Background

It Hurts to Move On, Healing is Painful

Uploaded 2/28/2023, approx. 2 minute read

Back with Sam Vaknin in his TikTok garden, the only place you never want to be, but you're still here, inexorably attracted by my Picardieous.

I am your favorite blue professor of psychology and the author of Malignant Self-Love, Narcissism, Revisited and many other unmentionable tomes of deep erudition and insurmountable sagacity.

Yes, I love $10 words.

The only thing I love more than $10 words are $10.

This is old daddy jokes. Only old daddies can get them.

Okay, Shoshanim, Shvanpanim and baby seals. We all believeor are led to believe by the self-help industry that attending therapy or reading self-help books is going to transform your life.

And sometimes it does, but you should know the following.

Acts of self-love and healing are always painful. They always agonize it.

Getting rid of toxic but addictive people, posing discipline, goals and structure on dissolute and carefree lives, saying no to temptations and seductions, gaining insights into your shortcomings, self-inflicted wounds and failures, confronting trauma and abuse, investing hard work in introspection and therapy. These are arduous tasks. They're not pleasant. It's not a joy, right? You're going to suffer. Suffering is the coinage of healing. You're going to suffer and then you're going to heal.

There's no shortcut. There's no way around this.

You have been forewarned.

Now get to work.-

Thank you.

If you enjoyed this article, you might like the following:

Change Your Inner Dialog, Narrative Plot

The inner dialogue consists of various voices, including those of parents, peers, and societal expectations, which create a complex ego system that influences identity and self-perception. This dialogue often reflects societal pressures to conform and achieve, leading to feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness. To foster healing, one must identify the sources of these voices, discern which are authentic, and construct a narrative that is coherent, inclusive, and aligned with personal values rather than societal demands. Ultimately, achieving a state of happiness involves embracing one's existence and creating a meaningful narrative that promotes self-acceptance and integration, free from the distortions imposed by external expectations.


These 10 Self-help Myths Will Destroy Your Life

The self-help industry perpetuates several myths that mislead individuals seeking personal growth. One major myth is that people can learn from their mistakes, while in reality, they often repeat harmful behaviors due to repetition compulsion. Another myth is that transformational change is possible at any age, but fundamental personality traits are largely set after age 25, making significant change unlikely. Additionally, the belief that love and time heal all wounds, and that having multiple choices empowers individuals, is contradicted by evidence showing that these factors often lead to anxiety and disappointment rather than fulfillment.


Wounded Inner Child Undermines Adult

The inner child concept refers to the emotional and mental age discrepancy that exists within individuals, often resulting from unmet childhood needs and experiences of trauma or dysfunction. This inner child can manifest as a wounded part of the self that seeks validation and fulfillment from others, leading to maladaptive behaviors and emotional responses in adulthood. Therapeutic approaches, such as reparenting and corrective emotional experiences, aim to address these wounds by fostering understanding, compassion, and healthy interactions, ultimately facilitating growth and integration of the self. The goal is to help individuals navigate their inner child's needs while developing effective adult coping mechanisms, thereby reducing shame and promoting emotional healing.


Silencing Denying Your Pain Betrayal Trauma And Betrayal Blindness

The lecture discusses Betrayal Trauma Theory, emphasizing that trauma can be exacerbated when the perpetrator is someone the victim relies on for survival, leading to denial and dissociation as coping mechanisms. It critiques societal norms that discourage emotional expression, arguing that acknowledging pain is a sign of strength rather than weakness. The theory highlights the importance of recognizing betrayal in relationships, particularly in childhood, and how it can lead to various psychological disorders, including PTSD and dissociative identity disorder. Ultimately, the lecture advocates for a deeper understanding of betrayal trauma to improve therapeutic approaches and support for victims.


Manipulate the Narcissist and Live to Tell About It? (Lecture in Budapest)

The lecture discusses the complexities of dealing with narcissists, emphasizing that the most effective method for managing a narcissist is to maintain no contact. It outlines eight techniques for manipulation, including gray rock, mirroring, and deflection, but warns that using these strategies can lead to adopting narcissistic traits oneself. The speaker explains that narcissists are often victims of their own trauma, leading to their manipulative behaviors, and highlights the importance of understanding the narcissist's mindset to navigate interactions effectively. Ultimately, the lecture stresses that the only true path to healing and self-preservation is to sever ties completely with narcissistic individuals.


8 Ways to Survive the Narcissist (ENGLISH Excerpts)

The lecture is divided into two parts, with the first 15 minutes outlining the eight proven ways to manipulate a narcissist, with the most effective being no contact. The other seven techniques include gray rock, deflection, mirroring, shared psychosis, high-grade narcissistic supply, withholding, and intermittent reinforcement. However, the speaker warns that these techniques can lead to the development of narcissistic and psychopathic behaviors in the victim. The lecture concludes with an invitation to explore the narcissist's mind.


Re-integrating the Narcissistic Personality

The lack of emotional self-acceptance leads individuals to engage in a dysfunctional inner dialogue characterized by conflicting self-assessments and self-doubt. This chaotic dialogue often revolves around fundamental questions of identity and self-worth that should have been settled earlier in life, indicating issues with socialization rather than psychological dysfunction. To address this, individuals should focus on healing their social interactions and forming a consensus among the various voices within their personality, often with the help of a trusted mediator. Ultimately, developing a stable sense of self-worth relies on consistent interactions with mature individuals and creating a nurturing emotional environment.


Hitchcock's Halloween Treat (or Trick?): Psycho, or Embodied Introject

The analysis of Norman Bates in "Psycho" reveals a complex interplay between his psychosis and his relationship with his mother, who serves as a powerful introject in his psyche. Norman's inability to separate his identity from his mother's oppressive influence leads to a distorted view of women, whom he ultimately seeks to control and eliminate as a means of asserting his autonomy. His actions, including the murder of Marion, are driven by a deep-seated guilt and a desire to reconcile his conflicting feelings of love and hatred towards his mother, culminating in a tragic cycle of self-destruction. The film illustrates the psychological ramifications of unresolved trauma and the destructive nature of narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies, as Norman embodies the very traits he despises in his mother.


Staring Into Abyss: Failed Healer's Confession

Mental health professionals often experience feelings of helplessness when working with clients whose conditions seem unmanageable, leading to a sense of despair akin to a nightmare scenario. The complexity of some patients' traumas can create a chaotic environment that overwhelms therapists, who are also human and susceptible to their own mental health issues. This dynamic can result in vicarious trauma, burnout, and emotional dysregulation for therapists, as they grapple with the intense desire to rescue clients who may feel dead inside. The stark contrast between a client's potential and their reality can induce profound frustration and sadness, affecting the therapist's emotional well-being.


You Don't Deserve To Be Happy, Loved ( Bad Object)

The bad object, stemming from negative parental influences, instills a harsh inner critic that leads individuals to believe they are unlovable and undeserving of happiness. This internalized voice generates automatic negative thoughts that manifest as self-sabotaging and self-destructive behaviors, pushing individuals towards misery and rejection of positive experiences. People affected by the bad object often fall into categories such as masochists, eternal victims, or comfort zone addicts, each perpetuating their own suffering through maladaptive relationships and choices. Ultimately, the cycle of self-hatred and negative reinforcement creates a profound disconnect from reality, impairing one's ability to achieve happiness and fulfillment.

Transcripts Copyright © Sam Vaknin 2010-2024, under license to William DeGraaf
Website Copyright © William DeGraaf 2022-2024
Get it on Google Play
Privacy policy