Pandemics: COVID-19 and Life’s Meaninglessness (also in Abusive Relationships)
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses two pandemics: COVID-19 and the meaninglessness of life in abusive relationships. He argues that the COVID-19 pandemic is not growing exponentially, but rather in a linear progression, and that the pandemic is largely over. Vaknin also discusses the importance of meaningful interpersonal relationships and how narcissists, psychopaths, histrionics, and borderlines are incapable of having such connections. In abusive relationships, the abuser controls their victim by rendering their life meaningless and inconsequential, leading to self-destructive behavior and trauma for the victim.
Pandemics: COVID19 and Daddy Issues in Borderline-Narcissist Couples
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and borderline narcissistic couples. He addresses misconceptions and misunderstandings about COVID-19, such as confusing case fatality rate with mortality. He then delves into the dynamics of borderline narcissistic couples, where one partner is a narcissist and the other is a borderline. These relationships are characterized by power struggles, punishment, and emotional turmoil, with both partners fulfilling critical functions for each other, but ultimately being better off without each other.
COVID-19 Punishes Our Narcissism (Original Sin, WATCH 1st VID, Links in Description)
The coronavirus pandemic is seen by some as a solution to the ills of modern society, with the hope that it will restore solidarity, family, friendship, community, and harmony. However, this nihilistic state of mind has resulted in people violently castigating anyone who tries to restore calm and good sense to the conversation. The pandemic will be followed by a massive global but short recession that will probably last two quarters, but will be followed by a period of prosperity. The disruptive psychological effects of these health crises and the strain on interpersonal relationships will be felt long after the virus is gone, and possibly the greatest effect will be on the increasingly more atomized social fabric.
Borderline Woman: Partner Devaluation, Self-harm, Alcoholism
In summary, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the psychology of borderline women, focusing on splitting, self-destructive behaviors, and substance abuse. Splitting is an infantile defense mechanism that leads to idealization and devaluation of others. Self-destructive behaviors can include risky sexual encounters, reckless behavior, and defiance. Substance abuse, particularly alcohol, can serve as a coping mechanism for negative emotions, restore self-confidence, lower inhibitions, and allow for the accomplishment of goals that would not be considered when sober.
Borderline Triangulates with Rescuer to Silence Pain, Abandonment Anxiety
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and its similarities to narcissism. BPD is currently thought to be a female manifestation of secondary psychopathy and involves dissociation. Borderlines often have a diffuse identity and rely on their intimate partners to regulate their internal environment. They may engage in dysfunctional attachment strategies, such as running away or triangulation, and experience dissociation during sex or other emotionally intense situations.
Borderline Woman as Dissociative Secondary Psychopath
Borderline Personality Disorder and Psychopathy may not be as different as previously thought. Recent studies suggest that Borderline and Histrionic Personality Disorders may be manifestations of secondary type psychopathy in women. Survivors of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) also exhibit psychopathic and narcissistic behaviors. Borderline Personality Disorder can be described as a subspecies of Dissociative Identity Disorder, with mood lability and emotional dysregulation being outward manifestations of changes in self-states.
Porn: Addiction or Solution? (ENGLISH responses)
Porn addiction is similar to any other addiction, with a compulsive element that makes it difficult to quit. However, the lack of social stigma and adverse consequences associated with porn make it harder to quit. Narcissists who are addicted to porn may continue to engage in the behavior even after the anti-social component of their narcissism has diminished with age. As they age, they may escalate their sexual behavior to try to recapture the initial excitement, but they will never be able to recapture it.
Cold Therapy and Grandiosity of Psychology (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the prevalence of disrupted or atypical sexuality in narcissists and explains why traditional therapies are ineffective in treating narcissism. He emphasizes that narcissism should be treated as a post-traumatic condition using trauma-focused techniques and child psychology methods. He criticizes the resistance of the therapy community to adopt new knowledge and suggests that there is an overrepresentation of narcissists in the field.
Narcissist’s Sexual Deviance (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Narcissists are heavily disrupted when it comes to sexual differentiation and sexual identity, leading to unusual sexual practices. Narcissists are overrepresented in atypical sexual behavior and massively overrepresented in paraphilias. Fewer than 3% of narcissists have what is considered a conventional or normal sexual style, preference, or orientation. The frequency of incest among narcissists is well over 20%, compared to the general population, which is hundreds of times more.
Budapest Seminar: Cold Therapy (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)
Sam Vaknin discusses his Cold Therapy seminar, which teaches unique techniques and philosophy for treating narcissism and other mental health disorders. The seminar is open to anyone, but certification is reserved for professionals or those with practice. Cold Therapy breaks the narcissist down and rebuilds them, which can be a painful process, but it provides hope for previously intractable problems. While a narcissist would not attend the seminar, anyone with an interest in psychology could benefit from the cutting-edge techniques and philosophy taught.