Beyond Egocentrism to Wholesome Character

September 15, 2022Abuse, conscience, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, Entitlement, Integrity, Manipulation, Manipulators, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Spiritualitycharacter, culture, egocentrism, entitlement, maturity, narcissism, relationships, self-esteem, self-worth, socializationDr. Simon

Mature character demands we outgrow our natural egocentrism. But an entitled, egocentric, narcissistic culture holds many of us back.

Compulsive Lying Versus Tactical Lying

September 7, 2022Covert-Aggression, Entitlement, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Psychopathy and Sociopathy, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spiritualitycompulsive lying, pathological lying, reverence, tactical lying, truthDr. Simon

Most pathological lying is tactical lying, for the sole purpose of maintaining a position of advantage to abuse and exploit.

Narcissistic Personalities Come in Various Types

August 31, 2022Abuse, Aggression, conscience, empathy, Entitlement, Integrity, Intimacy, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Psychopathy and Sociopathy, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Esteem, Social Issuescharacter, character disturbance spectrum, empathy, malignant narcissists, narcissistic personalitiesDr. Simon

With narcissistic personalities, one description does not really fit all. Vulnerable, “compensatory” types are very different from their heartless, “grandiose” counterparts.

Codependency Versus Emotional Dependency

August 26, 2022Abuse, Addiction and Recovery, conscience, empathy, Empowerment, Infidelity, Integrity, Manipulators, Mental Health, Narcissism, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Therapyabuse, character, character development, codependency, codependent, dependence, emotional dependency, exploitation, self-love, self-worth, therapy induced traumaDr. Simon

True codependency is widely misunderstood, and often mistaken for emotional dependency, a significant risk factor for abuse and exploitation in relationships.

Obstinate Denial and Mental Filtering

August 18, 2022conscience, empathy, Entitlement, Integrity, Manipulation, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spiritualitycharacter, conscious, denial, mental filtering, obstinate denial, obstnacy, selective attention, unconsciousDr. Simon

Some so-called denial is rooted in obstinacy, a stubborn refusal to accept a reality that challenges a person to change and grow.

Cultural Desensitization to Character Dysfunction

August 11, 2022Integrity, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Relationships, Social Issuescharacter, character crisis, character dysfunction, culture, desensitization, narcissism, relationshipsDr. Simon

Cultural desensitization to character dysfunction allowed behaviors that were once rare or unthinkable to become “the new normal.”

Making Amends Reveals Character

August 3, 2022conscience, empathy, Integrity, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spirituality, Therapycharacter, contrition, labor of love, making amends, remorse, wholesome characters, work of repairDr. Simon

Making amends for harm done is a duty, to be sure. But the spirit with which one does this noble work of repair testifies to one’s character.

Contrition and Character Growth

July 27, 2022Abuse, conscience, empathy, Infidelity, Integrity, Intimacy, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spirituality, Therapycharacter, contrition, guilt, love, regret, remorse, shameDr. Simon

Contrition goes beyond mere regret or even remorse. The contrite person hurts because of the hurt they caused. And they work to mend wounds.

The Crazy Making Behaviors of Disturbed Characters

July 13, 2022Abuse, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, gaslighting, Infidelity, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibilitycrazy-making, empowerment, gaslighting, manipulation, outrage, tactics, trustDr. Simon

Recognizing manipulation tactics when you encounter them, and responding appropriately is key to both sanity and personal empowerment.

Egocentricity and Entitlement Define Disordered Characters

July 6, 2022Entitlement, Faith, Integrity, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issuescharacter, development, ego, egocentricity, entitlement, vainDr. Simon

Egocentricity and attitudes of entitlement are normal characteristics of immaturity. Growing beyond these tendencies is the mark of mature character.