Don't Waste Your Love on the Narcissist (Conference Presentation)

[@polarvortex3294]

No one gets deeper into what's really going on in people's minds than Sam Vaknin.

[@lainiewarren3911]

So he’s adapted his Mother’s narcissism and lives in her fake world with her. It’s the saddest life. Tragic.

[@nicolemarie7684]

I think this is one of the most concise videos to sum up a narcissist.

[@lanahyde7588]

Do not waste your love! Amen!

[@OlympianVenus]

This blocking, unblocking, hot and cold, punishment is really heartbreaking. It has taken a toll on me. He doesn’t care even. I wish I knew how to forget him. I can’t be cruel to him like he’s to me.

[@faithing88]

I told him I loved him he said thank you 😂😂😂

[@jackz_stoned_again]

Same😅

[@kiwicatnip]

Mine would do the same thing lol. or when I would give him a kiss or show him affection he would fire off this deadpan/sarcastic “thank you” instead of reciprocating the affection.😂

[@nataliemikhail9136]

😮😂😂😂😢 sick

[@rllewis12]

Probably one of his best videos. It really explains the condition.

[@lealea6020]

It's tragedy for a child to become a narcissist - very sad that the child could not get love and is so afraid that he cannot get real connection in later life. On the other hand it's also a tragedy for the person that dates the narcissist. I think there should be more education about love and parenting, and how early years and being loved are so important for psyche and child development.

[@panfried7566]

small wonder why NOTHING you do works for the narcissist. there is always, ALWAYS, something wrong ... with you, what you think, what you do or not do, everything. Yet, we keep trying without ever realizing it was futile, from the start. thanks. doc.

[@polarvortex3294]

You are very right. I think that, in the eyes of a narcissist, the ideal state for a partner, child, subordinate, etc., is a kind of worried and apologetic mind-set, with the person scrambling to make amends and not disappoint or anger the narc further. This results in a pleasant focus on meeting the narcs needs, and takes the spotlight off of the narcs own disgusting sins and cruelty. So you can never really please the narc or meet their standards. He doesn't want to be pleased and will always move the goal-posts or start an argument if you actually approach perfection.

[@margaretjohnson1401]

What a curse child abuse is, the burden of the void inside plus internalised hatred, doomed to a world barren of relationships. Maybe this is a reason narcissists are successful in their fields, what else is there for them? I understand what you say. It is such a shame.

[@renarich4942]

Let’s not be to sympathetic. There were choices made by the narc to end up like a narc even though they may not realise. One blight of the conscience after another renders it completely seared in the end.

[@danielasalvini4572]

These are theories, hypotheses that are impossibile to be proven or disproved. There might even be opposite dynamics resulting in similar exterior outcomes and as we cannot penetrate the inner motifs of other people actions we are left with facts. Now, when observing faking, acting, lying and even (secretly) sadistic attitudes towards intimate partners, all I can think of is a kind of primitive predatory attitude deprived of any compassion, similar to what we observe in animals. Lack of empathy and love are not necessarily reactive. As they are in themselves "unnecessary annoyances" to a narcissist, who considers himself privileged and superior for not falling for such stupidity and for having fooled you, common banal boring and mortal human being.

[@SPR2182]

The narcissist is the greatest victim. This video humanizes him and show how sorryful his life is.

[@chriswiebers1135]

Thanks I needed to hear that because I almost was willing to do anything for her yet again. 😂 I am always forgetting to give up hope.

[@nicolemarie7684]

Your last sentence is painful but also one I'm going through at the moment so I get it. Turn that hope inward towards YOUR bright future with someone who will reciprocate what you bring or one of solitude without the cruelty of being strung along. Protect your peace of mind and heart.

[@nahidkaramali3823]

You are not the only one.

[@thoriumpionfusiondielectri6142]

This hope piece is hard bc Star Wars always teaches us that good wins

[@777Honeypie]

That's so funny! I'm going to remember not to forget to give up hope! That cheers me up a lot 😂 I like that! 😁

[@SarrenGames]

The last time I told her "I love you," her response was, "I'm glad you think so." (This was in the context of sharing deeply in a caring manner in couple's therapy). Sad to see how applicable the wisdom in this video are...

[@rubberbiscuit99]

Once again you explain the essential and fundamental difference between the mind of a narcissist and the mind of a non-narcissist. It is so important to keep this difference in top of mind.

[@kimberlyfloyd1009]

Listening to this makes me so grateful I had such a loving mother. I know my narc ex husband's mom was like ICE! But she coddled him and he was the "golden boy" so I am not sure what that means when his mother is still doing his laundry at 45 years old. I think it's like we see how love can heal, they see it as negative. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I never understood why they keep wanting to be in relationships that they literally know they will sabotage. They should seriously go into a mental hospital and stay away from decent human beings.

[@B-Nia]

👍👍👍👍

[@pelqel9893]

They conciously enter into relationships seeking supply (positive attention), but subconciously in order to play out the mother-child separation drama that they were never able to do with their real mothers. Hence the abusive devaluing and discard phase.

[@OlympianVenus]

@@pelqel9893you described it well. Mine would block me on every app for days without caring about my feelings.

[@kimberlyfloyd1009]

@@josephsworldoftaekwondo5059 great relationship with my own mother. No relationship with my father, who cheated on my mother (his wife)... So, I believe my own father was a narcissist, and had very little to do with me and my sister growing up. That was probably a big part of it!

[@brigitte2217]

Can't stop crying 😢😢😢mich love from Germany ❤

[@anastasiamarinaki8465]

❤

[@vnd629]

❤

[@yvetteholt4329]

It's a self fulfilling prophecy

[@kimberlyfloyd1009]

It's so depressing for them! At least we can heal from this abuse and have the real authentic capacity to LOVE someone.

[@juiceknot]

Wow! That explains my marriage & divorce. Wow. From the beginning my spider senses were tingling about her relationship with her mother. Who knew it would take 20 years for Professor Vaknin to clear this up for me. Thank you 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾

[@Awiserversion]

This was the most helpful video I have seen explaining so much that I have witnessed and been through with a narcissist. Detected child like behavior that puzzled me. Everything you mentioned I experienced. Now I really understand why my Love was rejected, why they told me they hated intimacy, the ghosting, the rages, seems like they were always running from something, chasing Happiness that they never could find and trying to Love them was a waste of my time. Thank you

[@alexpeppa1750]

"My" narc. had emphasized to me the "privilege" I had of being among the very few (5, he said) women who passed through his life that he "ALLOWED" to hold HIM (meaning that HE MADE THEM FELL the need of doing it )in their arms for a while, after sex . And that meant A LOT to him, he said. Usually, he said,(the rest, that were many) HE was keeping them in his arms, in order "to get rid of them quickly"(!) Needless to say, I felt quite shocked by this little confession of his. Then I asked him which number among the "lucky ones" I was, in chronological order. She answered "the third". All I could find to answer was that 3, has always been my lucky number. 🙂 However, this seemingly small shock, shook me so instantly, that I finally severed my Gordian emotional bond with him. A huge relief after all, because he proved (beyond any doubt) who he was. Thank you Dr Vaknin, once again. You're absolutely right. No more "betting on lame horses".

[@BrendaPenton]

I was with one for 2 years as a teen and he abandoned me to another country out of the blue. Then tried to get me back over 20 years several times. When he did succeed and come back to my own country he was different, he had different expectations, tested me, distrusted me, and I reacted badly going into my own psychotic break. It resulted in reactive abuse and I sought revenge. Yet he asked "why are you like this with me and no one else?". It was because I could be me with everyone else and even when he left as a teen, but his other divorces afterwards he distrusted and had the same expectations on me since they used him and manipulated him. Now I know. I am me again after I sent him back. Now I am the abuser in his mind, the one that couldn't be trusted after he said he trusted me. I know now the BS. I wasn't them. I was me but couldn't be. Thank you for explaining this. It all makes sense.

[@TheVerbalAssassinFAFO]

This is stunning commentary because its exactly what I have believed all along and often said to friends and him: He won't LET me love him. Him not loving ME was painful. . .him not letting me love HIM, is excruciating. Yes, its way worse, Vaknin. Its profoundly frustrating. He still drives by my home in the early mornings though. I catch him from time to time. 😢

[@jackz_stoned_again]

That l loved him with all my being at one time and he treated it as suspect and dangerous baffled me..

[@user-qv1cd6sp6v]

God this explains so much.Whenever the narcissist showed any emotion,he had to follow it up either with triangulation or devaluation of some sort.I could not understand why he was so afraid to show his vulnerable side.This video explained it all.Thank you ,Professor

[@ld9862]

OMG when we were first married my ex did not want to hold hands or put his arm around me. Finally an explanation. I did not realize it was a red flag. Quite an amazing observation Dr. Sam.

[@mauj2844]

Narcissism = Fear . I keep coming back to listen to your lectures Prof Vaknin because I simply like your voice 🫶🏼. Thank You for your work .

[@nicolemarie7684]

I tend to look past their crimes and see the damage done to them as children and THAT'S what angers me most. Even through rage, I just see damaged children. But in order to survive, I have to shut this down and deal with the adult in front of me.

[@faithing88]

I did the same thing wanting to see the child, nurture the and that dang Chucky child hurt me so badly 😂😂😂

[@nicolemarie7684]

@faithing88 Oh no doubt! I gotta toughen up and realize it's him or me.

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

It's pretty obvious to me it was a me or him thing after a while

[@nicolemarie7684]

@LeahDyson-kq4bd Yeah Leah, after the things this one's said to me lately, I'm there. Blocked. 😮‍💨😒

[@madamebertrand]

"there's no such thing as love, there's only some proofs" i heard this so many times ...

[@ColinKuan]

"I don't need you, go away, see if I care, be with someone else, I don't give a damn..." And then it's on to the next one to drain the life out of. It's an irony when the narcissist is so dependent on external validation.

[@777Honeypie]

Your description of conquering love in order to survive without it is beautiful. That love is that powerful and complex both breaks my heart and reminds me of loves joy.

[@RelaxRestoreReleaseRestart]

Hello, to my favorite lecturer on KZbin! I believe what you say about them being uncomfortable with being loved....or even liked. I had seen this person twice, and I gave him a hug when he was leaving my place. He said, "I don't know about you, I feel like you might love me or something,." I asked him how can I love him when I had only seen him twice. He said, "I don't know, but it seems like you love me." I am not sure if he didn't know what love really is, or if he was just using the word to mean "like." Another time, we were talking, and somehow having some affection for him came up. He said, "Don't have too much affection for me, I'm not like that." I said to see him, and have him at my home, and to be intimate with him, of course, I have some affection for him. I said you have been at my place many times, you like me to some extent then, right? :::crickets::: As I always say, NO RESPONSE IS A RESPONSE. Very strange interactions with him. Never really could figure him out. Some of the things he would just blurt out were unfounded and perplexing. His emotional depth seemed shallow if that makes sense.

[@asher6047]

Sounds more like ASD

[@roushmustang100]

When I told mine I loved her she answered "really?" But her description of having been in love before threw me off - I entered the "relationship" carrying the premise that she was normal, in that she was capable of love.... which was all just camouflage.

[@mariaseidi4023]

Love 💣

[@cameogutierrez3466]

I got the same response. Then the fake I love you followed.

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

I entered the relationship with the premise that she was normal.....gotcha!

[@mjohn441]

This is the exact dynamic in my relationship. Thank you for explaining this in detail, Mr. Vaknin! I couldn't make sense of what was happening to me. Thank you for your insight, you have literally saved my life.

[@jennyborisova4780]

Professor Vaknin, I just want to say a big- Thank you for the work you do - it has helped me immensely in understanding and excepting some of the most difficult circumstances and people in my life! The way you explain these issues is so clear and in dept. What you are doing is very important to me and many - Thank you!

[@suelong9523]

Oh noes, I am becoming a narcissist? After almost a half century on this planet, I have come to rhe conclusion that love is a stupid game or doesn't exist. And I am finally happy and free in that knowledge

[@BluetarES7]

15:54 2B human is to endure loss, to be immersed in a marasma of hurt 😢❤and the anticipation of the worst catastrophe. THANK You Sam

[@vk101a]

One of your best, most impactful videos.

[@elisa9359]

Prof Vaknin, many thanks for your videos...this one sums it up perfectly ! It helps to let him go....

[@ewelinka8744]

I am familiar with that. The filling of rejection is most painful.

[@mec.laurapalmer7155]

You are my comfort zone Professor. Your lectures sooth me. I closed myself to avoid toxicity some time ago and it seems I was the toxicity oftentimes. Not capable to be with people. At least I learn the alphabet of this collapse. I hope one day Ill recover. ❤

[@polinap8027]

Wow, this is so deep and so clear, I am fascinated by this lecture! Bravo👏👏👏

[@marijagrunauer6631]

Brilliant!

[@danibiss]

Dear Professor, can you make a video about the narcissist's relationship with his mother as an adult? For example, my narcissistic ex has done everything you've said, but when he discarded me, his mother was there to enable him and literally take him home with her. So it seems like this inability to separate as you describe is mental, but also physical. And it also seems like the Dead Mother is not a set of behaviors in early childhood, but a lifelong relationship. I'm very curious about how it develops after age 2-3, where you often focus. Thank you again for your brilliant work.

[@tracystewart1469]

Emotional incest….please research this.

[@PeterShaw-ne1yq]

When I paid her a compliment she groaned and doubled up as if punched her in the belly; a few days later I offered some personal help for her son, whereupon she shouted at me she didn't want it and stomped off! She clearly read my overtures and offers as a threat as you outlined above🤔

[@suzystone244]

Performance. The representative man. Mine as well be married to a hologram. The divorce is going on at the fourth month. Recovery from from a narcissist takes real work.

[@joycefiore2721]

How are you doing now? It is a shock to your system.. there are aftereffects.

[@YIE63248]

If someone was talking about “putting more love into the world” but who exhibited a lot of narc traits… I wonder if he was more borderline?

[@samvaknin]

Or faking it.

[@Phoenix_mAyB]

My ex always talked of importance of empathy compassion in human beings lives. He talked of how he cares about people and that he cares even about the strangers. But in reality he only dealt with people who could benefit to his existence and he was the one who talked of empathy but always dismissed and labelled my emotions as too sensitive when i tried to convey the hurt he was causing in me.

[@dilfuzakhaydarova2859]

Thank you so much Dear Professor for interesting video ❤

[@jenfeler]

Thank you Dr. Vaknin, beautiful as usual. 🤍

[@nathlete87]

I’m not one to leave comment, but this video is so healing. Saved.

[@johnho9393]

So Powerful. Thank you PSV.

[@ritafarruggio2025]

Such a Truth Sam

[@majorsolutionsllc]

Amazing explanation and clarity here.🔥🔥🔥

This is powerful and thank you sincerely for liberating us

[@mimi42428]

Thanks for this video. It has come at the right time for me

[@kristentiveron4756]

I understand you easily. Thank you for the great information x

[@Phoenix_mAyB]

Wasted 2 years. Not anymore.

[@violaymaite17]

Thanks Dr Sam

[@elstal22]

When you see these signs in a 17 yr old son, it is hard to know if it is an adolescent struggle that will pass, how if at all a parent can make up for the past and be more available in the present, and if one’s efforts are actually making things worse.

[@katrina3560]

Have you explored therapy for him? My heart is with you Mama

[@elstal22]

Yes, and antidepressants. He’s off them now, and has quit therapy.

[@katrina3560]

I'm sorry to hear that you feel helpless in helping your son. I hope you can find some guidance, as I am not versed enough to be helpful, I won't pretend I have answers. I just want you to know I empathize with you. Have you sought therapy for yourself? Maybe some help could be found there with coping and managing your own stress and heartache concerning your son.💜

[@elstal22]

@@katrina3560 thanks for your kind words. I am doing EMDR therapy and recently did a week long therapy retreat in Jamaica centered around taking hallucinogenic mushrooms. Both have been very helpful in healing my own past trauma and being in a strong healthy frame of mind so I can be my best self for my son however he shows up.

[@narcissismexposed1014]

This is so powerful, thank you sir💯🙏🏾

[@rubberbiscuit99]

Very enlightening explanation. Thank you! I would like to hear what you have to say about how a psychopath views love.

[@samvaknin]

He doesn't.

[@GoogleUser-kl7qu]

Great one!

[@NoName-ph5pg]

Strange thing is even those guys I dated who had seemingly healthy families and loving moms, they still behaved like they don't need any love, and acted like Narcissists. So.... I guess it's some sort of modern- day fashion to act like this

[@samvaknin]

Watch the contemporary sexuality playlist. It is invulnerability signaling.

[@EduUy2024]

Muchas gracias Sam.

[@thoriumpionfusiondielectri6142]

Thank you

Professor- Thank you so much for all you do. Can you please shed insights into a narcissistic relationship with another narcissist (Overt/covert etc). Thank you in advance!

[@samvaknin]

Search the channel for "odd couple".

[@crystal-g2g]

Thank you

[@objektiv3039]

Dr. Vaknin, how is psychopathic grandiosity different from narcissistic grandiosity besides not being dependent on external sources of admiration? Do psychopaths also consider themselves gods or do the just think that they were the best? And do they have a false self, to which they refer in the third person singular?

[@samvaknin]

The psychopath’s narcissistic supply is self-supply.

[@aidend3423]

very well put

[@spacevspitch4028]

I can definitely identify with the deep self hatred and feeling unworthy of love, hideously ugly, and that love always ends in excruciating pain and abandonment. But I haven't been able to construct a reliable "false self". I don't have that armor of a false self that the narcissist has. That "bad object" self perception is VERY conscious to me. Yet, I can identify with many of the traits described surrounding the narcissist's views on love. As far as being deeply suspicious and untrusting of the validity of others who claim to love me. Because at least a couple times now, I've had women that claimed to love me SO deeply and "forever" and all that crap who in the end, abandoned me anyway. But it's extremely easy for me to admit that I'm not perfect. I constantly apologize for my mistakes and even things I didn't do. I'm always willing to own up to my mistakes and genuinely feel deep, long lasting remorse for wrongs I've committed toward others that I care about (which has resulted in lifelong chronic depression and suicidal ideation). I don't in any way think of myself as "God like". Lastly, I definitely am very aware of and can easily admit my need and desire for genuine, deep, passionate love. Real love, that's caring, compassionate, understanding, accepts the other's humanity and faults, etc. So yeah, I can see myself in some of this but I just feel like I have way more self awareness and ability to connect to others on a deep vulnerable level.

[@YouMarch308]

This is all true. I hate love and I don’t want anyone to loved me I want to love myself only but we want someone to let us feel we existed. We are dreaming we want someone/participants in our dreams.

[@ezra4518]

Are you a narcissist?

[@YouMarch308]

@@ezra4518 secret

[@Mimi-rs9cr]

Sounds a bit similar to Cptsd behaviour due to trauma, neglect, abandonment. This doesn’t mean, in my humble opinion that all trauma survivors become a patological narcissist. In fact, Cptsd can be cured, narcissistic personality disorder, I don’t know.

[@Mandolin523]

I was the oldest, scapegoat and abused by overt dark traid parent but the lack of love she had I gave and had to develop as I took care of all her children. I became super codependent and working still to stop it. I think I did see what love wasn't from my mother but in another sense it could've been trauma bonding as I raised, protected and also felt obligated. I also was only given worth as a great sister, til my mom started triagulating them when older and I left finally after abuse. She blamed me bc the police came to our home and took us when a teacher noticed my bruising and signs. So then i was the enemy. She even took away my full ride scholarship to college. Its sad.

[@narsisghe3958]

Hi, Thanks for the video, question: the material figure that we are referring to, can it be a combination of 2 or multiple people? For example the baby that has a mom and a grandma that are in charge or babies that were grown with a mother and a mother in law ( stable, present mother roles, not temporary) How does this mother figure merges in the baby's mind? Or Is it only one person that the baby creates this bond with?

[@samvaknin]

Yes.

[@meci_khan3027]

Would this apply in any way to the covert borderline? Or does his 'good object' defend him from these difficulties? Thank you once again, Professor Sam Vaknin. Your insight is invaluable.

[@samvaknin]

Watch the covert borderline playlist.

[@dobrza_anka5986]

So sad !

[@babycakesweetiepie77]

Is there no hope for a narsasist. Should they just end the pain?

[@BG-fv7gj]

Are there any videos dealing with affairs? Do they live happily ever after? My husband seems to be giving his affair partner intimacy and love and all the resources (divorce is pending). Any videos that go into the affair dynamics?

[@samvaknin]

Search the playlists.

[@osage2139]

From listening to countless videos, no they won’t. She will soon get all that you did and maybe worse because of his guilt and shame.

[@debbyjoy3]

Sam , are they aware that they are in pain..?? or is the defence ..the false self who they are now as adults ? I am in pain , tryig to understand if my husband killed himself in pain....or in his ever present anger.

[@samvaknin]

Search the channel for "injury", "mortification", and "suicide".

[@suzannecoslove]

Why would a narcissist commit and stay with some longer than others?

[@samvaknin]

Search the channel for “stability” island.

[@asher6047]

Wow

[@sophiepapoutsaki6480]

since he doesn't care at all for his intimate partner , can you give me a hinge why he threatens his wife that after divorce if she finds somebody else he will hurt her ? (economical first)

[@samvaknin]

Search the channel for "hoover".

[@debbyjoy3]

Can you not tell them they are not bad..not worthless ? Is there no way to change that message to them. To let them know they are safe with you

[@samvaknin]

No.

[@debbyjoy3]

The voice in my head, the guilt and shame of failing him. Him hanging himself 42 days ago. I dont want to be a victim/casualty. How could I not see this , for 28 years. The denial and refusal to see how my lifelong trauma played into my self destruction. The sadistic , horrific way he chose to punish me..even in his death. I want to recover. I want to stop blaming myself. You are keeping me alive Sam..I cant tell you how thankful I am that you are here.

[@misspeach3755]

@@debbyjoy3I am so sorry for what you've been through, but please, don't waste your admiration on another narcissist (Prof. Vaknin). He won't hear you. God hears you and sees all of your tears. He's bought our freedom from shame and guilt by giving His only begotten son. May you find peace and rest and freedom from the demons of torment.

[@allanhyberg8012]

Is it somewhat the same for Borderline ?

[@samvaknin]

No.

[@superfields1194]

totally subjected too many tests and innuendo's gas lighting, waste of my time!

[@grabyourmail]

Wow! Amazing video! Your videos are top notch. Thank you.

[@Gorgeous69R]

Are borderlines the same with narcissists?

[@samvaknin]

Search the BPD palylist.

[@Prwells21]

Thank you