timetohealguy

Hi All,

As a number of people are dealing with partners with issues with both Cluster B personality disorders and alcohol, and there is an overlap of symptoms in Cluster B between Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder and substance abuse, there are a few videos that talk about this topic ...

As mentioned in another thread, I saw this video a couple of days ago, titled "Be warned - Narcissistic rage (the devaluation begins)" and the phrase in it of "When you are a hammer, the world looks like a nail", immediately jumped out at me ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj3mlQ0n2rQ


This video titled "Alcoholism, Addiction and Narcissism: A Toxic Cocktail That Destroys Lives" is very good ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDwYskwHdDw


The very insightful Sam Vaknin has a great video here titled "Addict Narcissists: Substance Abuse and Reckless Behaviors" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9usz5PL1gIs


Richard Grannon (Spartan Life Coach) has a great video named "Can Drug Addiction Look Like A Personality Disorder?" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRRB00pHbqA


Mark Smith of Family Tree Counseling has a great video named ... "50 Symptoms Of Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFhty3ruqKw

... a follow up after a year of recovery work "50 Symptoms Of Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome Revisited" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZxB2zIO2w

... and a third video "50 Symptoms Of Narcissistic Abusers" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCyLk1TVbMA


Are there any videos or articles that have helped others struggling to cope with this kind of thing ?

August252015

Boy, does this resonate. I think I mentioned in a thread somewhere that I was dx with BPD last year. I have done DBT work and now that I am finally sober - the exercises are a lot like AA work and it is eye-opening how much the alcoholic me, when actively drinking, is EXACTLY like someone with BPD. Last year, when my dr immediately identified it, I said "YES! That's me."

But as I am seeing, perhaps this isn't the right dx - or possibly I am just at a different point on the psych spectrum if you believe, like I do, there is one. Whatever the dx, being sober puts a completely different person in this world.

Thanks for sharing those links- I was a psych major and gobble info on mental illness and look forward to reading. Flagged!

Txjeepguy

Though she hasn't been diagnosed I'm convinced my ex has BPD... The symptoms match her almost perfectly.

The overlap is scary. And dangerous.

August252015

It really is. Properly treated- which IMO and IME most definitely includes medication - BPD is entirely manageable. But untreated and especially when drinking - it is a living nightmare for all involved.

nowinsituation

Another less well known member of the Cluster B family is Histrionic Personality Disorder. When I Googled "addicted to attention" for insight on my 2nd ex I learned about this personality disorder. The love bombing in the beginning similar to NPD....

He was not alcoholic, but used excessive drinking to draw attention to himself. Always, always, always had to be the center of attention.

Txjeepguy

It is.

I've escaped the nightmare but it cost me a lot

hopeful4

It's quite common to see Cluster B's struggle with addiction, and quite scary.

I can only say, don't walk, run away from this if given the opportunity. Sad, but true.

Expanding

I have been reading extensively and watching videos on Cluster B's. While the A's in our life may not have these personality disorders they certainly mimic them and can give a lot of insight into their behaviors and how they think. Not all A's have a personality disorder but it sounds like many inflicted with one have a substance abuse problem.

On YouTube my favorite channels have been "Lisa A Romano Breakthrough Life Coach"; "Inner Integration"; Self-Care Haven"; Melanie Tonia Evans" and "Ross Rosenberg".

I am especially fond of Melanie and Lisa because they not only explain these behaviors but why we are attracted to them and how to STOP being attracted and start to value and love ourselves. These ladies have helped me in ways that I can never repay them for