Guest guest Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Hey guys, Just read a blog article by Randi Kreger on the subtle, but very real and important distinctions between Borderlines and Narcissists. Good article, I recommend it. Here is a link to this blog in Psychology Today http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201110/what-h\ ave-you-done-me-lately-entitlement-key-narcissistic-trait <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201110/what-\ have-you-done-me-lately-entitlement-key-narcissistic-trait> Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 True: the DSM-IV TR (the current version of it) breaks down the Cluster B disorders into discrete sub-categories. Those with narcissistic pd and antisocial pd are considered to lack the capacity for empathy, to possess a sense of entitlement, and to feel that rules do not apply to them because they are better than other people and deserve to have special treatment, while those with borderline pd are considered to have the capacity for empathy, to lack a sense of entitlement, and to not have issues with grandiosity (the deserving special treatment due to being superior.) Or, instead of a feeling of superiority, some with npd (apparently) construct a belief system based on the " victim mentality " , that they have been short-changed by life, their basic needs have been wrongfully denied them, so that entitles them to take what they want when they want it NOW, no matter if that stomps on other people's rights, or hurts other people, or not. I personally wish that the new version of the DSM would completely reconstruct the way that mental illnesses are diagnosed. I wish that there was simply a " checklist " that would list all the possible traits and behaviors or symptoms of all mental illnesses. ALL of them. All abnormal symptoms, from chronic insomnia to anxiety to lack of remorse, from feeling empty inside to hallucinating, from a sense of entitlement to rapid mood swings to obsessive/compulsive behaviors to acting out sexually. ALL abnormal, dysfunctional symptoms, traits, and behaviors. Then the psychologist would run down the checklist and mark all the traits and behaviors that apply to this or that particular individual client, rating each symptom the patient has by frequency and intensity. That way a very individual, very targeted diagnosis would be arrived at for each patient. That might take longer, and it would probably require both a physical/medical evaluation as well as a psychological evaluation, but I think it would be worthwhile and a benefit to have an extremely thorough and individual diagnosis for each patient, particularly when the patient has many, complex symptoms, traits or behaviors of different types. So in my own nada's case, her checklist would have 7 traits that are currently categorized as " borderline pd " , 5 traits from " narcissistic pd " , 2 traits from " antisocial pd " , 2 traits from " histrionic pd " , 3 traits from " obsessive-compulsive pd " and several traits from " Alzheimer's dementia. " I'm also very interested in (even excited over) the latest generation of neurobiological brain research and genetics research studies that are showing that specific areas of the brain are impacted/not working properly when certain symptoms or behaviors are being evidenced, and that some of these discrete traits and behaviors are genetically linked, specifically, impulsive aggression (aka bpd inappropriate and extreme rage, high impulsivity = a hair-trigger temper) and affective instability (aka emotional dysregulation or rapid, wild mood swings.) Here's a link to one of these studies: http://www.mssm.edu/static_files/MSSM/Files/Research/Programs/Mood%20and%20Perso\ nality%20Disorders%20Research%20Program/imaging_genetics.pdf I think that in the near future, neurobiological testing will be a part of psychological evaluations as well. And I think that the more we understand about the actual organic, physical, neurobiological structure and functioning of the brain, the better chance we have of finding more effective treatments (even, dare I hope for it, cures) for mental illnesses. PS: I personally am not taking anything that Sam Vaknin writes at face value. He is a self-proclaimed narcissistic pd person and makes his living from being a kind of " jungle guide " to non-pd people about narcissism, but he himself was surprised to find that he rated extremely high on the Hare psychopathy checklist. He is a former convicted criminal, having committed financial fraud, and he presents himself as a doctor but also admits that he bought his diploma at a " diploma mill " institute. In some of his writings he sounds very plausible and trustworthy, while in other writings and interviews he admits that he basically enjoys manipulating people and enjoys messing with their minds. I think he is interesting because he has created a novel way to utilize his genius-level but dysfunctional intelligence: he openly admits to being a predator! And while I find this unique approach fascinating, I also think he is one scary, scary individual because he is a for-real psychopath who presents himself as " benevolent. " A real mind-f**k, imho. Beware of the smiling, charming psychopath, folks. The reason I have these opinions about Mr Vaknin is from watching the documentary about him called " I, Psychopath " . You can watch this documentary for free at: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/i-psychopath/ Its a real eye-opener! -Annie > > > Hey guys, > > Just read a blog article by Randi Kreger on the subtle, but very real > and important distinctions between Borderlines and Narcissists. Good > article, I recommend it. > > Here is a link to this blog in Psychology Today > > > > http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201110/what-h\ > ave-you-done-me-lately-entitlement-key-narcissistic-trait > <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201110/what-\ > have-you-done-me-lately-entitlement-key-narcissistic-trait> > > > > Doug > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Great stuff...I too wonder about my nada and NPD vs. BPD. She has bits of both it seems. I also feel very wary Vaknin and I wonder if he's still married to his wife. I felt so bad for that poor woman - it's like she didn't even have sense enough to protect herself in any way. Not in terms of not marrying the crazy man but also in having the whole sorry mess put in a documentary for the world to see. Eliza > > > > > > Hey guys, > > > > Just read a blog article by Randi Kreger on the subtle, but very real > > and important distinctions between Borderlines and Narcissists. Good > > article, I recommend it. > > > > Here is a link to this blog in Psychology Today > > > > > > > > http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201110/what-h\ > > ave-you-done-me-lately-entitlement-key-narcissistic-trait > > <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201110/what-\ > > have-you-done-me-lately-entitlement-key-narcissistic-trait> > > > > > > > > Doug > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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