Can You Mortify Borderline, Psychopath
In this video, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of narcissistic modification, which is the total disintegration of a narcissist’s defenses, including their false self. He explains that inducing mortification in a narcissist can be useful in preventing them from hoovering, but it is not recommended to modify a psychopath or borderline. He also clarifies the differences between narcissistic injury, wound, and scar, and how all three types of Cluster B personalities react with rage to narcissistic injury and mortification.
Why We Love to Hate Celebrities (Interview in Superinteressante Magazine in Brazil)
Celebrities serve as mythical narratives and blank screens for fans to project their emotions onto. When celebrities deviate from these roles, it can provoke rage from fans. Celebrities who are narcissists use their false self to elicit constant attention and interest, and celebrity itself is a variant of narcissism.
Why I Remain Silent on Depp-Heard Trial (Interview in Superinteressante Magazine in Brazil)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, stating that he will not comment on it as it is gossip and not academic. He criticizes mental health experts who have appeared on behalf of both parties, calling them unqualified. Vaknin then delves into the psychology of celebrity, explaining that celebrities fulfill emotional functions for fans, allowing them to indulge in wish fulfillment and daydreaming. However, when celebrities deviate from their prescribed roles, fans feel betrayed and humiliated, leading to a desire to punish and humiliate the celebrity.
Narcissist’s 3 Depressions
Narcissists experience three types of depression: loss-induced dysphoria, deficiency-induced dysphoria, and self-worth dysregulation dysphoria. Loss-induced dysphoria occurs when sources of narcissistic supply gradually fade away, while deficiency-induced dysphoria is an acute response to abrupt loss of supply. Self-worth dysregulation dysphoria is a reaction to a sudden drop in self-esteem and self-worth due to criticism or humiliation. Narcissists are not happy-go-lucky individuals; they are heavily wounded, traumatized, and grieving people who try to compensate for their sadness with a facade of happiness and grandiosity.
YOU=Your Relationships+Self-states (Turnu Severin Intl. Conference on Psychology)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the controversies in modern psychology, the concept of self, and the formation of self-states through dissociation in infancy. He explains that healthy individuals have adaptive self-states that change in reaction to the environment, while those with personality disorders have dysregulated self-states that are protected and complete. He also discusses the connection between internal and external objects in psychology and emphasizes the importance of defense mechanisms for the proper functioning of self-states. Finally, he mentions the importance of early intervention in diagnosing and treating mental illness in children and adolescents.
Is Your Child a Psychopath, Borderline, Narcissist? (Turnu Severin Intl. Conference on Psychology)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the signs of emerging personality disorders in children and adolescents, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. He also notes the prevalence of self-harm and substance abuse in those with emerging personality disorders and the effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating borderline personality disorder. In the lecture, Vaknin provides ten warning signs to look out for in children and adolescents, including attachment disorder behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and disturbed object relations with peers. He also discusses the importance of distinguishing healthy adolescent behaviors from signs of personality disorders.
Narcissistic Abuse: Not Your Fault, Nothing You Can Do (Wellness Insider)
Narcissists have alloplastic defenses, blaming others for their problems and considering themselves perfect. They may resort to therapy when they hit rock bottom, but they seek to return to their old selves rather than change. Narcissists have an external locus of control, perceiving everything as happening to them and regarding their intimate partners as extensions of themselves. To support victims of narcissistic abuse, loved ones should provide validation and support without perpetuating the victimhood stance.
Avoid Mentally Ill: No Families, Relationships
Mentally ill people want to be normal, but it is a lie that therapists and psychologists tell them that they can be cured and lead a normal life. Mental illness is a lifelong condition that is part of a person’s identity and cannot be cured or healed. Mentally ill people should be managed, regulated, and isolated to prevent them from causing harm to themselves and others. Instead of seeking normalcy and intimacy, mentally ill people should focus on their areas of high functioning and accept their limitations.
Daddy Issues: Daddy’s Girl, Mama’s Boy, Father Complex
Daddy issues, a term often used to demean women, are actually more common in men and can be traced back to Sigmund Freud’s father complex. These issues can arise from unhealthy close bonds or distant relationships with fathers, leading to a compulsive pursuit of male attention and gratification later in life. Men and women with daddy issues often display codependent and borderline behaviors, such as possessiveness, jealousy, and emotional blackmail. These issues can lead to drama and self-harming behaviors, as individuals seek to feel alive by teaming up with older men who represent impending death.
Can Narcissist be Tricked Into Healing? (with Daria Zukowska)
Sam Vaknin explains that while certain behaviors of narcissists can be modified, the disorder itself is very difficult to reverse. The realistic treatment goal for NPD is to make the narcissist more acceptable to others and less problematic. In therapy with narcissists, conditioning and reinforcement are critical. The therapist should provide a constant stream of narcissistic supply and explicit praise when the narcissist modifies their behavior in accordance with treatment goals. Narcissists have emotional distortions because they have cognitive distortions, and they have access only to negative emotions.