5 Common Misconceptions about NPD

5 Common Misconceptions about NPD

Author: Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D. November 13, 2023 Duration: 27:27
In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn addresses 5 common misconceptions about pathological narcissism and NPD: 1. NPD is not a mental illness 2. NPD is not treatable 3. Even if NPD is treatable, actual healing is impossible 4. All individuals with NPD are abusers 5. People with NPD change their behavior behind closed doors, so they can't be mentally ill Using authoritative mental health resources like the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, National Institutes of Health, and the Domestic Abuse Hotline; as well as reference to peer-reviewed literature, Dr. Ettensohn discusses each of these misconceptions and why they are mistaken. Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH   VISIT THE WEBSITE: https://www.drettensohn.com/ Cited References: Alexander. (n.d.). Abuse and mental illness: Is there a connection? National Domestic Violence Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/resources/abuse-and-mental-illness-is-there-a-connection/ American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text revision). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is mental illness? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Splitting. APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/splitting Cooper, A. M., & Michels, R. (1988). [Review of Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed., rev.)]. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 1300-1301. Freud, S. (1914). On narcissism. SE, 14, 67-102. London: The Hogarth Press. National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Information about mental illness and the brain. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20369/ Ronningstam, E. & Weinberg, I. (2013). Narcissistic personality disorder: Progress in recognition and treatment. Focus: The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry, 11(2), 167-177.

In each episode of Heal NPD, clinical psychologist Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D., offers a grounded and compassionate look at narcissism, moving beyond the stereotypes that dominate casual conversation. Drawing from his professional practice, Dr. Ettensohn unpacks the complexities of narcissistic personality disorder and related patterns, providing clarity on their underlying mechanisms and impacts. This isn't about labeling or blame; it's a space for genuine understanding, whether you're a person seeking growth, a partner, a family member, or a professional in the field. You'll hear discussions that blend psychological science with practical insights, exploring pathways toward healing, setting boundaries, and fostering healthier relationships. The tone is educational yet accessible, demystifying a topic often shrouded in confusion and stigma. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a nuanced perspective from a specialist who approaches the subject with both clinical expertise and deep humanity. Dr. Ettensohn's thoughtful commentary aims to equip you with knowledge that is both intellectually sound and emotionally resonant, making Heal NPD a unique resource in the landscape of mental health dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 62

Heal NPD
Podcast Episodes
What Narcissism Isn't: Clearing Up the Confusion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:46
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn addresses widespread misconceptions about narcissism by clarifying what the term does not mean. Drawing on clinical examples and years of engagement with public discourse, he explore…
Live with Dr. Ettensohn 6-12-25 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:04
Join Dr. Mark Ettensohn from Heal NPD for a live broadcast answering questions and responding to viewer comments.
Do Narcissists *Really* Lack Empathy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:29
What does it mean to say that narcissists lack empathy? In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn challenges the common assumption that low empathy is a fixed trait in narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Drawing from ps…
Weekly Insights: Is Narcissism the New Moral Panic? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:15
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn examines the rise of moral panic within contemporary discourse about narcissism, particularly how popular online narratives have transformed psychological terms into tools of moral j…
The Birth of Sorrow | Part 1: Crossing into Neurotic-Level Narcissism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:07
Link to episode 1 in this series, on psychotic-level NPD: https://youtu.be/IoxUCbNUJUE Link to episode 2 in this series, on borderline-level NPD: https://youtu.be/Oz-C503q_9Y This is the third episode of a four-episode s…
Weekly Insights: The Myth of Hardwired Narcissism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:17
In this video, Dr. Ettensohn examines the growing claim that Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is almost entirely genetic, offering a critical, clinically grounded reflection on what the current science actually su…
Weekly Insights: Healing Without a Therapist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:29
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn shares an adapted preview from his upcoming video on narcissism at the neurotic level of personality organization. He reflects on what it means to move toward psychological integrati…
Weekly Insights: It Feels Real...But It's Not - Grandiosity in NPD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:00
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn explores the nature of grandiosity in pathological narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), emphasizing that grandiose self-states are distortions that mask underlying…
Weekly Insights: The Hidden Fear Behind NPD - Being Ordinary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:26
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn explores the deep existential conflict at the heart of pathological narcissism and NPD: the fear of being ordinary. Drawing from a recent presentation by psychiatrist and psychoanaly…