Ep 28: The Post Pandemic Narcissist | Unmasking Paranoid Personality

Ep 28: The Post Pandemic Narcissist | Unmasking Paranoid Personality

Author: Dr. Rebecca Houvener, Psy.D. LCP May 20, 2025 Duration: 32:33
In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) reveal the complex, dangerous, and often misdiagnosed Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). We discuss the rising prevalence of PPD in the post-pandemic world, the clinical challenges in identifying and treating these individuals, and the critical differences between Paranoid Personalities and narcissism. We believe you’re seeing more of these types in your circles as well, and we want you to be equipped with knowledge so you can best protect yourself! Thus, we unpack not only the DSM-5-TR characteristics of Paranoid Personality Disorder, but we also reveal our clinical experience with these types. We include common themes such as: lack of trust, severe gastrointestinal issues, sadomasochism, medical self-sabotage, shedding identities, and the paranoid character’s unique relationship with aggression towards the same-sex. We reveal why we think this type is popping up even more in our circles, what the pandemic had to do with it, and how you can identify these types to keep yourself safe!   Chapters00:00 Intro & Dangers of the Paranoid Personality04:10 Clinical Observations & Post-Pandemic Trends08:20 Defining Paranoid Personality Disorder16:35 Warning Signs of PPD Beyond the DSM27:00 Comparing Paranoid Personality and Narcissism29:25 Why the Post-Pandemic Narcissist?

On the Personality Couch podcast, the subtle and often confusing tensions that shape our daily lives are brought into focus. Hosted by clinical psychologists Dr. Rebecca Houvener (“Doc Bok”) and Dr. Cheyenne Fisher (“Doc Fish”), this conversation moves beyond abstract theory to examine the real-world friction we navigate. Every other week, they take apart those puzzling interactions-the off-kilter feeling with a relative, the unexpected clash with a colleague-and trace them back to their roots in personality structure. Their dialogue is a practical exploration, offering listeners a framework to understand not just others, but their own reactions and patterns. You’ll hear detailed breakdowns of complex relational dynamics, all discussed with the clarity and nuance that comes from clinical expertise. The aim is to provide actionable insight, transforming confusion into comprehension. This isn’t about labeling people; it’s about deciphering the hidden language of human behavior that operates in our friendships, families, workplaces, and broader culture. By tuning in, you gain a shared vocabulary for the unspoken, making sense of the conflicts we all face but don’t always know how to address. The podcast serves as a guide for anyone looking to improve their connections and their own self-awareness, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Personality Couch
Podcast Episodes
Ep 22: Vulnerable and Grandiose Narcissism | The Mirror Has Two Faces [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:25
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of pathological narcissism, exploring its various expressions, including covert, ove…
Ep 21:  Narcissistic Personality Disorder | The 9 Symptoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:35
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). We explore the historical…
Ep 20: Narcissism Gone Bad | 5 Signs Its Pathological [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:33
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the 5 major signs of pathological narcissism, as well as 3 bonus invisible signs of narcissism. We explor…
Ep 19: Is Narcissism Good? The Surprising Truth About Self-Importance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism, exploring its cultural labeling, the distinction between pathological…
Ep 18: The 6 Mental Health Trends: 2024 in Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the cultural and clinical trends of 2024, focusing on global unrest, political polarization, re-examinin…
Ep 17: BPD Part 5: Quiet Borderline: A Closer Look at Subtypes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:04
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we continue to explore the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), particularly focusing on the lesser-known subtype: Quiet BPD. We delve into the historic…
Ep 16: BPD Part 4: What BPD Therapy Really Looks Like [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:45
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we dive into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment, in particular, the healing power of the invisible dynamics in therapy. We discuss the im…
Ep 15: BPD Part 3: Suicidal Behavior and Self Injury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), focusing on the themes of suicidal ideation and self-harm. We explore the DSM criteria for BPD, t…
Ep 14: BPD Part 2: Fear of Abandonment, Psychosis, and Dissociation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
In our second episode of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) series, we discuss how this condition manifests in relationships and clinical practice. We explore the pervasive patterns of instability, fear of abandon…