Today’s episode features Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, aka Dr. Z. She's a national expert in narcissistic abuse and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of adults with anxiety and mood disorders. She's also a relationship coach and she has her own podcast on narcissism and much more.

We break down narcissistic personality disorder, harmful Disney messaging, golden child syndrome manipulation, and how to have a healthy relationship with a narcissist who could be a family member, a parent, a sibling. 

What a Narcissist Is (and Is Not)

A narcissist is not just somebody who is just rude to you for a certain reason and then nicer to other people. We commonly think that somebody who is a narcissist thinks they're the best, that nobody else is above them, and yes, that's true, but it's far more complicated than that, and it's interwoven into all their relationships.

So what does that mean?

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

This is a commonly requested topic, and a complicated one to try and understand through the lens of logic. In this world, empathy is transactional, confidence is a performance, and there is always a motive.

Somebody who has true narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) isn't just narcissistic some of the time. It's a pervasive personality disorder, which means that it literally permeates all domains of a person's life - their family, their work, their friendships, etc. How they talk to a waiter, how they go shopping in a store - it's who they are.

Buried under that is this intense shame and guilt. A person with this disorder will never access that, so to protect that, they portray themselves to the world as this larger-than-life, very charming person. In reality, they are extremely sensitive to any critique, anything that could crack that exterior.

Are You Possibly in a Relationship With a Narcissist? This Episode Is for You

If you've ever thought you may have been in a narcissistic romantic relationship, or if, in the workplace, you possibly have a narcissist and you don't know how to manage that and be able to do your job – this is the episode for you. Remember, if you love it or you think there's someone out there, a loved one or a friend, that needs to hear this – please share it!

Resources:

• Podcast: It’s Me, Dr. Z 

• Website: drjaimezuckerman.com

• Instagram: @dr.z_psychologist

• Facebook: Dr. Jaime Spinell Zuckerman

• YouTube: Dr. Jaime Zuckerman

• Twitter: @drzpsychologist

• Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing 

• Follow Karena Dawn on Instagram: @karenadawn

• Follow The Big Silence on Instagram: @The.Big.Silence

• Subscribe: The Big Silence YouTube Channel

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“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.

Executive Handyman, Bobby Goldstein.