Bipolar Disorder and Narcissism: Don't Confuse the Two
2016 ж. 9 Қар.
35 330 Рет қаралды
Bipolar disorder and Narcissism can resemble one another, but they're not the same at all. Here's how to tell the difference. Watch.
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Sam Vaknin's Malignant Self Love--Narcissism Revisited Homepage | goo.gl/iFakvT
Misdiagnosing Narcissism: Bipolar I Disorder | goo.gl/YiRzCi
Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited | goo.gl/pTLwpq
Narcissism, Narcissistic Personality Disorder With Sam Vaknin Playlist | goo.gl/c87ciS
Abuse, Abusive Relationships Playlist | goo.gl/9mVERd
In-depth Bipolar Disorder Information | goo.gl/OeYY1v
In-depth Narcissism Information | goo.gl/XhCEeR
In a manic phase, everything is alive, everything is possible, buying all that I need to start a business is exciting... then the drop. It's horrible. Not only do I have the guilt of doing it again and remembering the last time, and all the credit card charges, the inner voice of a conditioning psychotic mother haunts me as well. At least in a mania, I can lose myself in euphoria, but in depression, I can't lose myself at all.
You've got courage... Keep a good support system.... self-forgiveness is 👑... You're awesome regardless of anything inside or outside of you... Treatment meds therapy are essentials...
@@DrJT-ly3vr Thank you, Doctor. You are correct, and I do take meds, they don't always stop the swings, my mania has a mind of its own. lol, but yes, I've learned over the years how critical these things are to keep level. Thank you again. B.
My ex had bipolar disorder. Bipolar and narcissism are definitely entirely different. When he experienced mania he thought everything was magical and he could change the world for the better. Of course, his world-changing projects cost money, so he would lose his temper and roar at me. Then I would (unhelpfully) let out my anger by laughing at him, calling him names and yelling back. I've got adhd myself, so I know what it's like to not be in control of your impulses. He was overwhelmed by his anger like a puppet pulled by strings. It really was best to get away as soon as I could. Someone with bipolar disorder can learn to manage their condition, but it might take years, or they might spend a lifetime fighting it, not really in control. He sought help but wasn't on the right medication or given the medical care he needed and it wasn't worth banking on him suddenly snapping out of his delusions. His disease abused me and I always think it's important to empathise with someone when you're in danger. That way you can either gain the upper hand or get away. He wasn't a narcissist and it wouldn't help to label him one. If someone with bipolar disorder is labelled something they aren't, especially something shaming like narcissism, they're less likely to get the right treatment, which isn't good for anyone they come into contact with.
This reassures me. I often feel guilt when I am hypomanic and often question whether I am actually a nice person.
Thank you for sharing, Parker. I'm glad you found some comfort in the video.
this is really interesting. My mother is bipolar and I know she feels no guilt at all and has a lot in common with a narcissist during her manic episodes. I often wonder how much of what she does and says is the disease and how much is her personality... When you're manic, do you ever apologize or do you feel incapable of empathy?
@@valhalla1240 when I'm manic I never apologize. When I come down to depression then I see who I have hurt. That's the fate of this illness.
@@Amandax-tx6yb hmmm so if she never apologizes, not even during episodes of depression... is that just her personality then?
@@valhalla1240 it must be. Or she has alot of pride
This made complete sense. You are so right about a Manic Phase in Bi-Polar resulting in a Hospitalization. A Manic Phase in Bi-Polar can lead to a severe panic attack if not treated with medications.
I had too many panic attacks in one year Im I bipolar ??
Either way narcissist or bipolar. they treat people like shit. It’s one of the only disorders where the people who have it rarely need care , but the people around them that they devastated need care For psychological problems brought on by dealing with these people...
THIS right here is why mental health stigma remains a thing.
@@LilKing420s I wouldn't pay that thing any attention, it doesn't know any better.
I am sorry but Idk why I find this comment funny SSHDJHDJ H I AM LEVITATING
@hiraldo mcgoo so you're basically a narcissistic.
I know some people with BP and they're not as toxic as people with cluster B I know.
I liked that he gave many differences between the two, to build a clearer picture about which category a person belongs to.
Exactly what i was looking for!
Totally true! I was diagnosed narcissist when I was actually manic!!!
I met a narc bipolar, he was a monster. I had. A mental breakdown end of month 3. Don’t even bother
I believe that this is what my new husband has...it confuses me because I have seen him have empathy....I love him but it's driving me crazy when he's manic
Yes :(
Yes. Same here. He is unipolar. Only ever gets manic or hypermanic, never gets depressed. I'm sure he's a narcissist.
This answered so many questions I've had about my bipolar husband. Thank you so much!
I’ ve been diagnosed as bipolar at 17. But within years that switched to borderline. Sometimes I’m schizoid, psychopath, even sociopath. But nothing is worse than that anxiety that freezing me for the last 5 years. That’ s new. I’ m tired of myself.
I know it sounds ridiculous but I went through something similar and then my daughter went through it and they're seeming to come out with more information about this tying where anxiety can be produced by biochemical imbalances in the gut... They used to call it the second brain but now they're kind of thinking it's just one brain and something like 70 to 80% of the neurotransmitters are produced in the gut not the cerebrum... Plus my daughter and I had to take a bunch of anti-infective things to kill off bacteria yeast mold fungus, etc... Mostly natural but some pharmaceutical... All I can say is I never in the world would have thought that anxiety had anything to do with my gut and now it's the first thing I check if I ever getting any sense of anxiety. And when it's being caused by something like that in the gut which just doesn't go away no matter what your thought and feelings are. .. So now if I feel anxiety first I might take a Benadryl for allergy reactions in the gut to see if that helps... Then if not might try some anti-infective compounds...
@@DrJT-ly3vr thank you, your answer it’ s not weird. My daughter isn’ t diagnosed as bipolar but she’ s in therapy since 16 too. And yes, maybe it’ s due to some other issues. I will get checked for gut too. Thank you very much. 🙏🏻🧿💙
Thank you. That was very informative.
Absolutely brilliant. This has made so much clear to me. Thankyou
I have BP II. and also really bad ADHD. I can't take stimulants so I'm untreated ADHD and it's awful. I have rage episodes and they mirror narc rage but it's more of a frustration tolerance/anxiety/lack of regulation. The stimulants take away the rage and agitation and anger real fast! I become so calm. Regardless, I often relate to the 0-100 anger spells of a narc. People really underestimate the emotional dysregulation in ADD.
YESSS HEIGHTENED EMOTIONAL RESPONSE IS SO REAL! Joy becomes euphoria, sadness becomes despair, anxiety becomes terror, anger becomes rage! It's a hell of a roller-coaster ride, I can tell you that for free! And I just have combined ADHD. (Impulsivity + hyperactivity) Now combine that with bipolar??! That's like putting a bull in a China shop...on roller skates...
@@purplerain0517 😮
@@franceshaggitt3104 ...um... Yesss? Uh oh. Is this the part where you say something horrible? Please don't... I'm a sensitive soul right now in my life.
There’s that one person I know, that would render even the expert speechless. She has shown so many characteristics of both conditions that almost drove me ( as a friend) crazy. And I’m not referring to the overlapping ones, but rather the ones that are supposed to be the differentiating factors. My problem: I didn’t how to treat her. I chose to run and the “No Contact” ploy, thus choosing sing to react to the narcissism. But what if she was a bipolar? If I knew that this was the case, I would have definitely left some bridges. I wouldn’t have been abrupt, judgemental and I wouldn’t have gotten into a violent dispute. And certainly, I wouldn’t feel like a probable selfish jerk now, even years later.
My sibling is wildly both. They were cruel in childhood so I had minimal contact as an adult and that's when much of the grandiosity showed. When they were diagnosed/medicated for bipolar they also were for ADHD. They began abusing their adhd meds and I believe this masks some of the differentiating symptoms i.e not sleeping for days at a time. They definitely are both. Distinctly. I watched it all my life. And by contrast was married to a "pure" narcissist. Don't feel bad. It's entirely likely for a person to be both. I'm now no contact. After a massive violent incident in public. At the age of 44. So cut yourself a break. Just my experience, I hope it helps a little.
I'll add that I truly believed that the problematic behavior would go away once they were in treatment for the bipolar. Only certain aspects of it did. It took being married to and subsequently divorced from a narcissist, and then getting extensive therapy for narcissistic abuse to even realize what had been happening all those years. It's a big, tangled, toxic mess. And it wasn't your responsibility to untangle.
This was very helpful to me. Thank you so much!!
Why can't NPD exist WITH Bipolar 1 disorder? My husband's depression stage of his bipolar is never very deep. Though he may not leave the house for months, he maintains his immense sense of entitlement. But when manic, he is (as he states) "God's Warrior" ... and everyone must pay.
okay the god's warrior part is scary... but I was wondering the same thing. My mom strikes me as bipolar but she also has a lot in common with a narcissist. Even during her depression... she'll use it against people and makes others feel bad for asking her to do something. She'll make a big act out of simply having to get out of bed, she'll drag one leg behind her, even though she has no injuries etc. just to make you feel like shit for asking her anything. Even in her depression it's all about her. She's never loving or giving or at least apologizing. But she is also clearly bipolar, because she has these intense mood swings and irrational money spending, irrational life-plans, can't keep a job, is confused, loses her sense of reality etc.
I just watched an Angie Atkinson video on this, and she said it's rare but can occur co-morbidly.
I have BP 1 and i cannot exist with narcs. The difference is that although I have periods of mania and my brain goes in overdrive and i have that grandiose feeling...I'm HYPER aware of other ppls feelings and i actually do care about everyone around me to the point i will completely isolate myself from everyone until I calm down from the mania. Right now I'm alone in a hotel room and nobody knows where I am even though I call and contact my family to an extent. Stress makes me manic...my family stresses me out and i also have social anxiety. It's a difficult existence to be extremely honest.
@@MagickalMermaid Thank you for your comment. Peace and Love to you right now where ever you are.
It can. A personality disorder can exist with any number of other mental illnesses. watch out tho because that combo is gunna be terrifying.
This was good.. thank you.
and of course, I have known far too many narcissists.
I'm the son of a diagnosed true bipolar. I'm a narcissist. I noticed my father is exactly as you describe, and likewise for me. His episodes of depression are debilitating and his coordination suffers also during these phases. In contrast, I am never suicidal or anhedonic. I noticed something about bipolar that you might be aware of or may not: the episodes are of course triggered by time and neurochemistry; periods of 2 or 3 weeks. However, there are triggering events for the bipolar, that may lead to a sped up manic or depressive phase.
extremely good collection of poins
This such a helpful video
This seems pretty helpful... I have a sister that I can almost certainly proclaim is both bipolar AND narcissistic. But you very clearly point out ssome key differences that most people vaguely or unclearly put their finger on.
We're glad Mr. Vaknin could help you with that. He's a valuable resource on narcissism.
Z G yes especially when he mentions differences, such as, the narcissistic patients being very active with work, church and community, rarely really self harming/hospitalized, while the bipolar patient struggles in those areas. i am diagnosed with bipolar and panic disorder, while i also believe my sister and father are narcissists. both can mood swing for no reason at all, belittle people in front of strangers to make themselves look and feel good, as well as making up alot of lies to people to make themselves appear a certain way. lol.im glad i cut them out of my life!
Z G its strange to me because both my father and sister (like one of the comments below mention) act like they are "God's warrior" lol. very big churchy people but secretly very very mean and judgmental individuals
Interesting how the bipolar patient automatically became female and the narcissist male...
Thank you! It’s a misconception that narcissism is only a male trait. There are actually a lot more female narcs than male narcs. I grew up with a family full of narcs. The females are just covert narcs. So they are a lot harder to spot. But every narc gives themselves away at some point.
I thought it was the only one that noticed that 😂
I noticed the same thing
Actually i think i know a bipolar guy, he has no control during the mood swings at all
He has since acknowledged studies showing that narcissism occurs equally in males and females. I think he still uses the pronouns for clarity when he talks about narcs vs. Bipolars or borderlines in the same train of thought or line of discussion.
Thank you very much for this comparison of BP and NPD. My husband has been diagnosed as BP for 31 years now. But two years ago, it made me question whether he is really BP or NPD.
I have had similar thoughts. I have had to remind myself of what he was like when not manic. As he has aged he doesn't care to control the mania and so we can no longer live together. Tragic
Thank you
Hi Sir. New subscriber here. Thank you thank you thank you for this information...as I needed to understand this difference. I've married to my beautiful wife for 7+ years and it's been hell in trying to know what's happening. Also, I shared this video, I hope is ok with you.
Wonderful!
My husband blacks out and starts screaming at his dead mother when screaming at me when he has hypermaniacal rages that terrifiy me. Is this bipolar? Please help
I appreciate your perception of those with Bipolar Disorder, and am in agreement with the analysis of Bipolar Disordered individuals having a different reaction and feeling remorse for any grandiosity or delusional thinking during manic episodes. I have bipolar 1 disorder. I do have a couple questions. Regarding pressured speech, if the narcissist is covert, and has ADHD or is a drug abuser of methamphetamines, could this then change that? Especially during a narcissistic rage? Also, concerning a covert narcissist, can they actually have a complete distaste for associating with those of high status? Lastly, what advice would you give an individual who desired to become a narcissist? I know someone who thinks that due to their high level of intelligence, that he can become a narcissist like his father, but better... I think if you were born with, and have, high amounts of empathy, this could be quite damaging, psychologically speaking. Curious as to what your thoughts might be.
Amazing video with clarity. My Nars and BP person is difficult to figure out. She told me her exhusband had Nars Manic Depression, which she really was telling me what she had. Is it possible to have both?
On point
Sam I no this is a old video. Is there any updates on your information on this subject. Like the affects on a bipolar disorder person being in a relationship with a Narcissistic person and how this could impact on the symptoms getting worse, plus how the bipolar disorder could be used against the person, for example gass lighting, " sure your crazy " .
Very bery interestiteresring. I have a question. A person who got a nipolare diagmost but the Liyhium medication doesm y work, could it be a sigm of a wrong siagnost?
I’ve known 3 people with bi polar, one of them was a really nice person. He struggled with sleep though and had done severe self harm before because of lack of sleep and also depression. Be he was hilarious and never had much in the way of grandiose beliefs. The other two, both of them where similar. One of them I think has good intentions but she kinda gets hyper focused on an idea and is a social justice warrior. I didn’t see much depression in here it seemed mostly mania. The last one, all I can say is I think she’s actually a narcissist. When a I was younger before I was on anxiety meds I was easily bullied by narcissistic people. My self image is very bad, I have a serious case of impost syndrome even if I am extremely accomplished in or good at something. This one tore me down with harassment and trying to publicly humiliate me. To the point tears where falling down my cheeks and she continued. I was about 24 she was probably about 50. People who knew her better said she can be like that it’s because of bipolar - that confused because I knew two bipolar people and neither where cruel like that. Anyway they “apologised to me”, for context I have a degree in fine art and qualifications in training adults. I’m extremely skilled as an artist but again I have anxiety disorders and imposter syndrome. I was there tutoring people in art for free (work experience). She patronisingly said “we are all learners here, it’s ok” as if it was me apologising? I didn’t want to do it anymore and people like her make me never want to teach or be a leader. Some people are evil, she was evil. She wasn’t bi polar.
Will you make a video about when they co-exist? I have a family member who is diagnosed bi-polar but the overlap into Narcissism is just too far to ignore.
I just had to make sure I was correct about my son's Dad and I am correct
Do people with bipolar disorder (2) lie, deny and gaslight ?
Sounds like a personality disorder.PD’s AND Bi Polar do exist.
Anybody can do that without a mental issues
My question is. Why do narcissist survivors think they are the narcissist? It's something I have asked my therapists countless times. I ask her what can I do to care more for people, to feel more. She keeps telling me that I do care and that the difference is, that I see that I am bipolar, and want so badly to continue to seek help so that I can be better. But then why do I still think I am a monster?
Because when you deal with a narc, they break you mentally and emotionally to a point where you become narc-like without feelings, emotions etc.
It is also C-PTSD Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Because narcs tell us so. They blame us for their bs. When we start to behave defensively, we consider it and wonder if we are actually behaving like them. The difference here is that we CONSIDER our behaviour as reflect on it. Narcs don’t reflect on how they could of handled a situation in a kinder way. Because their way in their mind is the best way. Non narcs do not want to hurt people intentionally.
@@Christy.Davey. So much gaslighting. My friend says I never did anything for her. Says I dominate every conversation. Blames me for her housing instability and harm ideation. Even knowing it’s all falsehood, I cannot shake it off.
Happen to me I every day of my life , I’m thinking I am a monster after being with this person. I can’t love no more.
Great video but the sound glitches are horrendous... just sayin.
Npd bd and bpd in the next few years bpd might just migrate from beeing its own thing to a category within covert npd .
I will always wonder, but will never know, if my dead verbally abusive grandparent had bipolar or NPD. She had so many bipolar traits: would be fine one minute, full of rage the next, then cry. I'm convinced she was a regretful parent, with severe untreated depression, but refused treatment. She also had a TON of NPD traits: she was extremely sweet and charming, then hateful behind people's backs; she had a few picked golden children that she'd triangulate everyone with, but hated the rest; she would verbally and psychologically abuse anyone who dared get in her way or made her angry over any perceived slight, then cry VICTIM and remind you of her background to shut you up and justify her terrible behaviors. If you ever tried to fight back or confront her on these terrible things she said, she'd just smile this evil smug smile and gaslight you by saying it never happened, then run smear campaigns galore by enlisting her daughter and their brainwashed flying monkey family members to call and yell at you. However, people say that someone with TRUE NPD does not have feelings, that they are incapable of feeling love, or sadness or empathy or remorse. And my grandma cried all of the time, and I believe she COULD love and feel empathy and sadness, but it was like a vicious cycle. She was hot and cold, then would cry she was sorry, that she loved me, then it would start over again, and she wished I died, that my mother would die. I couldn't tell if it was her mood cycling from bipolar or the cycle of abuse. Maybe both, if it's possible? I'll never know, and honestly...I need to learn how to let it go and move on with my life.
Can't you have both ? he fluctuates between the 2 but is definitely/ diagnosed bipolar 2 ( undermedicated ) and his Narcissism is much less severe or obvious , tho overt .
This was helpful. Now can someone please tell my separated wife 😞
i've met two or three people who were bipolar.
Can you have both at the same time???
Yes, you can be diagnosed with Narcissism and bipolar disorder simultaneously.
Thank You, it is a bit hard to understand a few of your words. I really wish I could understand you. thank you ;)
Is there a overlap between NPD and Sociopathy?
I am a bipolar
Can they have both
Yes. Bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder have some similar symptoms, but they are distinct disorders. For example, bipolar disorder has episodes of mania/hypomania and depression. During manic periods is where you might see "delusions of grandeur". A narcissist *lives* in a delusion of grandeur. A personality disorder is not episodic, but consistent and pervasive. Here's a page giving much more information: www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/malignant-self-love/misdiagnosing-narcissism-the-bipolar-i-disorder
Wha??? I saw a documentary about psycopathy. You was one of the test perons that scored very high on Robert O'hares psycopath list. And the reason that you was in this documentary, was that you wanted to poromote your bock. you destroyed the docu and behaved very bad Remember you run away. And the man who made the film Had put alot of money in to the making on the film. And now you talking rubbish on the internett. I dont trust a word you say😢
Thank you