Videos

Der US-amerikanische Psychologe und Autor des Buches Unmasking Narcissism – A guide to understanding the narcissist in your life, Dr. Mark Ettensohn, betreibt einen Youtube-Kanal mit hervorragenden Informationen zum Thema. Anders als nahezu alle, der inzwischen in großer Zahl verfügbaren Kanäle, welche regelmäßig eine dämonisierende Haltung einnehmen, ist Ettensohn bemüht, Narzissmus als die schwere psychische Störung darzustellen, die er ist und zu betonen, was zu oft überhaupt nicht gesagt wird: Auch Narzissten leiden! Sie wollen keine Narzissten sein und haben sich ihre kognitiv-emotionalen Einschränkungen und Barrieren nicht ausgesucht. Es wird empfohlen, mit den ersten, also frühesten Videos im Kanal zu beginnen und sich dann schrittweise neueren zu widmen.

In this follow-up to his most recent video, Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines a central problem in the way narcissism is commonly discussed online: the assumption that abusive behavior is sufficient evidence of narcissism. The episode argues that this conclusion arises, in part, from a longstanding problem in the DSM diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Many of the interpersonal characteristics traditionally associated with NPD, including entitlement, impaired empathy, exploitation, arrogance, and refusal to take responsibility, are also common features of abusive relationships in general. As a result, virtually any abusive relationship can appear “narcissistic” without establishing that pathological narcissism is actually present. Dr. Ettensohn explores how this lack of specificity has contributed to the widespread popularity of the concept of “narcissistic abuse,” and why it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish abusive behavior from pathological narcissism itself. He argues that contemporary research has moved toward understanding pathological narcissism as a disorder of identity and self-esteem regulation characterized by fluctuating grandiose and vulnerable states, rather than simply a collection of observable interpersonal behaviors. The episode also examines how popular discussions of narcissism often continue to rely on the older behavioral framework while separating the term “narcissism” from its underlying clinical construct. Dr. Ettensohn argues that this creates conceptual confusion, contributes to public stigma surrounding NPD, and encourages people to mistake abuse itself for evidence of narcissistic pathology. Ultimately, the discussion asks a simple question: When does abusive behavior actually indicate pathological narcissism, and when are we simply describing abuse? To see the video this follows up: https://youtu.be/lcIEM7IVXxk ⸻ Additional Resources Website: https://healnpd.org Newsletter: https://healnpd.substack.com Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH SUBSCRIBE: https://rb.gy/kbhusf LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpum LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8 BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeT5kujD1JqHRAi-x8xD-w/join About Heal NPD Heal NPD is a clinical practice specializing in the assessment and treatment of pathological narcissism, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and related personality difficulties. We provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments, individual psychotherapy, and consultations for partners and family members. Learn more or inquire about services: https://healnpd.org
Why Every Abuser Looks Like a Narcissist
Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines a recent interview between Dr. Ramani Durvasula and filmmaker Mark Vicente, focusing on Dr. Ramani’s statement that “narcissism” is not a diagnosis. Dr. Ettensohn agrees with this clarification. Narcissism is not itself a DSM diagnosis, and the term is used in many different ways across clinical psychology, personality research, psychodynamic theory, and popular culture. The episode explores what follows from that observation and asks whether public discussions of narcissism remain grounded in coherent psychological models. The discussion examines how broad terms such as “narcissism” can gradually shift in meaning while continuing to support increasingly specific claims about personality, motivation, empathy, treatment resistance, manipulation, and interpersonal behavior. Dr. Ettensohn argues that ambiguous or loosely defined psychological constructs should not be used to explain complex human behavior. The episode also considers what is omitted from many popular discussions of narcissism, including identity disturbance, depression, anxiety, suicidality, developmental trauma, assessment, and treatment. Dr. Ettensohn argues that reducing narcissism primarily to a collection of abusive or manipulative qualities risks separating the construct from established models of psychopathology while retaining the trappings of clinical authority. The episode concludes by discussing why conceptual precision matters in psychology and why public education about personality pathology should strive to reflect coherent psychological theory rather than popular stereotypes. Additional Resources Website: https://healnpd.org Newsletter: https://healnpd.substack.com Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH SUBSCRIBE: https://rb.gy/kbhusf LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpum LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpca LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8 BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeT5kujD1JqHRAi-x8xD-w/join About Heal NPD Heal NPD is a clinical practice specializing in the assessment and treatment of pathological narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder, and related personality difficulties. We offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments, individual psychotherapy, and consultations for partners and family members. Learn more or inquire about services: https://healnpd.org
Dr. Ramani Says “Narcissism” Isn’t a Diagnosis. I Agree.
Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines the common claim that personality disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are either caused by trauma or are primarily genetic. He argues that this framing presents a false dichotomy and does not reflect how personality development is understood in contemporary psychology. The discussion begins by reconsidering what psychologists mean by the word trauma. Rather than treating trauma as a particular kind of event, Dr. Ettensohn explores the idea that trauma is better understood as the psychological injury resulting from life experiences. This distinction helps explain why children raised in the same family can have very different developmental outcomes despite sharing many of the same experiences. The video also examines the role of temperament and other heritable factors in personality development. While genetic predispositions influence how individuals experience and respond to their environments, they do not determine personality disorders in isolation. Instead, personality emerges through the ongoing interaction between biology and developmental experience. Finally, Dr. Ettensohn addresses common arguments based on brain imaging and twin studies, explaining why these findings are often misunderstood in discussions about heritability. The episode considers the importance of construct validity, operationalization, and measurement when interpreting research on personality disorders, arguing that simplistic claims about either trauma or genetics fail to capture the complexity of human psychological development. Additional Resources Website: https://healnpd.org Newsletter: https://healnpd.substack.com Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH SUBSCRIBE: https://rb.gy/kbhusf LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpum LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpca LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8 BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeT5kujD1JqHRAi-x8xD-w/join About Heal NPD Heal NPD is a clinical practice specializing in the assessment and treatment of pathological narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder, and related personality difficulties. We offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments, individual psychotherapy, and consultations for partners and family members. Learn more or inquire about services: https://healnpd.org
The Truth About Narcissism and Trauma
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines the concept of “narcissistic abuse” and explains why he no longer considers it a coherent psychological construct. Using the comment from a viewer as a starting point, the discussion explores a common misconception: that skepticism toward the concept of narcissistic abuse reflects a lack of empathy for victims. Dr. Ettensohn argues that his concern is not with the reality of abuse or the suffering of those who experience it, but with the explanatory framework that has developed around the term. The episode examines the concept through the lens of construct validity, asking what psychological phenomenon the term actually refers to and whether it identifies a distinct form of abuse beyond categories that are already well established in psychology. The discussion considers the problems of operationalization, the distinction between observation and inference, and why labeling abuse according to the presumed diagnosis of the perpetrator differs from defining abuse by the harm it causes. Dr. Ettensohn also revisits his own earlier use of the term, explaining how his thinking has evolved over time. He distinguishes between psychoanalytic concepts such as narcissistic injury and the contemporary online usage of “narcissistic abuse,” arguing that these represent fundamentally different theoretical models. Finally, the episode explores how explanatory frameworks shape memory and interpretation, and why concepts that incorporate assumptions about another person’s motivations or diagnosis may become difficult to evaluate critically. Throughout, the discussion argues for greater conceptual precision in psychology while emphasizing that questioning a psychological construct is not the same as questioning the reality of abuse. Additional Resources Website: https://healnpd.org Newsletter: https://healnpd.substack.com Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH SUBSCRIBE: https://rb.gy/kbhusf LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpum LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpca LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8 BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeT5kujD1JqHRAi-x8xD-w/join About Heal NPD Heal NPD is a clinical practice specializing in the assessment and treatment of pathological narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder, and related personality difficulties. We offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments, individual psychotherapy, and consultations for partners and family members. Learn more or inquire about services: https://healnpd.org
My Problem With "Narcissistic Abuse"
Exploring narcissistic personality styles within neurotic organizations. Unlike NPD, these individuals show more resilient identity, better affect tolerance, and consistent reality testing, driven by self-worth, dependency, and envy conflicts. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P5D8eSqoqo #Narcissism #Psychology #NeuroticOrganizations #PersonalityStyles #SelfWorth
Narcissistic Personality: Neurotic vs. Disorder Explained #shorts
Therapy is a personal relationship, but with boundaries. Therapists must hold a compassionate, focused frame while clients reveal their struggles, preventing chaos. It's about mentalizing, not just listening. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KAzHpjx0mQ #Therapy #MentalHealth #TherapistLife #Psychology #Healing
Therapy: Holding Silence, Building Trust, Navigating Chaos #shorts
When dealing with narcissism, a silent third party often emerges – the waiting partner. By the time the individual enters therapy, significant damage has often occurred. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KAzHpjx0mQ #Narcissism #Psychology #Therapy #Relationships #MentalHealth
Healing from Narcissism: Therapy's Long Road #shorts
The beauty of a dimensional approach? It avoids stigmatizing 'normal' vs. 'disordered' personalities. It views differences in terms of degree rather than kind. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KAzHpjx0mQ #DimensionalApproach #Psychology #MentalHealth #PersonalityDisorders
Understanding Personality Disorders: A Dimensional Approach #shorts
Explore a new perspective on personality disorders, viewing them as disruptions in identity and interpersonal functioning—rooted in attachment disturbances. Understanding the self and others. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KAzHpjx0mQ #PersonalityDisorders #AttachmentTheory #Psychology #MentalHealth
Understanding Personality Disorders: New Concepts Explained #shorts
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