Heal NPD

Do Narcissists ”Know What They’re Doing?”

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn discusses the topic of self-awareness in NPD. Numerous commenters have shared their belief that narcissists "know what they are doing"...that they are fully aware of the harm caused by their behaviors. Centering the conversation in the idea of mental illness, Dr. Ettensohn discusses the faulty attributions, skewed perceptions, and interpersonal deficits often associated with pathological narcissism and NPD.
The episode ends with an appeal to viewers to consume reasonable, moderate, nonpolarized perspectives on charged issues like NPD.
 
Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH
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Why Narcissists Lack Empathy

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn outline 4 reasons why empathy may be impaired in pathological narcissism and NPD:
1. Lack of self awareness 2. Objectification of the self and others 3. A 'starvation mindset' 4. Avoidant attachment styles
Dr. Ettensohn also discusses his disagreement with Dr. Ramani's ideas concerning empathy and NPD, as expressed in the following video on her channel: https://youtu.be/O7qxMu3nSLw
Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH
LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpum LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpca LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8
VISIT THE WEBSITE: https://www.drettensohn.com/
References: Ettensohn, M. D. (2013). The relational roots of narcissism: Exploring relationships between attachment style, acceptance by parents and peers, and measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 73(10-B(E)).

Illness Anxiety and NPD

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn explores the connection between illness anxiety and pathological narcissism. This episode explores how illness anxiety in NPD can be disguised anxiety about loss of self or psychological disintegration.
Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH
LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpumLISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpcaLISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8
VISIT THE WEBSITE: https://www.drettensohn.com/
References: Segal, H. (1957). Notes on Symbol Formation. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 38:391-397
Winnicott, D.W. (1974). Fear of breakdown. International Review of Psycho-analysis, 1: 103-107.

A Real Definition of Narcissistic Abuse

The term ‘narcissistic abuse’ has been, itself, heavily abused. Is has largely been a pop-psychology term that means different things depending on how and where it is used. It is often used to demonize individuals with pathological narcissism and NPD, who represent an at-risk population for depression, self-harm, and suicide. 
In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn provides a new definition for narcissistic abuse - one that is *actually* specific to pathological narcissism and NPD. This new definition is based on the psychodynamics of the disorder itself, and describes an inter-generational chain of emotional mistreatment that creates narcissistic pathology in children, who then grow up to use people in the same way that they, themselves, were used. 

Why Narcissists Feel Empty Inside

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn discusses the emptiness that individuals with pathological narcissism and NPD often experience using the concept of ‘Self as Object.’ 
Individuals with pathological narcissism and NPD often report having been treated as an object for someone else’s gratification in childhood. This early exploitation can cause profound disconnect from emotional authenticity, because it necessitates the development of false self adaptations to protect against overwhelming shame, envy, and rage. 
Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH
SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://rb.gy/kbhusfLISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpumLISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpcaLISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8
VISIT THE WEBSITE: https://www.drettensohn.com/

Social Anxiety and NPD

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn discusses the relationship between social anxiety and pathological narcissism and NPD, focusing on underlying fears of shame and humiliation, loss of self, and the legacy of relational trauma. The second half of the episode discusses general strategies for addressing social anxiety. References:
Sartre, J.P. (1964). Nausea. New Directions Publishing Corp. 

Malignant Narcissism

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn clarifies the concept of Malignant Narcissism, drawing on the model developed by theorist Otto Kernberg. Common misconceptions are dispelled. Object Relations Theory is used to discuss the origins of both NPD and Malignant Narcissism, highlighting developmental differences between each disorder.
Two meaning of malignant narcissism are discussed:
1. Malignant narcissism is a combination of narcissistic personality, antisocial traits, ego-syntonic sadism, and paranoid thinking that represents its own personality constellation distinct from Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
2. Malignant narcissism represents a phase or episode of narcissistic pathology in which repressed or split-off identifications with sadistic objects rise to the surface and become enacted in relationships. This is often due to loosening of grandiose defenses in psychotherapy.
Link to Episode discussing Borderline Personality Organization referenced in the video: https://youtu.be/ZZP6gAm5L6c
VISIT THE WEBSITE: https://www.drettensohn.com/
BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH
References:
Ettensohn, M.D. (2011). The relational roots of narcissism: Exploring relationships between attachment style, acceptance by parents and peers, and measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. (Doctoral dissertation).
Goldner-Vukov, M., & Moore, L. J. (2010). Malignant narcissism: From fairy tales to harsh reality. Psychiatria Danubina, 22(3), 392-405.
Kernberg, O. F. (1970). Factors in the psychoanalytic treatment of narcissistic personalities. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 18, 51-85.
Kernberg O.F. (1984). Severe Personality Disorders. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press

Getting Integrated

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn discusses the topic of integration. Pathological narcissism is a disorder in which different parts of the self are not well-integrated, creating large disparities and discontinuities in identity, self-image, and perception of others. This phenomenon is sometimes called "splitting," and is thought to be partly due to chronic relational trauma and neglect in early childhood. Dr. Ettensohn explains how this occurs and provides suggestions for beginning to approach life more wholistically. 
 
 

Recognizing Resiliency in NPD

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn discusses the importance of recognizing the resiliency of those who struggle with NPD and pathological narcissism. Each person's psychology is a story of survival. In our focus on deficits and pathologies, we often overlook the strength of the individual and the sometimes surprising and ingenious ways that they have found to survive. 
 
References:
Rogers, C. (1980). A way of being. Houghton Mifflin.
 
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Answering Questions About Therapy for NPD

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn addresses common questions about therapy for NPD, discussing the current lack of competent therapists, where to find therapists who understand narcissism, and why it isn't effective to treat NPD on your own. 
References: 
Blagys, M.D., & Hilsenroth, M.J. (2000). Distincitve activities of short-term psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy: A review of the comparative psychotherapy process literature. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 7, 167-188.
Johnson, S. M. (1987). Humanizing the narcissistic style. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Shedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Psychologist, 65(2), 98-109
Ulberg, R., & Hanne-Sofie, JD. (2018). Empirical support for the psychoanalytic concepts. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(7), 543-544
Music: www.bensound.com