How Narcissist Borderline Child Experiences World
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the development of narcissistic and borderline personalities in children, focusing on the impact of parental behavior on the child’s perception of self and others. He delves into the concepts of primary narcissism, object splitting, and the role of the mother in shaping the child’s psyche. Vaknin also explores the theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, highlighting their perspectives on narcissism, introversion, and the shadow self.
Why You Can’t Stop Thinking: Obsessional Neurosis
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses obsessional neurosis and its connection to dissociation and self-destructiveness. Obsessions and compulsions are linked to traumatic events, and the mind develops a defense against the trauma, which gives rise to the obsession. Obsession and compulsion are a form of displacement, and they are perceived as beneficial because they restore the sense of control and create a fixed, dependable, reliable point in the obsessed person’s life. The opposite of addiction and obsession is connection to oneself and others.
Your Unconscious, Fantasies Not Narcissist’s
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of the unconscious in psychology, including different schools of thought and Freud’s trilateral model of the mind. He explains that the unconscious is a language and a public dimension formed by input and feedback from others. Vaknin also discusses the role of fantasy in narcissism, with narcissists being slaves to their own fantasies and inhabiting them more than their victims. Fantasy is a language and a bridge between consciousness and the unconscious, but in narcissism, it takes elements from consciousness and renders them unconscious.
Sex Addiction, Hypersexuality, Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder ( CSBD)
Sex addiction is a real clinical entity, but it is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. It is not the same as promiscuity, as sex addicts often have certain standards and are not indiscriminate in their sexual partner selection. Sex addiction is a compulsion, and many sex addicts are celibate or masturbate excessively. The root of sex addiction is not fully understood, but it is linked to shame and early traumatic experiences. There is no good treatment, and the prognosis is poor.
You Don’t Deserve To Be Happy, Loved ( Bad Object)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of the “bad object” and its impact on individuals’ self-perception and behavior. He delves into the role of harsh inner critics and how they instill feelings of unworthiness and self-loathing. Vaknin also explores how individuals may reject happiness and embrace misery due to the influence of the bad object, leading to self-sabotaging, self-defeating, and self-destructive behaviors. Additionally, he examines the connection between masochism and narcissism, as well as the emotional investment and catharsis in narcissistic individuals.
Cold Therapy Seminar BOOTLEG: Introduction Lecture
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his approach to treating narcissistic personality disorder through a method he developed called “cold therapy.” He argues that traditional therapies fail with narcissists because they treat them as adults, whereas narcissists are emotionally akin to 18-month-old children. Vaknin’s cold therapy involves retraumatizing the patient in a controlled environment to break through their defenses and induce change. He acknowledges the risks and ethical concerns of his method, which can lead to decompensation and even psychotic states in patients. Vaknin emphasizes that cold therapy is not a cure but can eliminate the need for grandiosity and the false self in narcissists. He also notes that only patients who have hit rock bottom are suitable for this therapy.
Your Introjects (Inner Voices) are NOT YOU!
The internal objects, introjects, and voices that populate your inner world are not a part of your core identity, but rather a kind of attribution error. These voices are triggered by circumstances and events in your life, but they are not your identity. Silencing the introjects does have an effect on your behavior and choices, but it doesn’t have an effect on who you are. Therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy, schema therapy, and Gestalt therapy can help silence these introjects and remove them, leaving your authentic self.
Sexual Identity Is Not Sexual Orientation
Sexual identity is different from sexual orientation. Sexual identity is how one perceives oneself sexually, while sexual orientation is about others and involves object relations. Sexual identity is formed in five stages: introjection, emulation, empathy, exploration, and sublimation. A disruption in any of these stages can lead to psychological problems and dysfunctions. Narcissists and borderlines are a perfect match because the borderline needs a partner who would at first idealize her and then discard her, and the narcissist needs to hoover and re-idealize their discarded partners.
Why Self-less Narcissist Can Never Love YOU (His Enemy)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concepts of object constancy and introject constancy, drawing from Freud’s theories and his own work on narcissism. He explains how introject constancy differs from object constancy and how it relates to narcissistic personality disorder. Vaknin also introduces the idea of introject libido and its role in the narcissist’s internal world. He emphasizes the importance of emotional investment in internal objects and the impact on the narcissist’s relationships.
Reaction Formation: Why White Supremacists Attack LGBTQIA+
Reaction formation is a psychological defense mechanism where individuals behave in a way that denies their hidden feelings and motivations, which they find unacceptable. This defense mechanism is often exaggerated, compulsive, and intended to overcompensate for anxiety related to socially unacceptable thoughts and emotions. Reaction formation is commonly seen in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, paranoia, and social activists with high narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies. To help someone with reaction formation, it is important to provide a supportive environment, legitimize their true feelings, and show them that their real feelings are more socially acceptable than their reaction formation behaviors.