In this video, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of narcissistic modification, which is the total disintegration of a narcissist’s defenses, including their false self. He explains that inducing mortification in a narcissist can be useful in preventing them from
The text is a critique of the self-help industry, debunking common myths perpetuated by self-help gurus. The myths include the belief that people can learn from their mistakes, that change is possible at any age, that trauma is an objective
Celebrities serve as mythical narratives and blank screens for fans to project their emotions onto. When celebrities deviate from these roles, it can provoke rage from fans. Celebrities who are narcissists use their false self to elicit constant attention and
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, stating that he will not comment on it as it is gossip and not academic. He criticizes mental health experts who have appeared on behalf of both parties, calling
Narcissists experience three types of depression: loss-induced dysphoria, deficiency-induced dysphoria, and self-worth dysregulation dysphoria. Loss-induced dysphoria occurs when sources of narcissistic supply gradually fade away, while deficiency-induced dysphoria is an acute response to abrupt loss of supply. Self-worth dysregulation dysphoria
Self-destructive behaviors are common and often go unnoticed. These behaviors can be a rejection of life or a rejection of oneself in life. Examples of self-destructive behaviors include constricting life, love addiction, perfectionism, self-denial, depression, anxiety, numbing, dissociation, and masochism.
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses self-defeating and self-destructive behaviors, including life constriction, depression, emotional numbing, dissociation, masochism, and insecure attachment. He explores the connection between introversion and clinical depression, as well as the impact of trauma on personality disorders. Vaknin also
In this video, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses personal growth, psychological development, and maturation. He talks about various directions in the future of psychology, neuroscience, and technology that will allow people to evolve much more rapidly and thrive in difficult environments.
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the controversies in modern psychology, the concept of self, and the formation of self-states through dissociation in infancy. He explains that healthy individuals have adaptive self-states that change in reaction to the environment, while those with
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the collapse of narcissists when they are unable to obtain supply. He explains the internal dynamics and various solutions narcissists adopt in response to this deficiency, such as delusional narratives, antisocial behavior, paranoid schizoid tendencies, and
Sam Vaknin is best known for his work on narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). He gained prominence as the author of the book “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited,” in which he explores narcissism, particularly malignant narcissism, from both personal and clinical perspectives. Vaknin has claimed to be a narcissist himself, and his work is often written from an insider’s viewpoint.
He’s also known for:
Being controversial: He’s not a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, which has drawn criticism from mental health professionals.
YouTube and interviews: He has a strong online presence, especially on YouTube, where he discusses psychology, narcissism, relationships, and sometimes geopolitics.
Academic affiliations: He has served as a visiting professor and lecturer in various universities, particularly in Eastern Europe.
His insights have been influential in popular discussions about narcissism, though they’re often debated in clinical circles.
Vaknin Talks
Great Reset: True Healing Only After Hitting Rock Bottom (with Vera Faria Leal)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting its historical, religious, and economic dimensions. He emphasizes the intractability of the conflict and the lack of compromise due to the intertwining of religious, nationalistic, and economic factors.
Vaknin also delves into the psychological underpinnings of the conflict, discussing narcissism, victimhood, and the need for a collective crucifixion or apocalypse to bring about transformation.
He stresses the importance of philosophers, psychoanalysts, and psychologists in the negotiation process and advocates for a shift towards communitarianism as a potential solution.
How Narcissists, Psychopaths Shot Themselves in the Foot (Ecosystem, Predator-Prey, Victimhood)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the evolution of narcissists and psychopaths in targeting victims and how they have adapted their strategies to the changing times.
He explains how the growing awareness of narcissistic abuse has made it more difficult for predators to find victims, leading them to transition from hunting individuals to targeting groups and reshaping society to create an environment conducive to their behavior.
This has resulted in a binary ecosystem where individuals are forced to choose between being predators or prey, leading to the rise of victimhood movements and paranoia. However, this has also created an imbalance between the number of predators and prey, as well as a situation where victims seek out abusers, ultimately backfiring on the narcissists and psychopaths.
Why You Buy Into Narcissist’s Simulated Existence
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the nature of narcissists, likening them to computer programs or artificial intelligence.
He explains that the narcissist’s ability to mimic human behavior does not make them truly human, and they lack empathy and positive emotions. Vaknin describes how narcissists manipulate and deceive others by triggering internal processes, reorganizing their minds, and using attribution errors.
He attributes the narcissist’s behavior to early childhood abuse and trauma, suggesting that they are the product of their environment and genetic predisposition.
Narcissist Female Bosses Outbest Male Narcissist CEOs
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the prevalence of narcissism in corporate leadership, particularly focusing on the performance of narcissistic female chief executive officers.
He highlights a study that suggests narcissistic female CEOs outperform their male counterparts and that their narcissism is associated with improved company performance.
The study also suggests that female CEOs are able to suppress the dark side of narcissism and leverage traits such as empathy and networking, leading to superior corporate outcomes. Additionally, the lecture touches on the impact of narcissistic tendencies of chief financial officers on corporate digital transformation, suggesting that narcissism in upper management may be a beneficial corporate asset.
Narcissist Stalks Your Dreams, Nightmares
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of lucid dreaming and its application to the narcissist’s shared fantasy.
He explains how the narcissist manipulates and entrains the victim into the shared fantasy, triggering repressed memories and emotional release.
The lecture delves into the psychological impact of the shared fantasy, the role of dreams in processing trauma, and the brain’s response to threats and stress during sleep. Vaknin emphasizes the importance of paying attention to nightmares and dreams as they may provide insight and self-awareness to help individuals navigate the shared fantasy.
Mental Illness, Left and Right with Prof. Ed Dutton, Jolly Heretic
Professor Sam Vaknin, an expert on narcissism and diagnosed narcissist, discussed various aspects of narcissism, including its nature, types, and prevalence in society.
He explained that narcissism is characterized by an absence of true self, replaced by a false self that acts as an imaginary friend or deity.
Vaknin also touched on the differences between overt and covert narcissism, the concept of psychopathic narcissism, and the societal and cultural shifts that have led to an increase in narcissistic traits.
Additionally, he addressed the impact of social media on narcissism and the importance of addressing the conflict between men and women as a critical issue for society.
Privatized Empathy and Cowardly Public “Intellectuals”
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the decline of empathy in society, particularly among public intellectuals who prioritize self-interest, power, and manipulation over compassion and care for others. He identifies four groups of intellectuals in Macedonia, including the fearful, the self-interested, the territorial, and the malignantly romantic.
He attributes the behavior of intellectuals in the Balkans, including Macedonia, to the influence of Marxism, socialism, and communism, which redefined the role of intellectuals as leaders and co-opted them into the power machine.
Ultimately, he argues that intellectuals in Macedonia have betrayed their role in invigorating the nation and integrating society and culture into global trends.