Contract with Your Abuser – Part I
Abuse is a complex phenomenon, and it is difficult to prevent or control the abuser’s behavior. Attempts to broach the subject of the abuser’s mental health problems frequently end in fights or worse. The delineation of boundaries and reaching an agreement on coexistence are the first important steps towards minimizing abuse in relationships. Personal boundaries are not negotiable, and the abuser should have no say in setting boundaries or upholding them.
Victims of Abuse: Recovery and Healing
Sam Vaknin discusses the process of healing and recovery for victims of abuse. The therapist’s first task is to legitimize and validate the victim’s fears and make it clear that the victim is not responsible for the abuse. Facing, reconstructing, and reframing the traumatic experiences is crucial for healing. Education is an important tool in the recovery process, and the victim should be made aware of the prevalence and nature of violence against women, warning signs, legal redress, coping strategies, and safety precautions. The therapist should emphasize the survivor’s strengths and help the victim regain control of her life.
Intimacy and Abuse
Abuse often occurs in intimate relationships, despite it being easier to abuse a stranger. Abusers often believe that their abusive behavior fosters intimacy and equate violence with enhanced intimacy. Many abusers were raised in environments where abuse was condoned, and they perceive intimacy as a license to abuse. Abusers are often scared of real intimacy and use abuse as a way to fend it off.
Safe Surfing: Narcissist Invades Your Computer
Narcissists may use malware to log everything you type, discover your passwords, and break into your email and bank accounts. To protect yourself, never click on links or open attachments from unknown sources, and never enter personal details on unknown sites. Always check the lock icon and HTTPS address before entering personal information, and read emails in text format rather than HTML. Change your passwords frequently, update your operating system and antivirus software, and scan your computer for malware regularly. If you notice suspicious behavior, disconnect from the internet and scan your computer for malware.
Narcissist’s Dream: The Interpretation (Part 2 of 2)
The dreamer, who believes himself to be a narcissist in the process of healing, has a dream where he is with two friends who vanish towards the end of the dream. The dreamer is not worried about their disappearance, suggesting that they are not three-dimensional friends but rather friendly mental functions. The dreamer is manipulated by his friends to react to an old woman’s antiques, and he finally confronts her. The dreamer is the plaything of others, and his actions and reactions are determined by input from the outside. The dreamer must leverage his own disorder to disown it and move on to another plane of existence.
Narcissist’s Dream: The Dream (Part 1 of 2)
A man who believes he is a narcissist has a dream in which he is in a run-down restaurant with two friends. He is confronted by an old, obnoxious, drunk woman who throws food at him, and he calls the police. He then opens a dam and water flows through a huge room. He sees a pretty woman but does not meet her due to getting grease on his hands and clothes. He is then confronted by a policeman who tells him to leave town. The man feels both elated and ashamed and does not know where to go.
Borderline Personality Disorder Patient Therapy Notes
Do is a 26-year-old female diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She struggles with maintaining a stable sense of self-worth and self-esteem, and her confidence in holding onto men is low. She has had six serious relationships in the past year, all of which ended due to violent fights over trivial matters. Do admits to physically assaulting three of her ex-partners and has suicidal ideation, which sometimes manifests in minor acts of self-injury and self-mutilation. She also struggles with drug use, shopping addiction, and binge eating.
Passive-Aggressive (Negativisitic) Patient Therapy Notes
The negativistic, passive-aggressive personality disorder is not a formal diagnosis in the psychiatric community, but it is widely diagnosed and treated. In a simulated therapy session, Mike, a 52-year-old male diagnosed with negativistic or passive-aggressive personality disorder, attends therapy at the request of his wife. Mike is emotionally absent and aloof, and he regards psychotherapy as a form of conartistry. He admits to being unappreciated and underpaid at work, and he believes that he deserves more than that. Mike is a cantankerous curmudgeon who sulks and gets into arguments.
International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is published by the World Health Organization and included mental health disorders for the first time in 1948. The ICD-8 was implemented in 1968 and was descriptive and operational, but sported a confusing plethora of categories and allowed for rampant comorbidity. The ICD-10, the current version, was revolutionary and incorporated the outcomes of numerous collaborative studies and programs. However, an international study carried out in 112 clinical centers in 39 countries demonstrated that the ICD-10 is not a reliable diagnostic tool as far as personality disorders go.
Brain Injury, Head Trauma, Personality Disorders
Head trauma can cause temporary narcissistic behaviors and traits, but it cannot induce a full-fledged personality disorder. People with brain injuries may acquire traits and behaviors typical of certain personality disorders, but head trauma never results in a long-term personality disorder. Medical conditions can activate a narcissistic defense mechanism, and certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, are characterized by mood swings that are not brought about by external events. The biochemistry of narcissistic personality disorder is not well understood, but there seems to be some vague link to serotonin.