Key Points Many narcissists begin their relationships by showering their partner with affection. Later, they shut down intimacy and become abusive. The narcissist’s pattern of intermittent reinforcement keeps their partner attached to them. It’s not easy for a partner to…
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is one of 10 clinically recognized personality disorders described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), along with antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and others. Please…
You know at least one narcissist or manipulator in your workplace. In my book, Manipulation: Identifying Emotionally Abusive and Manipulative People—and Breaking Free , I devote an entire chapter to how these professional manipulators can turn your workplace (and you)…
This is the first in a series. Names have been changed to protect individuals’ privacy. “There is nothing more deceptive than the appearance of modesty,” Darcy said. “It is often just a neglect of opinion, and sometimes a disinterested boast.”…
On the surface, narcissists may appear charming, intelligent, and caring—they know how to lure and seduce their way back into your life. But once they lure you back in, they revert to their selfish selves. Their motto will always be…
On the first day of my clinical training, decades ago, a mentally ill woman ran up to me in a psychiatric ward and excitedly told me that she was the current wife of President John F. Kennedy. This was 11…
Before exploring the relationship between narcissism and aversion to feeling emotionally indebted to others, it is important to first note that narcissism, a set of specific personality traits, exists on a spectrum. While one person may exhibit some of the…
The word narcissist gets thrown around a lot these days, in part because of our selfie-driven world. Social media has given everyone a pass to say “look at me,” and swipe culture has turned people into salad dressing: You can…
Key Points Secure attachment is the foundation of relational trust and healthy psychological and emotional development. Children of narcissists often suffer from relational trauma and insecure attachment.Narcissism and self-abandonment are common responses to narcissistic parenting. “In order to prevent tyranny,…
Narcissism seems to be rampant in our society these days, with many harmful consequences for relationships. The Oxford Dictionary defines narcissism as “selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration, as characteristics of…
