The Nature and Nurture of Narcissism

Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder from the Perspective of Gene - Environment Interaction

De: Peter Salerno PsyD

Narrado por: Peter Salerno PsyD

What Causes Narcissism?
The world has been indoctrinated with the false notion that narcissism is the result of a bad childhood.

It’s as if narcissists have been granted immunity from responsibility. Mental health professionals - and the general public alike - seem more than willing to offer narcissists a perfectly convenient scapegoat: trauma.

The goal of this book, using the most recent empirical evidence on the etiology and treatment of narcissistic personality disorder - is to dispel the widely held and already discredited myth that narcissism is the result of childhood trauma. Despite evidence to the contrary, this widely held myth continues to prevail in popular media and culture.

This book aims to correct the mistakes related to the cause of narcissism so that mental health practitioners and the general public will have a scientifically informed understanding of etiology and intervention. Because the reality is that almost everything we have been taught about the cause of narcissism…is wrong.

©2024 Peter Salerno (P)2024 Peter Salerno

Essential reading for

This book has been invaluable in assisting to understand not only Narcissistic Personality Disorder, but more importantly the confusing, disorienting and isolating emotions experienced when exposed to a Narcissist. From the perspective of a layperson, reading Dr. Salerno’s book has been vital in understanding this complex topic.

SO informative and healing

Knowledge is so healing and validating. These people will drive you to your grave and THEN claim they were trying to rescue or help you, AND that you victimized THEM. It's deadly, one way or another. It's absolutely genetic, that's why, by the end of their lives, only their cluster B family members, or people who need them for money, will still be around. Everyone else is either slowly killed by their constant abuse or they eventually flee with often nothing that they helped build. It's a slow motion nightmare.

Educational

It was a decent read because it helps me understand my Mother a little more and helps me with how I need to deal with interactions with her.

Absolutely necessary

Anyone involved in family courts, family counseling, or domestic violence advocacy MUST READ THIS… and start BELIEVING what victims report rather than revictimizing them- while also not attempting to demonize the personality disordered perpetrators.

Thank you!

This has finally helped me so much to stop going down rabbit hole after rabbit hole trying to find some way to convince him to get help or what I need to do to get him back because of all the conflicting information but no actual proof or reasons why it’s not possible.

SO helpful

The most up to date and relevant information I've found on pathological narcissism. Along with his other book, Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance, this author has helped me tremendously in the process of healing after experiencing narcissistic abuse for many years.

Valuable new information on Narcisstic Personality Disorder.

I liked that this specialist has brought attention to the fact that NPD is not caused by childhood trauma but is an inherited trait condition. This should bring relief to all those poor parents wrongly held responsible for their child's behaviour.

Quick, Informative Read

Good for a shorter read. Really helpful points in understanding personality disorders from a more neurological perspective. I appreciate the author’s vulnerability in sharing his own story, but I wish there was a bit more story included (if if not his own). Having a background in psychology definitely helped me relate further to this book.

Ground-breaking new understanding of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Illuminating & myth-busting exploration of the causes & complexities of personalities with extreme narcissism. Practical advice for both clinicians & the general public on how to interact with such challenging individuals. Spoiler alert: data reveal far more "nature" than "nurture" as an etiology. An absolutely brilliant & courageous work.

Validating, explanatory, honestly brilliant

Dr. Salerno, at first, didn’t sound as academic as I expected. But before long, I realized he has truly been around the block with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), and from both directions. His findings and data are shared plainly, simply, clearly, even humbly, and to my mind, leave no question as to the origin and possible therapies for NPD. Many “a-ha” moments for me as the book confirmed what I already knew from experience - that no amount of wishful thinking or self-subjugation could possibly prove enough to appease, let alone change, a true narcissist. Dr. Salerno, thank you for your work and efforts to inform both your profession and the masses alike.