Q&A Fantasy of Gifted Narcissist plus Why We Love, Hate, and Envy Celebrities, Prodigies and Gurus
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of fantasy in the narcissistic mind, the relationship between narcissists and borderlines, and the inner world of the artist. He also delves into the shared fantasy, the experience of the narcissist, and the reasons behind hoovering. Additionally, he explores the phenomenon of acquired situational narcissism and the three Rs test for remorse, remediation, and restoration.
Art and Narcissism: Communicating Souls and Audience
Sam Vaknin discusses the soul, the mind, and the role of artists in bridging between minds. He explores the connection between narcissism and art, and the challenges of communication and judgment in the artistic process. He also delves into the relationship between creativity, mental illness, and the human experience.
Pandemic Taught Us Humility – Can Give Us Purpose: Back to Village, Communal Therapy
Professor Sam Vaknin argues that psychotherapy has failed as a discipline, as mental health disorders have grown exponentially in recent decades. He suggests that psychology needs to shift from individual therapy to a more communal form of therapeutic intervention, focusing on creating a sense of belonging, community, and meaning in people’s lives. Vaknin believes that leveraging social media for mass therapy and focusing on teaching and education could help address the mental health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jung against Freud: Narcissism is Healthy
Sam Vaknin discusses the differences between Freud and Jung’s views on narcissism. He presents Jung’s concept of the self as distinct from the ego and delves into the development of narcissism in early childhood. Vaknin also explores the impact of maternal behavior on the child’s psyche and the formation of personality disorders.
Gurus, Geniuses, Mystics: Madmen and Con-artists
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the rise of narcissism and grandiosity in society, fueled by self-proclaimed gurus, life coaches, and mystics who prey on people’s insecurities and desires for success. He argues that the education system and social media have contributed to the belief that everyone is special and unique, leading to a generation of underachievers with unrealistic expectations. Vaknin also touches on the challenges faced by child prodigies as they grow up, often becoming narcissistic and struggling to maintain their achievements. In summary, Vaknin believes that society is heading towards a narcissistic and psychopathic civilization where appearance and self-promotion matter more than knowledge and genuine accomplishment.
Face to Face with Buried Traumas: Personality Disorders as Survival Adaptations
The ego is essential for integrating the inner and outer world, regulating drives, and providing a sense of continuity and personal identity. In narcissists, the ego is non-existent, and a false self takes over, draining their energy and creating a distorted perception of reality. This false self is rigid and unable to adapt to life’s challenges, making narcissists fragile and defensive. The true self becomes isolated and atrophied, leaving the narcissist at the mercy of their false self.
Sadist: The Pleasure of Your Pain, the Anguish of Your Pleasure (and Narcissist)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses sadistic personality disorder and its manifestations in individuals. He delves into the removal of sadistic personality disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and the motivations behind sadistic behavior in narcissists. He also provides insights into the intersection of sadism and narcissism, as well as the impact of sadistic behavior on victims.
Four Pillars of Self-love
Self-love is about having a realistic view of oneself and pursuing happiness and favorable outcomes. It is essential for living a proper life and being capable of loving and being loved. The four conditions for healthy self-love are self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-trust, and self-efficacy. These conditions are necessary for survival and guide individuals to make rational, realistic, and beneficial decisions. Experience alone is not enough without self-love, as self-love serves as a reliable compass in life.
Disease and Illness as Narcissistic Dynamics
In this video, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the relationship between disease, illness, and narcissism. He explores the subjective experience of disease, the impact on the patient’s sense of self, and the challenges of communicating the experience of illness to others. He also delves into the psychological effects of chronic illness and the ways in which patients may internalize their suffering. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the complex and deeply personal nature of pain and illness.
Why Narcissists Love Borderline Women and Why They Hate Them Back
Narcissistic mortification is a challenge to the false self, which crumbles and is unable to maintain defenses and pretensions. Narcissists use two strategies to restore some cohesiveness to the self: deflated and inflated narcissist. Narcissists engage in mortification, a form of self-mutilation, to feel alive and free from commitment to their false self. Narcissists seek out borderline women to mortify them and experience the unresolved primary conflict with their mother.