Lamenting the New Normal (with Megan Fox, The Fringe)
Sam Vaknin, a professor of psychology and economics, discusses the misuse of psychological disorders in family courts and the rise of narcissism and psychopathy in society. He also addresses the lack of expertise in certain fields, the impact of victimhood on individuals, and the intersectionality of abuse. He emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and accountability.
Women, We Miss You, Please Come Back! Signed: Your Men
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the changing roles of men and women in society. He argues that women are becoming the new men, as they are more educated, employable, and have skills that are more relevant to the postmodern world. However, he also notes that women are beginning to phase men out, outsourcing their needs to other women or technology. Vaknin observes that younger generations of women are emulating psychopathic bullies and predators, which threatens the existence of the species. He urges women not to give up on men, as the majority are good, helpful, and supportive.
Right to Suicide: Teen, Adult, State, Prevention (2nd Webinar on Mental Health and Suicidal Risk)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the link between social media and teen suicide, stating that social media platforms are designed to be addictive and can lead to withdrawal symptoms and self-destructive behavior. He argues that suicide is a personal choice and should not be limited by the state, but society should focus on addressing loneliness and disconnection to help prevent it. Vaknin emphasizes that suicide is a symptom of a social disease, not an individual act, and should be treated as such.
Hijacked by Fantasies in Cluster B (Intl. Conference on Psychiatry and Mental Health, May 2021)
Fantasy is a powerful psychological defense mechanism that can lead to mental health issues when it becomes malignant and all-pervasive. In small doses, fantasies can be healthy and help individuals cope with frustrating or intimidating environments. However, when fantasies become entrenched and hijack an individual’s emotions, cognitions, memories, and identity, they can impair reality testing and lead to dysfunction. In extreme cases, individuals with Cluster B personality disorders, such as narcissistic and borderline personality disorders, may experience a confusion between internal and external objects, leading to a state that is close to psychosis.
Where Have All the Wo/Men Gone?
Professor Sam Vaknin argues that women have become increasingly narcissistic and psychopathic due to their newfound powers and liberation, leading to a collective pathology. This has resulted in a mass psychopathology that is causing terrifying numbers of suicide rates, depression, and anxiety. Vaknin suggests that we need to acknowledge the truth about casual sex and stop being politically correct to confront the issues bravely and courageously. He believes that we need to rewrite the sexual scripts and restore distinct, clear, and boundaried gender roles to save ourselves from the collapsing gender roles that brought the narcissism pandemic and now the borderline secondary psychopathy pandemic.
Collective Narcissism and Its Leaders: Case of Macedonia (with Nikola Ristevski)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his doctoral thesis, which aimed to rewrite physics using a minimal language. He also talks about his involvement in Macedonia, where he worked as an economic advisor to the government and helped set up the stock exchange and privatization. In addition, he discusses the influence of emotional vulnerability on leaders and how it can create contagion and infect the whole nation. Finally, he discusses the political situation in Macedonia, describing political parties as networks of patronage and clientele, and advises young Macedonians to create a parallel state, opting out of existing power structures and establishing their own power structures.
Is Depression Healthy? (2nd Webinar on Depression Management, May 2021)
Depression is a positively adaptive, appropriate response to stressful or dystopian environments, and questioning whether it is wise to quell, intervene, suppress, or eliminate depression is a positive thing. Depression has arisen through an evolutionary process and fulfills critical functions. Depression is context-dependent, and the approach to mental illnesses should be dimensional. Depression is an alarm signal, involves catastrophizing, allows for mourning and grieving, restores reality testing, provides emotional release, allows for the economization of energy, allows for the rebuilding of shattered psychological defense mechanisms, and allows for the reconstitution of the self. We should intervene in depression only when there is suicidal ideation, never before, never otherwise.
Hookups Trap: Bad Sex, Female Raw Deal (Literature Review)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the cultural shift from traditional dating to the prevalence of casual sexual encounters, known as hookups, among young adults, particularly in college settings. He highlights the psychological and emotional consequences of such encounters, including feelings of regret, shame, and increased rates of depression and anxiety. Vaknin also points out the role of alcohol and drug use in facilitating hookups and the discrepancy between the actual desires for intimacy and the behaviors exhibited due to peer pressure and societal expectations. He warns of the potential long-term negative impacts on mental health and relationship formation.
Masochism: Borderlines, Psychopaths Self-trash
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses sexual masochism among people with borderline personality disorder and psychopathy. He explains that sexual masochism is a form of self-trashing and describes four types of sexual contexts that lead to trashing and sexual arousal. Borderlines and psychopaths engage in cheating, substance abuse, and choosing inappropriate mates as ways of self-trashing that cause sexual arousal. Self-trashing is compulsive and masochistic, while promiscuity is impulsive and empowering.
Loving the Borderline in Her Fantasy
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the love life, sexual fantasies, and relationships of borderline women, as well as the connection between borderline personality disorder and promiscuity. He delves into the origins and manifestations of the disorder, including its link to childhood trauma and heredity. Vaknin also explores the impact of these dynamics on relationships and the potential for resonance or exacerbation of pathologies in such pairings.