Sam Vaknin is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He is a columnist for Central Europe Review, PopMatters, and eBookWeb , a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory Bellaonline, and Suite101 . Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia. Visit Sam's Web site at http://samvak.tripod.com/palma@unet.com.mk To improve your Physics, visit SD Tutor Advisor.com - http://www.tutoradvisor.com.sg/ We have a list of Physics Tutors for your Physics Tuition.
Metaphors Of The Mind The brain (and, by implication, the mind) have been compared to the latest technological innovation in every generation. The computer metaphor is now in vogue. Computer hardware metaphors were replaced by software metaphors and, lately, by (neuronal) network metaphors.Metaphors are not confined to the philosophy of neurology. Architects and mathematicians, for instance, have lately come up with...... Similar Editorial : 10 Mind by Terry Nicholls. | Source : Bipolar Ii
What Is Personality? In their opus magnum "Personality Disorders in Modern Life", Theodore Millon and Roger Davis define personality as: "(A) complex pattern of deeply embedded psychological characteristics that are expressed automatically in almost every area of psychological functioning." (p. 2) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)) IV-TR (2000), published by the American Psychiatric Association, defines...... Similar Editorial : The Personality of Leadership by Jeff Earlywine. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissism And Personality Disorders During our formative years (6 months to 6 years old), we are all "narcissists". Primary Narcissism is a useful and critically important defense mechanism. As the infant separates from his mother and becomes an individual, it is likely to experience great apprehension, fear, and pain. Narcissism shields the child from these negative emotions. By pretending to be omnipotent, the toddler fends off...... Similar Editorial : Axes of Personality Disorders by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
The Construct Of Normal Personality Personality disorders are dysfunctions of our whole identity, tears in the fabric of who we are. They are all-pervasive because our personality is ubiquitous and permeates each and every one of our mental cells. I just published the first article in this topic titled "What is Personality?". Read it to understand the subtle differences between "personality", "character", and "temperament". In the...... Similar Editorial : Personality Plus by viper58. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Cluster B Personality Disorders The DSM-IV-TR (2000) defines a personality disorder as: "An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations the individuals culture (and is manifested in two or more of his or her areas of mental life:) cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning, or impulse control." Such a pattern is rigid, long-term (stable), and recurrent. It manifests...... Similar Editorial : Axes of Personality Disorders by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Common Features Of Personality Disorders Psychology is more an art form than a science. There is no "Theory of Everything" from which one can derive all mental health phenomena and make falsifiable predictions. Still, as far as personality disorders are concerned, it is easy to discern common features. Most personality disorders share a set of symptoms (as reported by the patient) and signs (as observed by the mental health practitioner)...... Similar Editorial : Narcissism and Personality Disorders by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Axes Of Personality Disorders Personality disorders are like tips of icebergs. They rest on a foundation of causes and effects, interactions and events, emotions and cognitions, functions and dysfunctions that together form the patient and make him or her what s/he is. The DSM uses five axes to analyze, classify, and describe these data. The patient (or subject) presents himself to a mental health diagnostician, is evaluated,...... Similar Editorial : Skin Disorders 101 by omilana. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Diagnostic Criteria The Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is not a new psychological construct. In previous centuries it was called "egotism" or "megalomania". It is an extreme form of pathological narcissism. The Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is one of the four personality disorders in Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic). It was first described in the DSM III-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Clinical Features Clinical Features of the Narcissistic Personality Disorder Opinions vary as to whether the narcissistic traits evident in in infancy, childhood, and early adolescence are pathological. Anecdotal evidence suggests that childhood abuse and trauma inflicted by parents, authority figures, or even peers provoke "secondary narcissism" and, when unresolved, may lead to the full-fledged Narcissistic...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder Tips by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
The History Of Personality Disorders At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the French psychiatrist Pinel coined the phrase "manie sans delire" (insanity without delusions). He described patients who lacked impulse control, often raged when frustrated, and were prone to outbursts of violence. He noted that such patients were not subject to delusions. He was referring, of course, to psychopaths (subjects with the Antisocial...... Similar Editorial : Narcissism and Personality Disorders by Sam Vaknin. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Prevalence And Comorbidity What is the Difference between Healthy Narcissism and the Pathological Kind? In my book "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited", I define pathological narcissism as: "(A) life-long pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and ambition." Luckily...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder Tips by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Schizoid Personality Disorder Schizoids enjoy nothing and seemingly never experience pleasure (they are anhedonic). Even their nearest and dearest often describe them as "automata", "robots", or "machines". But the schizoid is not depressed or dysphoric, merely indifferent. Schizoids are uninterested in social relationships and bored or puzzled by interpersonal interactions. They are incapable of intimacy and have a very...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Histrionic Personality Disorder This immediately raises the question: Is this a real mental health disorder or a culture-bound syndrome which reflects the values of a patriarchal and misogynistic society? A man with similar traits is bound to be admired as a "macho" or, at worst, labeled a "womanizer". Histrionics resemble narcissists - both seek attention compulsively and are markedly dysphoric and uncomfortable when not at the...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Avoidant Personality Disorder As a result, they are shy and socially inhibited. Aware of their real (and, often, imagined) shortcomings, they are constantly on the lookout, are hypervigilant and hypersensitive. Even the slightest, most constructive and well-meant or helpful criticism and disagreement are perceived as complete rejection, ridicule, and shaming. Consequently, they go to great lengths to avoid situations that...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
Borderline Personality Disorder Some scholars say that it is a culture-bound pseudo-syndrome invented by men to serve a patriarchal and misogynistic society. Others point to the fact the lives of patients diagnosed with the disorder are chaotic and that the relationships they form are stormy, short-lived, and unstable. Moreover, not unlike compensatory narcissists, people with the Borderline Personality Disorder often display...... Similar Editorial : Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.. | Source : Bipolar Disability
