It's Time We Discarded The Myth of "The Narcissist"
Heal NPD17 Okt 2025

It's Time We Discarded The Myth of "The Narcissist"

In this episode, Dr. Mark Ettensohn challenges one of the most persistent distortions in contemporary discourse on narcissism: the myth of “the narcissist.”

He explains how this cultural archetype, an image of coldness, cruelty, and manipulation, has eclipsed legitimate clinical understanding of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Drawing on both the peer-reviewed literature and his clinical experience, Dr. Ettensohn describes how terms like narcissistic abuse, covert narcissism, and narcissistic supply have come to dominate popular psychology despite lacking grounding in peer-reviewed research.

The episode explores how this narrative misleads clinicians, alienates patients, and perpetuates stigma, while offering a more accurate view of pathological narcissism as a defensive structure rooted in shame, vulnerability, and loss.

Dr. Ettensohn argues that it is time to discard the myth of “the narcissist” and replace it with a more compassionate, evidence-based understanding of NPD...one that recognizes both the pain it causes and the suffering it defends against.

Additional Resources

Website: https://healnpd.org

Newsletter: https://healnpd.substack.com

Assessment and therapy inquiries: https://healnpd.org/contact

Purchase Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nG9FgH

Related Links:

In-depth exploration of the DSM NPD construct: https://youtu.be/I2fD65wy48I

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Episoder(55)

The Ethics of Narc-Abuse Content: Why 'It Helps' Isn't Enough

The Ethics of Narc-Abuse Content: Why 'It Helps' Isn't Enough

In this episode, Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines a common defense of online “narcissistic abuse” content: the claim that, even if imperfect or inaccurate, it ultimately helps people leave harmful relation...

9 Jan 13min

From Validation to Isolation: The Narc-Abuse Pipeline

From Validation to Isolation: The Narc-Abuse Pipeline

In this video, Dr. Ettensohn examines the online narc-abuse ecosystem and explores how content that initially feels validating and supportive can, over time, become thought-constraining and socially i...

19 Des 202531min

Understanding Empathy in Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Understanding Empathy in Narcissistic Personality Disorder

This video continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series, featuring Dr. Mark Ettensohn with his associates, Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. In this session, the group discusses Empathy and Narci...

19 Des 20251h 1min

Narcissism and Suicide Risk: The Hidden Side of NPD

Narcissism and Suicide Risk: The Hidden Side of NPD

This episode continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series, featuring Dr. Mark Ettensohn and his associates, Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. I n this session, the group discusses a recent meta-a...

20 Nov 20251h 6min

What About Narcissists Who Had a Happy Childhood?

What About Narcissists Who Had a Happy Childhood?

In this episode, Dr. Mark Ettensohn responds to a common question: How can someone with a perfectly normal and mostly happy childhood develop narcissistic personality disorder? The discussion challe...

7 Nov 202514min

Seminar Series 3: Beyond Traits - The Relational roots of NPD

Seminar Series 3: Beyond Traits - The Relational roots of NPD

This episode continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series, featuring Dr. Mark Ettensohn and his associates, Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. In this session, the group discusses Narcissistic P...

6 Nov 202553min

Seminar Series 2: Rupture and Repair - Principles of Treatment for NPD

Seminar Series 2: Rupture and Repair - Principles of Treatment for NPD

This episode continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series, featuring Dr. Mark Ettensohn and his associates, Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. In this session, the group discusses Principles of ...

21 Okt 202559min

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