Narcissism: A Spiritual Cancer (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Narcissism is a hyper, super, post-modern religion that is spreading like a cancer, or metastasizing, according to Professor Sam Vaknin. It is a spiritual cancer that is prevalent worldwide, and it involves a relationship between the false self and the worshipper. Narcissism is not good, and in the Middle Ages, it would have been considered a demonic or satanic religion.
Narcissism as a New Religion (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Narcissism is a cyclical problem that leads to social unrest, bloody rebellions, and massive wars. It is not only a mental health disorder but also a new religion that is similar to Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or Buddhism. Narcissism is a non-monotheistic religion with as many gods as there are adherents, and it is the first network religion. It is a modern religion that uses the dominant metaphor of networking, and within a few decades, it will be the dominant religion.
Narcissist: Traumatized Child and Victim (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Narcissism can be a post-traumatic condition, either from early childhood trauma or from specific life circumstances, such as becoming a celebrity. Narcissism is a defense mechanism that can be activated in victims of abuse, leading them to become indistinguishable from narcissists. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is often the outcome of prolonged narcissistic abuse and can lead to borderline personality disorder, which is characterized by narcissism. Narcissism is contagious and can spread like an infectious disease.
Anxiety, Pain, Suicide in Thanatic Societies (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
In a pain-and-death-oriented society, anxiety is the ruling emotion. Our economies are constructed around growth, and our relationships are dysfunctional. The only efficient coping strategy in such a world is narcissism, which is on the rise, especially among the young. Narcissism seems to be a positive adaptation, and some people use it to get to the White House. Victims of narcissistic abuse adopt psychopathic and narcissistic behaviors and traits as a defense, and we are moving into a psychopathic world. We have lost our dreams and don’t have any believable stories left, leaving us as dead flesh.
Selves, True and False in Narcissism (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
The true self of a narcissist is a dead part that no longer contributes or consumes energy, it is ossified and fossilized. The narcissist’s insides have been externalized, and they use their false self to regulate and interact with the world. Narcissists need other people to regulate their internal environment and form a coherent identity, and they solicit narcissistic supply to regulate their sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Without narcissistic supply, the narcissist will disintegrate into molecules, and their very sense of existence depends on input from others.
Interpersonal Narcissist: Family and Relationships (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Narcissists engage in a power play in relationships, which is a zero-sum game that doesn’t allow for intimacy or building something long-term. The narcissist will leverage whatever happens and whatever attributes of the relationship for their own gain and control. The longer you live with a narcissist, the more narcissistic you become, and it alters your behavior, identity, and self-perception. The contagion effect is disorienting and dislocating to the point of depersonalization, derealization, and dissociation.
Through Narcland and Beyond (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his work in creating a language to describe narcissism and narcissistic abuse, which was previously neglected in the field of psychology. He explains that narcissistic abuse is different from other types of abuse as it is total and existential, and that victims were previously unable to describe their experiences. Vaknin believes that his biggest contribution to the field was giving a voice to victims of narcissism, but notes that there is still a lack of knowledge about narcissism among mental health professionals and in universities. He warns that without institutional knowledge of narcissism, narcissists will continue to leverage institutional power to promote themselves and prey on others.
Empath and Gaslighting: Setting the Record Straight
Self-proclaimed empaths are actually narcissistic individuals seeking attention and victimhood. Highly sensitive persons (HSPs) are extremely few and far between and are unlikely to expose themselves in cyberspace. Gaslighting is often confused and conflated with dissociation, confabulation, and dissonances. Narcissists rarely engage in gaslighting, which is a psychopathic tactic. Narcissists’ desperate attempt to restore continuity, introduce some glue into the disjointed parts of their personality, and dissonances are very common but have nothing to do with gaslighting.
LECTURE Narcissist: There Is Nobody Home (English and Hungarian)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the development of narcissism in children due to trauma and dysfunctional parenting. He also touches on the challenges of treating narcissism and the impact of narcissistic abuse on victims. He emphasizes the need for addressing underlying psychological issues and the difficulty in preventing children from developing narcissistic traits in certain environments.
Social Media, ISIS, and Narcissism as Death Cults
In this transcript, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the rise of narcissism in society and its connection to social media. He suggests that social media has become a potent drug that fosters addiction, depression, and anxiety, especially among vulnerable age groups. Vaknin also argues that the decline of traditional institutions and the rise of a death-centered culture have led to a society that values objects and appearances over human relationships and life itself. This has resulted in a growing preoccupation with issues of life and death, such as abortion and euthanasia.