Malignant Narcissism, Sociopathy, Psychopathy, and NPD

In this video I am going to discuss what is called malignant narcissism, which is a combination of NPD, ASPD, sociopathy, and psychopathy. There is considerable evidence in research and clinical case studies that overlap exists between these personality types complicating the lives of those with these disorders, those who are in relationships with them, and those who work with them. Knowledge is key to identification, management, safety, and treatment and that’s what I’m here to provide.

Research has suggested that antisocial PD may be a subgroup of narcissistic personality disorder, called malignant narcissism. Malignant narcissistic features include: antisocial features, paranoid traits, and egosyntonic aggression (explain), a grandiose sense of self-importance, preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power and brilliance, a belief in being special or unique, a strong need for excessive admiration, a sense of entitlement, interpersonal exploitativeness, a lack of empathy and prominent envy.

Other traits may include an absence of conscience, a psychological need for power, inconsistent and contradictory moral standards (moral perfectionism vs moral compromises and dishonesty), and specific criminal behavior (They can occasionally commit criminal acts if enraged or as a means of avoiding defeat but normally do not display recurrent antisocial behavior), and a sense of importance (grandiosity).

Many of these individuals have grandiose fantasies, for instance, of being very successful, powerful, brilliant, rich, etc., while holding a belief in their invulnerability, which adds to fear and the need to control others through malicious means. Interestingly, they generally acknowledged their need for others; this can be for different uses to achieve different ends…

They have a tendency towards exploitative behavior and may be unconsciously motivated to take advantage of others and emanate a feeling of superiority or entitlement, which serves to enhance self-image by gaining attention, admiration, and status. Exploitiveness, in the malignant narcissist, manifests for materialistic or sexual gain, whereas for the narcissist without malignancy, exploitation is often unconsciously motivated to enhance one’s self-image by attaining admiration or power.
Now that you know what malignant narcissism is, what about treatment?

What about treatment. 1) he/she must chose to go on their own for their own reasons. You can’t and won’t convince them. 2) Malignant narcissists may come to treatment under pressure from social services or correctional institutions. 3) They occasionally come to get help for coexisting mental disorders, substance abuse and dependence problems, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and especially the presentation of suicidal behaviors.

Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in Texas, international speaker, and a multi-award winning author. He has been specializing in the treatment and assessment of individuals with personality disorders for over 15 years in the state and federal prison system, universities, and in private practice. His specialty areas include personality disorders, ethics, burnout prevention, and emotional intelligence.

He has published several articles in these areas and is the author of:

Dr. Fox has given numerous workshops and seminars on ethics and personality disorders, personality disorders and crime, treatment solutions for treating clients along the antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality spectrum, emotional intelligence, managing mental health within the prison system, and others.

[KarmasAbutch]

NPD and CPTSD ... like a moth to the flame. I am learning how to grey rock my empathy and stop signalling I am a source of supply, finally at the age of 50. Wish all this stuff had been available 30 years ago.

[jessicamappless]

Run from these people. They will destroy your life.

[amandastein]

I have BPD, and I just finally and permanently left a toxic and abusive relationship with a vulnerable malignant narcissist. This has been extremely difficult to do, because I’m on the far-end with a fear of abandonment. However, I am already feeling less depressed after leaving the toxic emotional abuse.

[patriciagoncalves]

That was really enlightening. It's funny how we never think that even extreme narcissists are just lonely inside and hurt others to feel more safe and in control... when they may have even lower self esteem than

[loveahusky]

“Today, we’re going to talk about....” the world around me, lol 😂

[sparklingloveandlight]

Thank u Dr Fox. Yes, please, make a video on BPD and NPD relationships. I have BPD and this I went thru many times. Seems I only feel fulfilled with a Narc but it's just the Illusion. I like my freedom.

[apexlifeismine]

The only way to change a malignant narcissist is to realize that you can't . You can only modify their behaviors by establishing boundaries and enforcing them in a very strict way . God Bless all my American Patriots World Wide and much love

[tvbvotf]

My narc has made me change my phone numbers, lots of times, controls my money, sense of self is totally lost after 17 years. Threatens to leave me weekly and when ive set boundaries she breaks them same day. Put downs and uses adjectives for mental disorders to put the blame back on me to regain her sense of control. I am lost and need to finally end this mental-emotional abuse.

[irenewatson]

Absolutely accurate and I like the speed of your delivery, covers a wealth of information. I'm dealing with malignant x3 and 1 pschopath all in 1 family. I must be an empath as they are drawn to me like moths to a flame. The main person/problem is nearly 90 and I don't know where she gets the energy to have so many malignant set ups in the air at once, practice I suppose.They don't live the one life they are given.Its spent mirroring me, sometimes it backfires and they will present in some really unusual outfits.The power they wield within their coterie is based on them holding the purse strings and heaven help anyone of them who dare to say no to them as their share will probably be left to the nearest dogs home.No love there, just a bottomless pit for a need to control.Jump on board and you may be safe or be like me go no contact and watch the disastrous attempts at hoovering you back up again.It can be very draining at times.You just have to try to stop the emotional thinking and keep as far away as possible.I watch a lot of these videos as it's nice to be in contact with normality.

[michelekurlan]

Really liked learning that there's an actual technical term for flying monkeys which is 'enlistment.'

[felishawalker]

Hi Dr. Fox, thank you so much for the enlightening information. I would love for you to create a video explaining the relationship between someone with malignant narcissism/narcissistic traits and someone with BPD. I strongly believe my mother is a malignant narcissist and has comorbidity. She has not been formally diagnosed. I was diagnosed with BPD in 2018 and have comorbidity. The relationship I have with my mother is loving, but mainly volatile. Even as a married adult I still feel controlled by her. I hope you can shed some light on this unique relationship. Look forward to watching more great videos!

[sarahs]

I would love to hear about NPD and BPD together in a relationship. I've been in that situation.

[milcavilasboas]

I'm soooo relieved you're back into your office! Hugs

[chrisjuneza]

Thank you, this has been very enlightening, chaotic years went by, and I FINALLY got a glimpse of what's going on in his head...

[maedrosbott]

Absolutely brilliant! Well presented and very insightful. Thank you

[kellyann]

Great video! I love all of the information you've provided. I would love to hear about relationships between NPD and BPD.

[souljacem]

Beautifully explained, Dr. Fox. Thank you!

[deedee]

This is by far the best explanation of NPD I have come across!!! Subscribed!

[charki]

Thank you. I have been searching for a video with clarity and insightful information on this for a bit. It gives me a sibling of such a person greater awareness to its expression and motivations and importantly how I can protect myself without guilt from its onslaught. I have subbed.

[cosmicstarslug]

Dr Fox, thank you for your videos. I'd very much like to see a video about problematic bpd and npd relationships. Stay safe