self-care, seek therapy, and work on building resilience and happiness.
Covert, Women Narcissists Make It Into NEW DSM 5-TR
The DSM-5 acknowledges covert or vulnerable narcissists and accepts parity between women and men in terms of being diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. However, the DSM-5 is still disappointing and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Committee is still somewhat influenced by the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. The DSM-5 introduces dimensional models for personality disorders, which represent maladaptive variants of personality traits that merge imperceptibly into normality and into one another. The DSM’s alternative model for narcissistic personality disorder specifies typical features of narcissistic personality disorder are variable and vulnerable self-esteem, with attempts at regulation through attention and approval seeking, and either overt or covert grandiosity.
Mass Shooters: Mentally Ill or Show-off?
Mass shooters are typically young, white males who engage in mass shootings as a spectacle and a way to gain immortality and control. They often have a strong presence on social media and are driven by grandiosity, negative emotions, and perceived grievances. The psychology of mass shooters differs from that of terrorists, as they are not ideologically motivated. Preventing mass shootings requires threat assessment, intervention, and addressing the issue of gun control.
Transformed Against Your Will Behind Narcissist’s Glass, Darkly (with Luke Elijah)
Dr. Sam Vaknin, a professor of psychology and finance, discusses the differences between bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and psychopathy. He advises against confronting narcissists on their toxic behaviors and explains the psychology behind gaslighting and hoovering. Dr. Vaknin believes that while narcissists can change their behaviors, their internal state remains unchanged. He also clarifies the concept of healthy narcissism and expresses concern about the misinformation surrounding narcissism online.
Suicide: Why Choose Life, Not Death!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the rising tide of suicidal ideation among people of all ages and cultures and provides a philosophical foundation for why people should choose life. He argues that existence is always richer in potential than non-existence and that life is full of potentials because it is complex and because of other people. He also criticizes modern society for presenting falsities, lies, manipulations, and life substitutes that limit people’s promise and suppress their free will. Ultimately, he urges people to choose themselves and realize that their existence alone suffices to steer everyone and everything in another direction and towards an alternative destiny.
Do We Create Reality, Is It a Hive Mind? (with Benny Hendel)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the idea that reality is observer-dependent, and that the mind creates reality via the process of intentionality. He suggests that the observer is not naive and does not collapse the wave function, but rather, the observer is not capable of seeing anything else but the collapsed state. Vaknin proposes that the universe has a DNA of order and structure, and that the role of human beings is to observe the universe and via the act of observation, to collapse it, creating order and structure. He suggests that with every act of collective observation, we are cementing the past of the universe, not just the present.
We are Nothing but Time: Chronon Field Theory (with Benny Hendel)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his work on chronome field theory, which aims to simplify physics by using time as a force with a field and a single particle called a chronon. The chronon has different excitation states that correspond to various aspects of physics, such as mass and energy. By using these two principles, Vaknin claims that all existing theories in physics can be derived, including string theory and quantum field theory.
Brain Neuroplasticity: Neuroscience Of Self States
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses neuroplasticity and its implications for the concept of a unitary self. He also touches on the four S’s of a narcissist’s intimate partner and delves into various psychological phenomena such as ambivalence, cognitive dissonance, and compartmentalization. Vaknin provides a detailed breakdown of different types of neuroplasticity and their impact on the brain’s ability to change and adapt. He also challenges traditional models of psychology and identity, advocating for a self-states model.
Collapse Variants Of Somatic Narcissism, Wounded Borderline Self Trashing
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the mispronunciation of “ketamine” and delves into the topic of narcissism and sexuality. He explains the differences between cerebral and somatic narcissists, and how they transition between these states, often experiencing collapse. Additionally, he explores the behavior of borderline women in response to abandonment, and the connection between collapse and personality disorder transitions.
Psychedelics Hype Or Hope
Professor Sam Vaknin argues that claims about the healing effects of psychedelics on narcissistic personality disorder are exaggerated and misleading. He states that there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims, as most studies on psychedelics have not been conducted with proper control groups. Vaknin believes that talk therapy is the recommended treatment for pathological narcissism, while antidepressants can be used for comorbid depression and OCD. He advises against self-treatment with psychedelics for psychological disorders, as it may cause more harm than good.