logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
22m 41s

Decoding NPD: The Critical Role of Attac...

Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D.
About this episode

In this episode, Dr. Ettensohn draws heavily on his own research concerning pathological narcissism and attachment patterns, using attachment theory as a lens to focus explanatory power onto the often confusing dynamics of NPD.

Beginning with a general overview of Bartholomew's four-prototype model of adult attachment, Dr. Ettensohn identifies the most common attachment patterns of individuals with NPD. He describes the relevant research on the development of these patterns and draws parallels with descriptions of early care deficits thought to cause pathological narcissism.

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://rb.gy/kbhusf

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/cklpum
LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS: https://rb.gy/fotpca
LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://rb.gy/g4yzh8

VISIT THE WEBSITE: https://www.healnpd.org

Cited References: Bartholomew, K. (1990). Avoidance of intimacy: An attachment perspective. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 7(2), 147-178.

Bartholomew. K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226-244.

Bennett, C. S. (2006). Attachment theory and research applied to the conceptualization and treatment of pathological narcissism. Clinical Social Work Journal, 34(1), 45-60.

Blatt, S. J., & Levy, K. N. (2003). Attachment theory, psychoanalysis, personality development, and psychopathology. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 23, 104-152.

Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and loss: Volume 2: Separation. New York: Basic Books.

Connors, M. E. (1997). The renunciation of love: Dismissive attachment and its treatment. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 14, 475-493.

Dickinson, K. A., & Pincus, A. L. (2003). Interpersonal analysis of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Journal of Personality Disorders, 17(3), 188-207.

Ettensohn, M.D. (2011). The relational roots of narcissism: Exploring relationships between attachment style, acceptance by parents and peers, and measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Dissertations and Theses: Full Text. (Publicaiton No. AAT 3515488).

Gabbard, G.O. (1989). Two subtypes of narcissistic personality disorder. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 53, 527-532.

Holdren, M. (2004). Causal attributions among overt and covert narcissism subtypes for hypothetical, retrospective, and prospective events. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Dissertations & Theses: Full Text. (Publication No. AAT 3146467).

Kernberg, O. F. (1970). Factors in the psychoanalytic treatment of narcissistic personalities. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 18, 51-85.

Kobak, R. R., & Sceery, A. (1988). Attachment in late adolescence: Working models, affect regulation, and representations of self and others. Child Development, 59, 135-146.

Main, M., & Stadtman, J. (1981). Infant response to rejection of physical contact by the mother. Journal of the American Academy of child Psychiatry, 20, 292-307.

Otway, L.J., Vignoles, V.L. (2006). Narcissism and childhood recollections: A quantitative test of psychoanalytic predictions. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32(1), 104-1116.

Pistole, C. M. (1995). Adult attachment style and narcissistic vulnerability. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 12(1), 115-126.

Scroufe, L. A., Waters, E. (1977). Heart rate as a convergent measure in clinical and developmental research. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 23, 3-25.

Smolewska, K., & Dion, K. L. (2005). Narcissism and adult attachment: A multivariate approach. Self and Identity, 4, 59-68.

Up next
Jul 2
What Narcissism Isn't: Clearing Up the Confusion
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn addresses widespread misconceptions about narcissism by clarifying what the term does not mean. Drawing on clinical examples and years of engagement with public discourse, he explores how the label “narcissist” has become a cultural catch-all ... Show More
11m 46s
Jun 18
Live with Dr. Ettensohn 6-12-25
Join Dr. Mark Ettensohn from Heal NPD for a live broadcast answering questions and responding to viewer comments. 
1h 43m
Jun 6
Do Narcissists *Really* Lack Empathy?
What does it mean to say that narcissists lack empathy? In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn challenges the common assumption that low empathy is a fixed trait in narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Drawing from psychoanalytic theory and clinical observation, he explores ho ... Show More
13m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
Transference Focused Psychotherapy & Personality Disorders with Dr. Otto Kernberg
In this episode, Dr. Otto Kernberg, a pioneer of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), discusses personality disorders through a psychoanalytic lens. Explore key insights into Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), identity diffusion, primitive defense mechanisms such as spli ... Show More
1h 28m
Feb 2025
Transference Focused Psychotherapy, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissism, with Frank Yeomans, MD
In this episode, Dr. David Puder interviews Dr. Frank Yeomans, a leading expert in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) and personality disorders, to explore the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). They discuss objec ... Show More
1h 53m
Jun 2024
lessons from the borderline (how BPD is a disorder of relationship, NOT of personality) [preview]
Borderline personality disorder is often stigmatized, with a significant number of professionals within the industry regarding borderline patients with contempt. As one psychiatrist told anthropologist Tanya Lurhmann, “if you’re talking to a patient and it feels like your interna ... Show More
28m 45s
Aug 2020
Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder
In today's episode of Mental Health // Demystified, Dr. Tracey Marks discusses another Cluster B personality disorder: Histrionic personality. Histrionic personality disorder is A pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in ... Show More
13m 21s
Jan 2025
Borderline Personality Disorder: Splitting & Identity Diffusion with Mark Ruffalo
In this episode of the Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast, Dr. David Puder is joined by Mark Ruffalo to dive deep into the complexities of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Together, they unpack Donald Burnham’s influential 1966 paper on splitting and identity diffusion, exp ... Show More
1h 44m
Jan 2024
2.6 Borderline Personality Disorder (Good Psychiatric Management)
Dr. Lois Choi-Kain, Director of the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, introduces us to borderline personality disorder (BPD). We discuss the prevalence, naturalistic course, and treatments ... Show More
1h 8m
Dec 2024
Encore - What is borderline personality disorder? With Carla Sharp, PhD
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed personality disorders, and one of the most misunderstood. Carla Sharp, PhD, of the University of Houston, discusses how BPD is diagnosed, defined and treated, how family members can help children and ad ... Show More
37m 32s
May 2024
Do You Have Aspergers Or Narcissism This is how YOU know
Welcome to "Understanding Personality: Asperger's vs. Narcissism." In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the distinctions between Asperger's Syndrome and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, providing valuable insights to help listeners differentiate between the two ... Show More
6m 17s
May 21
Narcissist vs. Dismissive Avoidant: 9 Crucial Differences You Must Know
Get Free Access to All of My Attachment & Relationship Courses This Mental Health Awareness Month. Start Your 14-day Trial Now and Complete a Course Before the Offer Ends! https://attachment.personaldevelopmentschool.com/mha-month?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=mha-month&utm_med ... Show More
1 h
Jul 2023
The Struggle: Borderline Personality Disorder Pt5
Dr. Phil discusses borderline personality disorder and the impact it can have on people's lives. Labels are important for communication and understanding when it comes to therapy and treatment. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability ... Show More
52m 27s