Encountering someone who displays a combination of Machiavellian, narcissistic, and psychopathic behaviors can be a profoundly upsetting experience. They often leave people feeling exploited and emotionally violated, making it difficult to feel safe and trust again. Psychologists Delroy Paulhus and Kevin Williams identified this pattern as the ‘Dark Triad,’ which describes how these traits combine to form a tendency towards…
Dark Triad
PATHOLOGICAL NARCISSISM is a term used to describe a shame-based expression of the trait that manifests as an addiction to external validation. It can also be characterized by oscillations between the grandiose and vulnerable states associated with this personality type. Over time the disruptions in emotional regulation can lead to diminished psychological well-being and interpersonal functioning. How does pathological narcissism…