In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) reveal the complex, dangerous, and often misdiagnosed Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). We discuss the rising prevalence of PPD in the post-pandemic world, the clinical challenges in identifying and treating these individuals, and the critical differences between Paranoid Personalities and narcissism. We believe you’re seeing more of these types in your circles as well, and we want you to be equipped with knowledge so you can best protect yourself! Thus, we unpack not only the DSM-5-TR characteristics of Paranoid Personality Disorder, but we also reveal our clinical experience with these types. We include common themes such as: lack of trust, severe gastrointestinal issues, sadomasochism, medical self-sabotage, shedding identities, and the paranoid character’s unique relationship with aggression towards the same-sex. We reveal why we think this type is popping up even more in our circles, what the pandemic had to do with it, and how you can identify these types to keep yourself safe!

Chapters 00:00 Intro & Dangers of the Paranoid Personality 04:10 Clinical Observations & Post-Pandemic Trends 08:20 Defining Paranoid Personality Disorder 16:35 Warning Signs of PPD Beyond the DSM 27:00 Comparing Paranoid Personality and Narcissism 29:25 Why the Post-Pandemic Narcissist?

In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unveil the darkest aspects of personality, focusing on narcissism at its most severe forms. We explore the spectrum of personality types that range from mildly unpleasant to dangerously malignant, discussing examples and case studies that illustrate their risk in relationships. We specifically unpack narcissistic and paranoid personality disorders, malignant narcissism, antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy and sociopathy, and sadistic personalities. While further exploring the characteristics, overlaps, and distinctions among these disorders, we end with a discussion about terrorism and extreme manifestations of sadism.

Chapters 01:02 Stone’s Spectrum of Darkness 01:23 Level 1: Negative Traits 04:35 Level 2: Narcissistic & Paranoid Personality Disorders 07:23 Paranoid Personality Disorder 10:48 Level 3: Malignant Narcissism 13:47 Level 4: Antisocial Personality Disorder 15:08 Antisocial vs Narcissistic Personality Disorder 17:24 Antisocial Personality vs Psychopath 18:38 Level 5: Psychopathy 21:27 Level 6: Sadistic Personalities 28:54 Summary & Closing

In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the dangerous dynamics of malignant narcissism in political leadership. We first explore how these leaders rise to power, the psychological factors that enable their ascent, and the societal conditions that make populations susceptible to their charm. We introduce the narcoticizing and honeymoon phases of their reign where the malignant charmer woos their adoring audience. We then explore the characteristics that define malignant narcissist leaders, including how they navigate crises, the corruptibility of their conscience, and their devolution into psychotic thought processes. Further expounding on the dangers of their paranoia and their need for enemies, we share how no one escapes unscathed from these types in leadership. Our discussion concludes with reflections about the aftermath of the malignant narcissist’s reign, and the recovery and healing process from the trauma they inflict.

Chapters 00:00 Intro to Malignant Narcissism in Leadership 02:56 Factors Enabling their Rise to Power 06:51 The Appeal of the Authoritarian Leader 08:46 The Narcoticizing Phase 11:13 The Honeymoon Phase 13:56 Characteristics of Malignant Narcissist Leaders 17:24 Decision Making and Crises 20:30 Corruptible Conscience 21:08 Paranoia and Psychosis in Power 24:20 The Need for Enemies 27:04 Life Cycle and End of their Reign 33:21 Rising from the Ashes of Narcissism

In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complex and dark characteristics of malignant narcissism, exploring its origins, characteristics, and using examples from popular culture, particularly the film 'American Psycho'. Citing Eric Fromm’s original work on defining evil, we discuss his triad of: necrophilious orientation, incestuous symbiosis, and malignant narcissism. Using connections to historical figures and Alfred Hitchcock's ‘Psycho,’ we briefly explore what this triad looks like. After drawing on research across the decades to define characteristics of malignant narcissism, we further discuss the spectrum of antisocial behavior, aggression, sadism, and paranoia prominent in these types. While discussing how malignant narcissists operate in personal relationships and positions of power, we end by exploring the overlap of malignant narcissism and psychopathy.

Chapters 00:41 History of Malignant Narcissism's Path to Evil 01:16 Fromm's Triad of Evil Overview 03:35 Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho Example 06:23 Early Research on Malignant Narcissism 09:24 The 4 Characteristics of Malignant Narcissism 09:43 Symptom 1: Narcissistic Core 12:36 Symptom 2: Antisocial Behavior 14:27 Malignant Narcissism vs Antisocial Personality Disorder 16:25 Symptom 3: Sadism or Aggression 21:58 Malignant Narcissism in Relationships 23:01 Symptom 4: Paranoia and Verge of Psychosis 25:02 Malignant Narcissism vs. Psychopathy 26:41 Where We Find Them and Why We Follow Them

In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the tricky topic of communal narcissism, exploring its characteristics, behaviors, and the environments in which these individuals thrive. We discuss the distinction between agentic and communal traits, the illusion of selflessness, and how communal narcissists often deceive themselves and others. We further highlight the presence of communal narcissism in charities, social media, and religious organizations. By examining the darker aspects of this personality type, we discuss insights about collective narcissism and the potential for harmful group dynamics. The episode concludes with insights on recognizing communal narcissism in relationships and its correlation with wealth and power.

Chapters 00:00 Intro & History of Communal Narcissism 03:40 What is Communal Narcissism? 05:39 Where Communal Narcissists Show Up 09:22 Social Media in Communal Narcissism 12:15 Communal Narcissism in Religious Settings 13:36 Cults and Collective Narcissism 18:31 Communal Narcissism in Politics 19:42 Recognizing the Signs of Communal Narcissism 23:17 Communal Narcissism in Relationships 26:37 Summary and Key Takeaways

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex world of narcissism, focusing on its various subtypes. We unpack grandiose narcissism, its characteristics, as well as fun names in history. Our conversation transitions to communal narcissism, highlighting its deceptive nature and how it can manifest in social settings and religious communities. Next, we examine malignant narcissism, the most severe form, characterized by antisocial, paranoid, and sadistic traits. Lastly, we uncover vulnerable narcissism and the tricky, inside-out way they show up in relationships. The episode concludes with a comparative analysis of danger in these narcissistic subtypes, urging listeners and viewers to beware!

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Grandiose Narcissism 12:00 Understanding Communal Narcissism 22:04 The Complexities of Malignant Narcissism 32:18 Exploring Vulnerable Narcissism 40:32 Most Dangerous Subtypes Ranked

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of pathological narcissism, exploring its various expressions, including covert, overt, grandiose, and vulnerable narcissism. We discuss how these themes of overt and covert narcissism appear in all narcissistic individuals, as do grandiose and vulnerable themes. We articulate how covert narcissism is under the surface in thoughts and fantasies, whereas overt narcissism is behavioral. We also highlight the shiny, extroverted themes of grandiose narcissism, while discussing the underlying emotional issues associated with vulnerable narcissism, including shame, anger, and moodiness. We overall emphasize the overlap between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, detailing that both can coexist within a single individual, leading to a range of ways pathological narcissism can present.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pathological Narcissism 03:26 Distinguishing Between Covert and Overt Narcissism 09:39 Exploring Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissistic Themes 12:37 The Psyche of Grandiose Narcissism 19:54 The Psyche of Vulnerable Narcissism 30:10 Similarities Between Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism 33:19 Summary and Closing

References

• Akhtar, S. (2000). The shy narcissist. In J. Sandler, R. Michels, & P. Fonagy (Eds.), Changing ideas in a changing world: The revolution in psychoanalysis: Essays in honour of Arnold Cooper, (pp. 111-119).
• Blaney, P. H., Krueger, R. F., Millon, T. (Eds.). (2014). Oxford textbook of psychopathology (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Kernberg, O. F. (2009). Narcissistic personality disorders: Part 1[Editorial]. Psychiatric Annals, 39(3), 105–107, 110, 164–166.
• Horowitz, M. (2009). Clinical phenomenology of narcissistic pathology. Psychiatric Annals, 39(3), 124–128.
• Pincus, A. L., & Roche, M. J. (2011). Narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability. In W. K. Campbell & J. D. Miller (Eds.), The handbook of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Theoretical approaches, empirical findings, and treatments (pp. 31–40). John Wiley & Sons.
• Wink, P. (1991). Two faces of narcissism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(4), 590–597 Personality Couch Links Website https://www.personalitycouch.com/ Blog https://www.personalitycouch.com/blog/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/personalitycouch/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/personalitycouch #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalhealthprofessionals #mentalhealth #narcissisticpersonality #narcissism #narcissist #narcissitic #personalitydisorder #personality #personalitypsychology #narcissisticabuse #narcissismawareness #bpd #borderline #borderlinepersonalitydisorder #borderlinepersonality #toxicrelationships #vulnerablenarcissism #grandiose #covertnarcissist #overtnarcissist

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). We explore the historical origins of narcissism, the DSM criteria for diagnosing NPD, and the key characteristics of individuals with this disorder, including a lack of empathy and pervasive envy. Our conversation highlights the roots, characteristics, and the dual nature of narcissism, as well as the challenges in researching NPD. We highlight characteristics such as grandiose self-importance, the need for excessive admiration, and the interpersonal exploitation that can occur in relationships. We also give a preview on the vulnerable aspects of narcissism, highlighting how it can manifest as low self-esteem and social withdrawal, a topic that will be discussed in an upcoming episode!

Chapters 00:00 Intro to Narcissistic Personality Disorder 01:07 Historical Context of Narcissism 06:02 Defining Narcissistic Personality Disorder 09:32 First Symptom: Lack of Empathy 10:52 NPD vs Autism 14:24 Second Symptom: Envy 15:46 Third Symptom: Fantasies of Success, Power, Beauty 16:33 Fourth Symptom: Grandiosity 17:55 Fifth Symptom: The Need for Specialness 20:54 Sixth Symptom: Excessive Admiration 22:22 Seventh Symptom: Entitlement 24:17 Eighth Symptom: Exploitation in Relationships 26:25 Ninth Symptom: Arrogance and Haughty Attitudes 27:37 Vulnerable Narcissism

References:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787 Blaney, P. H., Krueger, R. F., Millon, T. (Eds.). (2014). Oxford textbook of psychopathology (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Blashfield, R. K., & Intoccia, V. (2000). Growth of literature on the topic of personality disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(3), 472-473.
• Millon, T. (2011). Disorders of personality: Introducing a DSM / ICD spectrum from normal to abnormal (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• South, S. C., Eaton, N. R., & Krueger, R. F. (2011). Narcissism in official psychiatric classification systems: Toward DSM-5. In Campbell, W. K. & Miller, J. D. (Eds.), The handbook of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Theoretical approaches, empirical findings, and treatments (pp. 22-30). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118093108.ch3