Narcissistic Abuse and Victim Aggression (Interview in Bronson Men)
Sam Vaknin discusses pathological narcissism and how it is caused by a fixation that occurs when one does not progress beyond a certain emotional age due to getting the wrong signals and input from their maternal figure. Narcissistic abuse is different from other forms of abuse as it aims to deanimate the victim and reduce them to a manipulable object. Vaknin also shares his views on victimhood movements and the confusion between sexual identity, sexual orientation, and gender roles.
Why NPD and BPD are Perfect Match?
Narcissism and borderline personality disorder are a perfect match, despite the fact that the narcissist tends to devalue and discard their partner while the borderline has abandonment anxiety. The borderline needs a partner who will idealize them and reduce their abandonment anxiety, but then discard them when they feel suffocated. The only intimate partner who provides both functions reliably is the narcissist.
Oedipus, Electra Complexes Bed One Parent, Kill The Other
The Oedipal and Electra complexes are not about sexual attraction to parents, but rather about the child’s need to merge and fuse with the parent of the opposite sex. Until age three or four, children are pansexual and have no concept of sexual attraction or sex drive. The Oedipal complex is actually autoerotic and a manifestation of primary narcissism. The child falls in love with himself and redirects all these emotions and drives and urges at his mother because she’s part of him. The father has no place in this internal economy, and the child pushes him away because he’s unable to cope with external objects.
Chance And Generational Trauma Pandemic Settles Nature Vs. Nature Debate
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses two new factors that influence who we become: chance or randomness and generational trauma. Recent research suggests that random molecular fluctuations in developing brain cells, especially in the womb, can influence the brain’s wiring and have lifelong consequences. Additionally, generational trauma, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can have a significant impact on mental health and personality development. These factors are considered more important than the traditional nature versus nurture debate in determining our identities.
Is Your Pet Cat a Psychopath? (PURR, GASP!)
A recent study by researchers at the University of Liverpool has found that all cats have some level of psychopathy, with the reason being that in an ancestral environment that demanded self-sufficiency, wild cats that had higher levels of psychopathic traits may have been more successful in acquiring resources such as food, territory and mating opportunities. The study settled on the conclusion that all cats are psychopathic to some degree. The questions asked in the study are pretty generic, such as my cat demands attention, or my cat disobeys rules, or behaviors that are pretty standard for the species.
Why Narcissist Distrusts You ( Ontological Insecurity)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of ontological insecurity and its impact on identity. He emphasizes the importance of ontological security in developing a stable sense of self-identity and the potential consequences of ontological insecurity on mental and physical health. Vaknin also highlights the role of trust and the impact of modern society on ontological security. He references the work of Anthony Giddens and advocates for the reintroduction of past psychological concepts into education.
Snippets from Cold Therapy Seminar in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Romania
The text covers various topics, including the author’s book “Cold Therapy,” the importance of autonomy and independence in intimate relationships, the problem with the current transgender movement, and the concept of the mother interject and false self in narcissism. The author emphasizes the need for gender-neutral institutions and the potential abuse of the victimhood movement by narcissists and psychopaths. The author also discusses the risks and benefits of cold therapy in eliminating the false self in narcissism.
Insider Tips: Rid Yourself of Your Toxic Partner (with Sarah Davison)
Sam Vaknin explains the differences between healthy and pathological narcissism, and the differences between psychopaths and narcissists. He also discusses gaslighting, confabulation, and the strategies that children who experience abuse and trauma adopt. Sam believes that narcissists are very sick people and should not have any access to their children. He also explains that narcissists reject reality at an early stage in life and invent an imaginary friend, which later becomes the false self and a paracosm.
Free Will: Illusion or Reality?
Free will is a useful fiction that helps humans make sense of life and provides self-efficacious guidance. It is an article of faith rather than a fact or hypothesis, and has no place in modern scientific discourse. However, it is crucial for human civilization and moral responsibility. The concept of free will depends on the frame of reference and level of description, and while it may not exist from a cosmic point of view, it is a powerful organizing principle from a human perspective.
Why Childhood Abuse Victims Hate And Are Hated
Victims of childhood abuse tend to hate themselves and provoke others to hate them as well, as they feel more comfortable when despised and rejected. This self-destructive behavior is influenced by the reactions of adults in their environment, shaping their self-states and molding their brains. Abused children develop trauma and post-traumatic conditions due to the reactions of the adults around them. Narcissists, in particular, love to be hated and hate to be loved, fearing intimacy and seeking punishment through provoking negative reactions from others.