Malignant (Dark Triad) Narcissist Overview Reference

*This isn't an article or essay. It is a compilation of notes, articles and research to serve as an overview or reference guide for Malignant or Dark Triad Narcissism.

**Malignant narcissism is a severe problem that isn't well understood and recognized in society. It is my goal to raise awareness of the problem so we all can become better equipped to cope, manage and hold such dangerous individuals accountable.

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder = NPD

Overview:

Jason's Note: A #malignant #narcissist, or what is colloquially referred to as a #Dark #Triad Narcissist, is an individual who meets the criteria to be diagnosed as having Narcissistic Personality disorder, who also meets the diagnostic criteria of be a #psychopath and who possesses #Machiavelli beliefs. Often the label ‘narcissist’ is used interchangeably with the Narcissistic Personality Disorder diagnosis. However, people can be narcissist’s or exhibit narcissistic behaviours but are not severe enough to warrant a personality disorder diagnosis.

Psychopathy refers to the extreme lack of the ability to have empathy and inability to see others as human beings worthy of agency. Whereas, Machiavelli beliefs mean they feel they are entitled to do and have whatever they want by any means necessary - the end justifies the means. This combination of traits can make for an incredibly dangerous individual.

"You are someone to be used – period. You're not a human who has needs. You're someone who is utile to them in whatever situation." - Dr. Les Carter

“Malignant Narcissism has been recognized as a serious condition but it has been largely ignored in psychiatric literature and research.

Malignant Narcissism is a severe personality disorder that has devastating consequences for the family and society. It requires attention within the discipline of psychiatry and the social science community. We recommend treatment in a therapeutic community and a program of prevention that is focused on psychoeducation, not only in mental health professionals, but in the wider social community.” (Malignant Narcissism: From Tales to Harsh Reality – Mila Golner-Vukov and Laurie Jo Moore)

“No matter how much you beg a narcissist to stop, they will push you past your limits until you snap, then when you do, they’ll stand back and act shocked, play the victim and claim you’re crazy.” – Lana Horowitz

Videos:

• Narcissists who are Also Psychopaths: The Dark Triad - Dr. Les Carter

• When Narcissist Become Sociopathic - Dr. Les Carter

• What you Need to Know about Sociopathic Narcissists - Dr. Les Carter

Jason’s Note: Dr. Carter may seem like he is splitting hair when distinguishing between narcissism and sociopathic traits. There is a lot of overlap. However, the overlap lies in the way we diagnose mental disorders in North America and these methodologies are not keeping up with the research. The ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision created by the World Health Organization) is the newest revision of the global standard for diagnosing all medical and health disorders. It also diagnoses Mental Health Disorders and this standard is applied everywhere in the world except in North America. Here in North America, medical professionals are required to use the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version 5). The DSM does get updated periodically however it tends to be less frequent and more conservative than the ICD. Generally the APA doesn't make big changes between revisions. What's new in the latest ICD diagnostic standard is a departure from diagnosing personality disorders (PD) in 3 clusters of 3 or 4 sub-types. The ICD instead now groups them together and assesses all the applicable traits measured on a spectrum. Naming the disorders as we do makes it easier to casually refer to and discuss the specific clusters of symptoms. However, the methodology used by the DSM focuses more labelling the traits and symptoms exhibited by patients rather than identifying the underlying cause. Diagnoses are often muddled like "Narcissistic traits secondary to Borderline Personality, and symptoms not otherwise specified." Not otherwise specified (NOS) is a catch-all PD diagnosis to acknowledge other PD-like symptoms that do not apply to the other standard sub-types (the label may have been amended slightly in the DSM-5, but the diagnostic practice and culture from the DSM-IV largely remains).

Understanding Changes In Personality Disorder Diagnosis:

• Personality Disorder Diagnoses in ICD-11: Transforming Conceptualisations and Practice – Michaela A Swales

• ICD-11 Personality Disorders: Utility and Implications of the New Model – Roger T Mulder

Malignant Narcissism, Crime and Violence:

Traits of a Malignant Narcissist Are (The Ties Between Crime and Malignant Narcissism – Psych Central):

1. Success At Any Cost. A close inspection of past relationships may show a failure to treat people kindly for the promise of a grandiose, yet superficial success. Beware of flaunted expenses, especially if there are a lack of people to share in the enjoyment.

2. Narcissists may be hypersexual, often in relation to power and control. Incest is frequently reported as well as a lack of regard for partner and boundaries.

3. Incessant Blaming. Lack of personal responsibility is a key sign. Often a narcissist will play ‘the victim’ even when he/she has hurt someone else.

4. Violence. Since their ego is so fragile to begin with, any criticism received feels like an attack. They fight back much harder than what is doled out. Someone who uses violence frequently, demonstrates lack of impulse control and may also have multiple addictions.

5. Manipulation. Pitting people against one another for the ultimate goal of loyalty is often used by narcissists. In this case, loyalty often means isolation.

6. The Dark Triad and Facebook surveillance: How Machiavellianism, psychopathy, but not narcissism predict using Facebook to spy on others – Chris Stiff

“Machiavellianism and psychopathy both predict spying on others. Machiavellianism's effect is mediated by endorsement of gossip. Psychopathy's effect is mediated by intolerance of uncertainty.” – Chris Stiff

• What Is the Dark Triad and Why Are People With These Traits So Dangerous? – Health.com

“Predatory Nature Malignant narcissists are predators. They hunt for prey and use information gathered from spying to stalk and strike. They don't just want to control you; they want to annihilate your sense of self. Overt Threats In the darkest corners of narcissism, threats and intimidation are not uncommon.” Why the Narcissist Spies on You – Narc Free

• Personality, the Dark Triad and violence – Andrea Pailing, Julian Boon and Vincent Egan

• When narcissistic Rage Ends in Murder – Fiona Guy

• Psychopathic personality disorder and cybercriminality: an outline of the issue – Lidia Perenc
  

  
  

Dark Triad and Cyber Crime:

• Careful When You Click? How the Dark Triad of Personality Can Influence the Likelihood of Online Crime Victimization – Chris Stiff and Meike Reeves

• Cybercrime’s Dark Triad – C. Warran Axelrod

• Network Scanning and Strategies of the Dark Triad – Daniel N. Jones, Edgar Padilla, Shelby R. Curtis aand, Christopher Kiekintveld

“It should be admitted that the occurrence of cyber-offenses is favored by both the specific properties of the Internet and the personality traits of the individuals who commit them. This means that relatively fast and cheap cyberspace access provided by the Internet can be used by some people to commit such offenses as theft, fraud, sending computer viruses or unauthorized misuse of someone’s data. Using the Internet in this way relates primarily to psychopaths. According to Suler (2004), cyberspace creates conditions for the creation of a specific social environment in which the lack of face-to-face contacts favors the appearance of the “disinhibition effect”. In such conditions, personality traits responsible for antisocial behavior can be enhanced, both in terms of their diversity and frequency.” – Lidia Perenc

“The first is the anonymity of cyberspace. This trait is used by a psychopath to hide or change his own identity in order to avoid responsibility for his actions. In this context, while feeling “invisible” in cyberspace, he is convinced of the low probability of being caught and exposed to criminal sanctions. Although some psychopaths may realize that online activity leaves some traces that may identify them, they think that the amount of these traces is small enough to give them anonymity and a sense of impunity. Armstrong and Forde (2003) believe that although anonymity in cyberspace is conducive to committing offenses, it should be considered at two different levels. The first level is associated with the perpetrators’ poor knowledge about the functioning of the Internet, which is conducive to committing lighter offences. On the other hand, at the second level, perpetrators with high knowledge of this kind commit crimes of a “higher weight” because they use encryption and proxy servers.” – Lidia Perenc

Understanding the Role of Cognitive Distortions and Delusions in Disordered Narcissism

Common Narcissistic Delusions Identified in the Article Above that Apply (Narcissism: Delusion, Fantasy, or Excessive Confidence? – Hope Gillette):

• delusional jealousy

• bizarre (impossible circumstances)

• persecutory (being conspired against or harassed by someone/something)

• mixed (multi-themed)

• thought broadcasting (a sense that your thoughts are projected to others)

• thought insertion (someone/something has inserted their thoughts into yours)

Because he doesn't simply exhibit the symptoms of NPD alone, his psychopathy and Machiavellian behaviours become the tentacles that extend out from his central beliefs and become the tools that take control and establish his grandiose entitlements whether they are real or perceived.

Common Cognitive Distortions that Apply:

• Polarized Thinking

• Over Generalization

• Mental Filtering

• Personalization

• Self Serving Bias

• Jumping To Conclusions

• Maximising

• Labelling

• Always Being Right

“The Web of Self-Deception:

Delusion intertwines with self-deception in the mindset of a narcissist. They construct an elaborate narrative of their own greatness, dismissing any evidence to the contrary. They seek validation and admiration from others, using it as fuel to perpetuate their delusions. Any criticism or feedback that challenges their self-perception is met with defensiveness, denial, or even rage. In their mind, they are infallible, and their fragile ego cannot tolerate any cracks in their carefully crafted facade.

Manipulative Tactics:

Delusional narcissists often engage in manipulative tactics to maintain control and power over others. They may exploit vulnerabilities, gaslight their victims, or engage in emotional manipulation to ensure their needs and desires are met. Their ability to charm and manipulate others is driven by their desire to maintain their grandiose self-image and control their environment.” - The Complexities Of A Delusional Narcissist – Bathabile Masilela

Jason’s Note: Full delusions are not always a symptom of simple NPD alone. However, cognitive distortions are. Cognitive Distortions are thoughts that cause individuals to perceive or recall reality inaccurately especially and specifically in ways that align with their interests. These symptoms often form the backbone from which all the other symptoms and harms arise. Malignant narcissists always present as as having real and pervasive delusions.

• The targets of all treachery: Delusional ideation, paranoia, and the need for uniqueness as mediators between two forms of narcissism and conspiracy beliefs – Cameron S. Kay

Malignant Narcissism and Its Impact On Society

Narcissism isn't just a personal problem or a relationship problem. It's a human problem with a malignant effect on our children, our families, our institutions, our leadership, and our collective humanity.

Narcissism is a state of alienation that turns us against ourselves and one another and weakens both the individual and the group, leaving profound trauma in its wake.

1. Narcissism is people in survival mode.

2. Narcissism may be normalized, but it isn't normal.

3. Narcissism is at the root of bigotry and other profound social problems. - Narcissism Is a Societal Cancer We Can't Afford to Ignore - Julie L. Hall