Dr. Vaknin is the ultimate resource for an intensive and analytical look at narcissism because he has the largest data base of people with NPD in the world, has researched it scientifically with discoveries by every major authority on the subject, can quote from every book ever written on the subject and significant studies and possesses terminal degrees in physics and philosophy and is a professor of psychology at several universities. He is the godfather of current studies on narcissism, coining much of the language we use today in his 1994 book entitled, "Malignant Self Love, Narcissism Revisited."

A significant number of people who go into mental health have some personal catalyst with either their own struggles or one of a close family or friend.

Personal experiences of mental health problems among clinical psychologists may be fairly common. Think of AA sponsors who lead the way to sobriety. They are recovering addicts themselves allowing them a personal insight that others would not have. Think of psychologists and the founders of modern day psychiatry. Carl Jung, for example, suffered from an extended psychotic episode and spent time in an asylum.

A recent survey asked mental health professionals two separate questions: whether they had ever experienced “mental health difficulties” and if they had ever been diagnosed with a mental illness by a professional. Over 80% of all respondents reported having mental health difficulties at some point, and 48% reported having a diagnosed mental illness. These rates are similar to rates of mental illness in the general population.

I find many of the folks out there today espousing their surefire program to wellness and freedom are a bit too "pop psych and new age" for my full endorsement.

I have done little else but research NPD for nearly 5 years now, I I can assure you that Dr. Vaknin is the most objective, precise, academic, insightful, and most reliable source I have found. I trust that his words are truth and no one has a deeper understanding of NPD. He is a scientist and objective at all times with personal experience only used to sometimes validate his assertions.

If I understand you correctly, you said " I believe, there's a genetic component that makes some people more likely to develop NPD undergoing the same trauma that another person endures without developing NPD. " We agree with one another 100%, and that was my point. It is a factor but not the only factor. There are many confluences that make the narcissist become pathological/malignant. Genetics should be acknowledged as one of several things that come into play. Yes, it can be a root cause, but trauma/abuse, environment, epigenetics, and even society itself can be root causes as well.

Thank you for letting me have this conversation with you, and please listen to a few of Dr. Vaknin's lectures knowing that there is no greater authority.