Why Narcissist Happy, Depressed, Remorseful? Plus Boredom
Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of effective ambivalence, where individuals with personality disorders experience contradictory moods simultaneously. He explains that narcissists, as well as individuals with other personality disorders, can be both happy and depressed at the same time due to their fragmented self-states. He also delves into the topic of boredom and its relationship to overstimulation, as well as the coping strategies and defenses used by Western civilization to combat boredom.
Be Survivor: Victim Mentality Bad For You!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of victimhood and victim mentality. He explains that while it is important to acknowledge the harrowing experience of victimhood, it becomes manipulative and pernicious when it becomes an ideology or a profession. He delves into the psychological aspects of victim mentality, including the need for recognition, moral elitism, and rumination. Vaknin also highlights the detrimental effects of perpetuating victimhood and the importance of transitioning to a non-victim stance. He emphasizes the need to acknowledge agency and avoid getting stuck in the role of a victim.
Caught in a Drama Triangle or Real Victim?
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the drama triangle, a social model of destructive interaction among people in conflict. He explains the roles of persecutors, victims, and rescuers, and how individuals can shift between these roles. Vaknin also delves into the concept of learned helplessness and its connection to victimhood, as well as the fundamental attribution error and the Just World Phenomenon. He emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility and avoiding perpetuating a victim mentality.
Pathologizing Vulnerable, Normalizing Power: Where Psychologists Fear to Tread
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the blurred lines between delusion and belief, and the reluctance of psychologists to pathologize certain behaviors, such as religious beliefs and conspiracy theories. He questions the integrity of the profession and the DSM, highlighting the gender bias in pathologizing certain personality traits and the fear of confronting powerful groups. Vaknin also criticizes the opportunistic nature of psychology and psychiatry, and the lack of transparency in the inclusion and exclusion of diagnoses in the DSM.
YOUR LOVE, Intimacy FEARED: Narcissist’s Perfectionism, Envy
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the narcissist’s hatred towards others and how it is linked to perfectionism. The narcissist’s fear of failure drives them to be perfect, and they believe they are infallible. The narcissist idealizes only internal objects and internalizes external objects to eliminate competition. In this section, Professor Sam Vaknin explains that the narcissist believes they are the only good object in the world and that they have internalized this object. Therefore, they do not need to envy anyone else. The narcissist becomes immune to envy and talks to their envy, telling it not to direct itself at them because they are the good object.
Pseudoidentities in Cluster B Personality Disorders: Spectacle and Simulacra
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of pseudo-identities in Cluster B personality disorders. He explains the differences between primary and secondary psychopaths and the transitions between overt and covert states in these disorders. He also delves into the concepts of identity confusion, identity disturbance, and identity diffusion, drawing on the work of various scholars and researchers in the field. Additionally, he explores the ideas of simulacrum and spectacle in relation to identity development.
Covert Borderline Predicted: Standard Model of Personality Disorders (McGill University)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the differences between the classic and covert borderline personality disorders. The covert borderline internalizes their struggles, while the classic externalizes them. The covert is sadistic, punitive, goal-oriented, and may engage in triangulation, while the classic engages in triangulation to restore relationships or please people. The covert is preoccupied with appearances, while the classic is preoccupied with boredom and has an aesthetic taste. The covert borderline may be an activist and has apparent enthusiasm for socio-political affairs, while the classic couldn’t care less and is a pathological liar.
Narcissism Shapeshifting Camouflage: Conceals Other Disorders (University Lecture)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of narcissism as a spectrum of behaviors and traits, united by specific factors. He argues that narcissism is not a specific disorder, but rather a reactive process that can be attached to other mental health issues. He also explores the idea that narcissism is a survival mechanism and a positive adaptation in extreme situations. Additionally, he delves into the concept of narcissistic defenses and their role in coping with mental illness and trauma.
12 Treatments for Narcissists, Other Cluster B Personality Disorders (Borderlines, Psychopaths)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses various psychotherapies, including behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and the third wave of behavioral therapy, which combines cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with other elements. He also talks about psychodynamic therapies, which reject the idea that cognition can influence emotion. Vaknin explains that no known therapy is effective with narcissism itself, but many therapies are effective at modifying the behaviors of the narcissist. He notes that narcissists are notoriously unsuitable for collaborative efforts of any kind and are the most difficult patients in therapy.
Social Media Turn Sinister: We, Orphaned Adolescents, Should Rebel
Professor Sam Vaknin criticizes YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for their censorship and manipulation of content, claiming they are fostering confirmation bias and undermining free speech. He argues that these platforms are monopolies that should be regulated and broken up. Vaknin also accuses social media platforms of infantilizing users and promoting narcissism, while suppressing dissenting voices. He warns that the suppression of free speech could lead to violence and calls for peaceful resistance against social media platforms.