Narcissistic Personality (NPD)
DSM: 301.81 ICD: F60.81In this series, we unpack narcissism as a trait vs when it’s pathological; NPD in the DSM-5; and various presentations of narcissism, including: vulnerable, grandiose, communal, and malignant variations. We also address malignant narcissism in politics by exploring what it looks like when world leaders display these traits. We conclude the series by exploring “worse” conditions, including sadism and psychopathy in dark personalities.
Ep 24: The Communal Narcissist's Altruistic Illusion
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.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
A Helpful, 'Saintly' Narcissist?! - Unpacking Communal Narcissism
Narcissists are self-focused, exploitative, entitled, and basically the opposite of helpful…right? Well, actually there’s some newer research that discovered a different kind of narcissism that could be hidden right in your community…
Doc Fish
Ep 23: The 4 Narcissistic Subtypes You Need to Know
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!
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
4 Subtypes of Narcissism: Grandiose, Communal, Malignant, and Vulnerable
You’ve heard a ton of different labels associated with narcissism. Here, we discuss the four most common types of narcissism that is currently talked about in our society.
Doc Fish
Ep 22: Vulnerable and Grandiose Narcissism | The Mirror Has Two Faces
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.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
What's Up with Covert/Overt and Vulnerable/Grandiose Narcissism?
Ever hear of overt, covert, grandiose, and/or vulnerable narcissism? Did you know that most information on the internet isn’t explaining it right? Check out what’s actually going on with narcissism!
Doc Fish
Ep 21: Narcissistic Personality Disorder | The 9 Symptoms
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!
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (F60.81) Diagnostic Criteria
High narcissism doesn’t automatically mean that someone has narcissistic personality disorder. Are you interested in what actually goes into diagnosing narcissistic personality disorder? This blog dives deep into all the DSM-5-TR criteria!
Doc Fish
Ep 20: Narcissism Gone Bad | 5 Signs It's Pathological
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the 5 major signs of pathological narcissism, as well as 3 bonus invisible signs of narcissism. We explore warning signs of pride, superiority, vanity, and inauthenticity (among others!), providing insights into how these traits manifest in behavior and relationships. We also explore how anger and lack of empathy manifest. We end the episode by discussing vulnerable narcissistic themes that are less observable, like emptiness, helplessness, and low self-esteem. Our discussion highlights everyday narcissism, as well as darker aspects of it, including antisocial and murderous examples of such.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
The Dark Side of Narcissism
Narcissism is useful, but it can also be deeply unhealthy. What makes narcissism bad? Let’s take a look at the dark side of narcissism.
Doc Fish