Verified by Psychology Today

Parental Alienation and the Child’s Brain

Some children resist being with a parent during a high-conflict divorce. If the situation is not resolved quickly, changes in the child's brain may make the rejection permanent.

Some children resist being with a parent during a high-conflict divorce. If the situation is not resolved quickly, changes in the child's brain may make the rejection permanent.

Why High Conflict People Are Often Stuck in the Past

If you know someone who constantly argues about what happened and seems stuck in the past, you may be dealing with a high-conflict person who cannot grieve and heal.

If you know someone who constantly argues about what happened and seems stuck in the past, you may be dealing with a high-conflict person who cannot grieve and heal.

Ferreting Out a Female Co-Worker Psychopath

Much has been written about the psychopathic boss, but what about your co-worker—the person at the next desk, not the one in the corner office? What can you do?

Much has been written about the psychopathic boss, but what about your co-worker—the person at the next desk, not the one in the corner office? What can you do?

How Psychopaths Gain Your Confidence

According to psychopathy researchers, the psychopath penetrates a victim’s vulnerability by projecting four “messages.” Knowing these messages may help prevent becoming a victim.

According to psychopathy researchers, the psychopath penetrates a victim’s vulnerability by projecting four “messages.” Knowing these messages may help prevent becoming a victim.

Narcissistic and Antisocial Personalities: Similar but Different

People with narcissistic or antisocial personalities have some similar characteristics. But knowing the differences can help you adapt your approach to dealing with each of them.

People with narcissistic or antisocial personalities have some similar characteristics. But knowing the differences can help you adapt your approach to dealing with each of them.

The Hidden Danger of the Homicidal Narcissist

Alex Murdaugh. Bryan Kohberger. Larry Millette. These men are on trial for murder and have repeatedly been labeled "narcissists." What is the relationship between the two?

Alex Murdaugh. Bryan Kohberger. Larry Millette. These men are on trial for murder and have repeatedly been labeled "narcissists." What is the relationship between the two?

When You Can't See Your Own Illness

What makes a personality disorder different from other disorders in the DSM? One critical factor is "psychological insight". People with PDs do not always show self-awareness.

What makes a personality disorder different from other disorders in the DSM? One critical factor is "psychological insight". People with PDs do not always show self-awareness.

3 Secret Powers of Narcissistic Bullies

Narcissistic bullies catch their targets by surprise with at least three secret powers. These can be learned in order to protect oneself from them.

Narcissistic bullies catch their targets by surprise with at least three secret powers. These can be learned in order to protect oneself from them.

How to Overcome Confirmation Bias in High Conflict Divorce

High-conflict divorce often includes allegations of abuse or alienation. Confirmation bias makes things worse. Parents and professionals need to understand how to avoid this.

High-conflict divorce often includes allegations of abuse or alienation. Confirmation bias makes things worse. Parents and professionals need to understand how to avoid this.

Bully in Your Life? You're Not Alone

Bullies are gaining attention and influencing our culture worldwide. Everyone should be prepared to face one by learning their basic personality patterns.

Bullies are gaining attention and influencing our culture worldwide. Everyone should be prepared to face one by learning their basic personality patterns.

Focusing on the Victim of the Psychopath

Victimization by psychopaths often goes undetected. Serious psychological and emotional abuse is easily and often overlooked, especially true for psychopathic caregivers. 

Victimization by psychopaths often goes undetected. Serious psychological and emotional abuse is easily and often overlooked, especially true for psychopathic caregivers. 

The Rebellion of the Psychopath

The psychopath's rebellion often begins very early in life and may be seen in opposing parental authority.

The psychopath's rebellion often begins very early in life and may be seen in opposing parental authority.

Do Personality Disorders Contribute to Parental Alienation?

Children exhibiting parental alienation frequently have parents with personality disorders. Is this the cause of parental alienation?

Children exhibiting parental alienation frequently have parents with personality disorders. Is this the cause of parental alienation?

When Complex Trauma & Severe Character Pathology Meet Part 2

Part II of this series explores treatment options for complex trauma patients with severe character pathology and clinical considerations for the treating providers.

Part II of this series explores treatment options for complex trauma patients with severe character pathology and clinical considerations for the treating providers.

Why the Female Psychopath Laughs

The female psychopath can be disarmingly witty, full of jokes and exciting conversation. Her laughter is calculated to turn on her charms, superficial, yet captivating.

The female psychopath can be disarmingly witty, full of jokes and exciting conversation. Her laughter is calculated to turn on her charms, superficial, yet captivating.

What Might Drive a Narcissist to Suicide?

In relentlessly pursuing their personal wants and needs, narcissists may violate the rights of others, which hints at why they’re at significant suicidal risk.

In relentlessly pursuing their personal wants and needs, narcissists may violate the rights of others, which hints at why they’re at significant suicidal risk.

The One Thing Every Narcissist Craves

According to a recent study, all narcissists desire status, but only some narcissists feel they have succeeded in achieving it.

According to a recent study, all narcissists desire status, but only some narcissists feel they have succeeded in achieving it.

Are Psychopaths Truly Reptilian?

Psychopaths are often said to be akin to reptiles, but how so and why? 

Psychopaths are often said to be akin to reptiles, but how so and why? 

7 Signs of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Individuals whose focus is on doing what they want, when they want, and how they want without concern for others' well-being.

Individuals whose focus is on doing what they want, when they want, and how they want without concern for others' well-being.

Does Psychopathy Begin With Us?

According to some psychopathy researchers, psychopathy is on the rise. Can we, each of us, be contributors to psychopathy? Our behaviors may suggest the answer.

According to some psychopathy researchers, psychopathy is on the rise. Can we, each of us, be contributors to psychopathy? Our behaviors may suggest the answer.

When Is Narcissism a Good Thing?

Narcissistic personality disorder is generally unhealthy, but what about the trait of narcissism itself?

Narcissistic personality disorder is generally unhealthy, but what about the trait of narcissism itself?

Identifying the Narcissist in Your Life

Narcissism has become a one-size-fits-all insult and diagnosis for everything from self-centeredness to manipulation. When is someone truly a narcissist?

Narcissism has become a one-size-fits-all insult and diagnosis for everything from self-centeredness to manipulation. When is someone truly a narcissist?

DNA Double helix
Can a Gene for Psychopathy Be in Your Family?

Some studies suggest that psychopathic traits begin at an early age and they are partly heritable and evident in childhood.

Some studies suggest that psychopathic traits begin at an early age and they are partly heritable and evident in childhood.

The First-Ever Psychopath Trial Was for a Woman in 1884

An enduring misconception about psychopathy is that only males can be psychopaths. However, the first time the word "psychopath" was used in court was for a woman.

An enduring misconception about psychopathy is that only males can be psychopaths. However, the first time the word "psychopath" was used in court was for a woman.

Female Psychopaths Use "Enablers" to Help Them Victimize Others

The female psychopath often depends on a network of groomed "enablers" to exploit victims and avoid blame. How can you protect yourself?

The female psychopath often depends on a network of groomed "enablers" to exploit victims and avoid blame. How can you protect yourself?

What New Research Is Telling Us About Narcissism

Recent research explores the structure and dynamics of narcissism, the relationship between narcissism and self-esteem, and factors that motivate narcissistic behavior.

Recent research explores the structure and dynamics of narcissism, the relationship between narcissism and self-esteem, and factors that motivate narcissistic behavior.

What to Expect if You Fall in Love With a Female Psychopath

Why would Cupid shoot a lead arrow that forces its target to flee from his or her lover?  Perhaps it is to protect against heartless victimization by a female psychopath.

Why would Cupid shoot a lead arrow that forces its target to flee from his or her lover?  Perhaps it is to protect against heartless victimization by a female psychopath.