As promised, we are continuing with the theme of narcissism. Some of us have no choice but to live with a narcissist or be around one at certain times. That is usually not very easy to do, so, today we will be talking about ways you can manage the narcissist in your life when you cannot escape having to spend time around them. It could be a parent, a sibling, a relative, an in-law, a boss, or even a work colleague.
Christmas tends to be one of those times when we find ourselves having to sit around a table with someone whose company we would normally prefer to avoid. A narcissist is someone who is at the core of it, very self-absorbed, and their behavior can be challenging and difficult to deal with. Interacting with a narcissist is likely to trigger all of your schemas, so it is helpful to know what you can do to manage the situation. Be sure to stay tuned today to get some tips and find out the best course of action to take when you cannot avoid spending some time with the narcissist in your life.
Show highlights:
- The core qualities of a narcissist.
- The narcissistic parent.
- Why narcissists tend to blame others.
- The covert narcissist.
- Boundaries are necessary for your mental health, but they can sometimes be hard to define.
- Justine shares some ways that you can manage a narcissist.
- The way that narcissists behave can make it difficult to be around them. Justine and Gemma share some tips for making it a little easier.
- Practicing interpersonal mindfulness.
- Sometimes, relationships are very difficult and non-manageable.
- What you can do to prepare yourself before spending time with a narcissist.
- Some ways to protect yourself.
Links and resources:
Email Gemma and Justine at gemmaandjustine@goodmood.com.au
Go to the Good Mood Clinic website podcast page to download your free guide, which talks about the characteristics of an emotionally available partner.
Books mentioned:
Children of the Self-Absorbed by Nina W Brown
Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving and Thriving with the Self-Absorbed by Wendy T Behary
We’re talking about something very interesting today. We’re starting a series discussion on narcissism, a topic that has come up a lot for us as clinicians over the years. Many of our clients have also nominated narcissism as a topic that they would like us to talk about.
In our practices, we see many people whose lives are affected by narcissism, and those relationships are often very preoccupying and distressing. Some people have parents, partners, friends, or even bosses who are narcissists. Today, in our first episode of this series, we will be covering what narcissism is, exactly. We will discuss the particulars in-depth, and we will also give you some examples. Going forward, we will be following on with some more specific episodes on the topic of narcissism. Be sure to stay tuned today to find out what narcissism is and the kind of impact it could have on your life.
Show highlights:
- What narcissism is.
- What a healthy amount of narcissism means.
- What insidious narcissism entails.
- Some of the more obvious traits of narcissists.
- The grandiose narcissist.
- Why narcissists avoid feeling vulnerable.
- Why it’s so difficult to have a relationship with a narcissist.
- The schemas of the types of people who tend to gather around narcissists.
- Why relationships with narcissists can lead to depression.
- Why and how narcissists tend to overcompensate.
- The malignant narcissist.
- Using empathic confrontation in therapy with narcissists.
- The origins of narcissism from a schema perspective.
- How narcissists gain their supply.
- The covert narcissist.
- Some of the defining characteristics of people with narcissism.
Links and resources:
The Good Mood Clinic website
Email Gemma and Justine at gemmaandjustine@goodmood.com.au
Go to the Good Mood Clinic website podcast page to download your free guide, which talks about the characteristics of an emotionally available partner.
Books mentioned:
Books by Wendy Behary – Disarming the Narcissist