Is Narcissism Like Bipolar or Depression, Mood Disorder? (Addiction, Depression, Suicide, Webinar)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the relationship between narcissism and depression, particularly in the context of the pandemic. He delves into the distinctions between bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, highlighting their differences in symptoms and behaviors. Vaknin also explores various types of dysphoria experienced by narcissists, and the complex interplay between depression, anxiety, and narcissistic traits. He emphasizes the need for accurate diagnosis and understanding of these conditions.
Narcissist Sees You As TWO WOMEN Reframing Mortifications, Exiting Shared Fantasy
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the narcissist’s view of their partner, the impact of cheating in relationships with narcissists, and the connection between moral and visceral disgust. He also delves into the role of the brain in processing these emotions and the potential impact on relationships with narcissists.
Addiction is Healthy, Addicts Are Not (and Narcissism) (3rd Intl. Conf. on Addiction and Psychiatry)
Addictions are a natural part of human life and serve evolutionary purposes, with the brain being designed to create and perpetuate them. However, when taken to extremes, addictions can become self-destructive and harmful. Current treatment methods for addiction are largely unsuccessful, with high relapse rates. Instead of trying to eradicate addiction, treatment should focus on teaching individuals how to manage and regulate their addictive behaviors in a healthy and responsible manner.
Normal? Mentally Ill? Not in My Culture!
Mental health diagnoses and treatments are influenced by culture and societal norms, which change over time. Examples include the zar, a culture-bound syndrome in Africa, where people believe they are possessed by demons, and homosexuality, which was considered a mental illness in the West until 1980. The concept of mental health is evolving as society becomes more accepting of diverse behaviors and orientations. This raises questions about the validity of certain mental health diagnoses and whether they are truly illnesses or simply society’s judgment of certain people.
Dr. Vaknin Experiments on Human Subjects (aka Students)
The professor discusses the concept of shared psychosis and how it is impossible to convince someone or a group that a hallucination is not real. He uses an example of two people feeling wet to explain that people cannot know if they experience things the same way. The professor concludes that people are not identical machines and that it is impossible to know if someone experiences things the same way as you do.
Narcissist Is Your Dark Side You Envy Him, Want To Be Like Him
Professor Vaknin discusses the concepts of projection and reaction formation in the context of narcissism. He delves into the works of Freud, Jung, and other psychologists to explore how individuals project their own undesirable traits onto others and react to similarities with aggression and envy. He also touches on the dynamics of intimacy and conflict between closely related populations.
Narcissist’s Psychosexuality: Deviant Pervert or Just Kinky Fun?
Narcissists are auto-erotic and focused on themselves as the source of pleasure. Their sexuality is often stunted and thwarted, with somatic narcissists flaunting their conquests and cerebral narcissists often being celibate. Narcissists have highly specific fetishes and are very particular about their preferences. The risk of incest and active pedophilia is higher with narcissists and psychopaths due to their lack of impulse control, boundaries, and obedience to rules.
Two Faces Of Narcissistic Abuse Disrespect From Shared Fantasy To Bargaining
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dynamics of narcissistic abuse, including the two phases of the shared fantasy and bargaining phase. He explains how narcissists use stickiness to create a shared fantasy with their targets and then extract adulation, abuse, sex, and services. Vaknin also highlights the differences between narcissists and psychopaths and concludes that narcissistic abuse is a choice and a stupid one at that.
Narcissist: Private God, Missionary Religion, Global Faith
Professor Sam Vaknin argues that narcissism is a new religion that will overtake traditional religions in the future. He believes that narcissism is a spectrum, with healthy narcissism being necessary for personal growth and development. However, when narcissism remains infantile and does not mature, it becomes pathological. Vaknin also claims that the rise of social media and the internet has created a networked, post-modern religion of narcissism, where individuals create their own gods and worship themselves.
Narcissistic Buffet Answering Your Questions ( Well, Sort Of)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses various topics in this section, including his message of “nothingness,” the fear of success, shadow banning, the Hallow Effect, and the controversy surrounding IQ tests. He also talks about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, which revealed that traumatic life experiences during childhood and adolescence are much more common than previously thought and linked childhood trauma with health and social problems in adulthood. The study also found that addiction and obesity are solutions, not problems, and that child abuse is the greatest medical issue in the world. The professor emphasizes the importance of protecting children from adverse influences and the critical role of mothers in personal development and growth in the first two years of life.