41 RULES TO STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME

Intimacy is not just about sex. It's having heart-to-hearts, staying up all night talking, sharing childhood memories, thoughts, fears, dreams & hopes for the future. It's uncontrollable laughter, direct eye contact and feeling each other without touching - it's exchanging energy

*Narcissistic Personality Disorder* (NDP) is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance.

○ They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them.

○ People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others.

*How do narcissists act?*

*Narcissistic Personality Disorder* (NDP) involves a pattern of self-centered, arrogant thinking and ones behaviour, a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration

Others often describe people with NPD as *cocky,*

*manipulative,*

*selfish,*

*patronizing,*

and *demanding.*

*How does a narcissist apologize?*

*If* they do apologize, it's often insincere and accompanied by excuses or justifications for their behaviour, says Dr. Michael Kane, chief medical officer at Indiana Centre for Recovery.

*“They often & seldom shift the blame onto someone else or make empty promises to change in order to appease the situation,”* Kane notes

Here are some signs of *Narcissistic Personality Disorder Narcissism* vs. *Narcissistic Personality Disorder*

● Having narcissistic tendencies -- like bragging or making themself the centre of attention -- are normal when they occur occasionally.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is different.

● Symptoms are more severe, occur across different situations and environments, and make relationships with others challenging, if not impossible.

Here, Zachary Rosenthal PhD, a clinical psychologist at Duke Health, answers questions about NPD and what you can do if you suspect that you or a loved one has the condition.

Dr. Zach Rosenthal discusses the symptoms of NPD, how it is diagnosed, and the individualized approach he takes for treating the disorder.

*What are the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder?*

Use the acronym *“SPECIAL ME”* to remember the signs of NPD.

1. SPECIAL ME

1. Sense of self-importance

Preoccupation with power, beauty, or success

Entitled

Can only be around people who are important or special

Interpersonally exploitative for their own gain

Arrogant

Lack empathy

Must be admired

Envious of others or believe that others are envious of them

2. How is NPD diagnosed?

○ Trained mental health professionals conduct a structured interview to learn more about an individual’s typical behaviour patterns. If someone consistently displays at least five of the SPECIAL ME traits, they meet the diagnostic criteria for the condition.

*Is NPD genetic?*

*No, there is no gene for NPD, and people are not born with it.* Like other mental health conditions, the environment is a major factor. Children who are encouraged to believe they are extraordinary and always deserve the best - sometimes at the expense of others - could later develop NPD. In these children, traits like confidence are rewarded, while qualities like empathy are not.

○ *Are narcissists bad people?*

Narcissists are not bad people; *it’s their behaviour that’s problematic.* They have been conditioned to believe that they are special and deserve to be treated better than others and approach the world accordingly.

*Can I have a relationship with someone with NPD?*

It depends. If your romantic partner, family member, or boss has NPD, they can make your life challenging. Because they put themselves first, you may feel belittled, and your mental health could suffer. Coping strategies include setting personal boundaries and gently walking away if they are breached. However, this is not always easy to do. Calling your partner a narcissist won't help either. Instead, you should focus on your well-being and decide what you are willing to tolerate.

*Can people recover from NPD?*

Yes, but changing a learned behaviour takes time and effort. People with NPD do not generally seek help on their own, and if they do, it is often because of a co-existing problem, like anxiety. Because there is no proven medication or therapy to treat NPD, providers take an individualized approach. Getting to know the patient and establishing a trusting relationship are key components of treatment. If a person is willing to change and their therapist can help them bridge the gap between their current and desired behaviors, there is hope for recovery.

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The Meaning of Existence

by Les Murray

Everything except language knows the meaning of existence. Trees, planets, rivers, time know nothing else. They express it moment by moment as the universe.

Even this fool of a body lives it in part, and would have full dignity within it but for the ignorant freedom of my talking mind.

I dreamt that we stood outside as it snowed, I felt the chill in my lungs. Then you held me close and kissed me. With your warmth, I never felt the cold again.

Then I woke, alone and freezing, to the clouds weeping outside.

I mean to say, I miss you.

Orgasm is usually result of sexual stimulation and involved the muscles, blood vessel, and the best part is release of endorphin, oxytocin, and dopamine, which is known as the feel good chemical.... Expand here to enjoy more about orgasm