Episode 5, Season 7: Beyond NPD Criteria: Narcissistic Abuse, Trauma, and 'Snakes in Suits'
Dr. Robin Brody is back to tackle a critical gap in clinical training: narcissism and its devastating impact. We cut straight to the core, defining narcissism by its signature trait, entitlement, and exploring the clinical distinctions between grandiose, vulnerable, and malignant subtypes. The episode then dives into the flip side: narcissistic abuse. Learn to spot the confusing dynamics clients face, including performative empathy, denial of reality (often called gaslighting), trauma bonding through intermittent reinforcement, and the predictable cycle of idealization, devaluing, discard, and hoovering. Most crucially, we discuss the "sin" of inadequate provider training and the risk of how applying standard components of evidence-based treatment, like assertiveness skills, can tragically fail or even place survivors in danger.
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Show Notes:
Dr. Robin Brody is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Voluntary) at Weill Cornell Medicine and the founder of Dr. Robin Brody Psychological Services, a private practice specializing in the treatment of occupational trauma, PTSD, and couples therapy, and gender and sexually diverse individuals. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to helping trauma survivors, particularly those facing PTSD and moral injury.
Her expertise and demonstrated passion center on treating trauma survivors, particularly those with PTSD and moral injury. In doing so, Dr. Brody has worked with diverse populations of civilians, veterans of all branches and eras, first responders, healthcare workers, and 9/11 survivors and responders across the diagnostic and demographic spectrum. Dr. Brody started and ran an EBP for PTSD program within the World Trade Center Mental Health Program, where she trained and supervised providers in PE and CPT. Before joining Mount Sinai's World Trade Center Mental Health Program, Dr. Brody served on the faculty at Weill Cornell Medicine. In that capacity, Dr. Brody oversaw Weill Cornell's Military Families Wellness Center and worked within the Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies (PATSS), where she was a co-investigator on numerous clinical research studies involving the treatment of PTSD, particularly among frontline healthcare workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In all her efforts, Dr. Brody is committed to increasing access to, and training, in evidence-based treatments, especially for PTSD. Dr. Brody's research interests include PTSD treatment innovation and the role of shame, stigma, and identity in trauma recovery.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders
- It’s Not You, Dr. Ramani Durvasula
Calls-to-action:
- Utilize Diagnostic Frameworks: Look into the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders as a useful framework for understanding healthy personality functioning and personality disorders, including narcissism.
- Obtain additional training on NPD and narcissistic abuse
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This podcast is produced by the Center for Deployment Psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Uniformed Services University, the Department of War, or the US Government. In addition, reference to any specific company, products, processes, or services does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement by the Uniformed Services University, the Department of War, or the US Government.