Loner’s Psychology: Mystery of Schizoid Personality (Intro to 6 Hour SEMINAR, link in description)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the schizoid personality in a nearly six-hour seminar, emphasizing the rationality of choosing a solitary lifestyle. He explores the overlap between narcissistic and schizoid behaviors, and the challenges and misconceptions in relationships with schizoids. The seminar delves into the impact of schizoid behavior on others and the potential attraction of schizoids to individuals with certain attachment styles and mental health pathologies. Vaknin also highlights the role of the schizoid personality as a bridge between psychotic and personality disorders.
Narcissist’s 8 Life Failures (Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of ego in psychoanalytic theory and its role in interfacing with reality. He explains the eight stages of psychosocial development proposed by Erik Erikson and applies them to narcissism, highlighting how narcissists fail to develop a cohesive identity and struggle with intimacy, creativity, and self-actualization. Ultimately, narcissists approach old age with despair, mourning their unfulfilled potential.
Fascism is Political Malignant Narcissism (Brussels Morning)
Sam Vaknin discusses the accusation that Donald Trump is leading the United States towards fascism. He argues that it is important to address narcissists in politics and prevent them from attaining power. Vaknin delves into the characteristics and tensions within fascist movements, and concludes that Trump exhibits traits of a fascist.
Shy/Quiet Borderline “Diagnosis”, Reality vs. Phantasy/Fantasy
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the book “A Little Life” and emphasizes the importance of relying on scientific evidence rather than personal anecdotes. He rejects the proposed diagnosis of “shy or quiet borderline” and explains the differences between narcissistic and borderline fantasies. He also delves into the psychodynamics of narcissistic and borderline personality disorders, highlighting their distinct etiologies and behaviors.
Narcissistic Abuse Inside Out: Charles Bowes-Taylor Interviews Compilation
Sam Vaknin discusses his work on narcissism, emphasizing that he is not the originator of the term “narcissistic supply,” but he has redefined and adopted terms from other psychological disciplines to describe narcissism and narcissistic abuse. He explains that narcissists lack a true self and ego, relying on external input to regulate their internal environment and self-perception. Vaknin also describes narcissism as a positive adaptation in modern society, where narcissistic traits can lead to favorable outcomes. He distinguishes between overt and covert narcissism, explaining that covert narcissists are more dangerous due to their hidden nature and passive-aggressive tendencies. Vaknin suggests that narcissism is not just a personality disorder but also a post-traumatic condition and a form of dissociation, similar to multiple personality disorder. He advocates for treating narcissism with approaches used for childhood disorders, trauma-related disorders, and multiple personality disorders, which he has integrated into his cold therapy treatment.
Is your DATE a NARCISSIST? (EXCERPT with Conor Ryan, Eyes Wide Open Podcast)
Trust your instincts and observe the man’s behavior for signs of narcissism, such as boundary breaches, controlling behavior, and rapid relationship progression. Pay attention to how he treats others and his speech patterns. Narcissists create a shared fantasy and regress their partners to a dependent state. Women have caught up with men in exhibiting narcissistic traits, and female narcissists may also display histrionic behavior.
Narcissistic Parents Possessive: Envy, Destroy Their Children, Offspring
Narcissistic parents view their children as extensions of themselves and seek to control and manipulate them to fulfill their own needs. This can lead to children feeling insecure, codependent, and prone to repeating dysfunctional relationship patterns as adults. Narcissistic parents may interfere with their children’s love lives and sabotage their relationships to maintain control and a constant supply of admiration and attention. The impact of narcissistic parenting can be profound and long-lasting, affecting the child’s sense of self and ability to form healthy relationships.
Hallucinatory Payback for Narcissist’s Real Mother (with psychotherapist and author Kathleen Saxton)
Professor Vaknin discussed the rise in narcissism and comorbidity with other mental health issues. He explained that narcissism is a personality disorder with various manifestations and that there is a new approach to understanding personality disorders. He also addressed the correlation between covert narcissism and avoidant personality type, the impact of trauma bonding, and the characteristics of individuals attracted to narcissists. Additionally, he emphasized the need to understand covert states in various personality disorders and the importance of checking credentials in the field of psychology.
Narcissism: A Talk Across the Generations (with Nicolas Martin)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his expertise in narcissistic personality disorder, the interconnectedness of personality disorders, the impact of trauma on personality development, the influence of philosophers and psychologists on his thinking, the rise of narcissistic tendencies in modern society, the impact of digitalization on mental health, the relationship between psychology and politics, the future of psychology, and advice for young psychologists. He also shares his views on the possibility of a third world war and the direction of the field of psychology.
How Trauma Destroys Your Sense of Self (PTSD Literature Review)
Neuroscience studies support the idea that narcissistic and borderline personality disorders are post-traumatic conditions due to disruptions in the formation of the self. Trauma, especially in early childhood, leads to dissociation, depersonalization, and derealization, affecting the sense of self. The default mode network in the brain is implicated in these disruptions. PTSD and CPTSD are reactions to single or repeated traumatic events, with EMDR and cognitive behavior therapy as recommended treatments. Medication options for PTSD include paroxetine, sertraline, and alpha 2 receptor antagonists, while benzodiazepines and certain other drugs are not recommended.