Man I just cant get enough of this channel

Very interesting case study. I think the best thing that happened to Stephen was living in the Netherlands where they take such interest in rehabilitating. If Stephen was just sentenced; it would have been the same old cycle, but because they took an interest in him completing his studies; He was able to gain genuine respect for himself, and so didn't relapse into criminality. The need for admiration and respect for the narcissist is their lifeblood; they will die with this need. This cannot be changed. They also do not want to be embarrassed; shamed. I was very pleased to hear this outcome, as it shows that kindness can do a lot of good; whereas hate doesn't do anything; only causes more hate. I'm not saying that he must not pay for his crime; he definitely needs consequences, but anyway, in this case it was a good result. Thanks Doctor Grande; I always look forward to your next video.

No way this would have happened in the "incarcerate happy," USA. He is fortunate! Thx Dr. G. for yet another absorbing & illuminating case study.

i love the case study analysis videos!! they’re all really educational so thank you!

That is quite the case study! As someone who was married to a person who was clinically diagnosed with both of those disorders due to our divorce, its for me to think that a person with both disorders can somehow turn themselves around. My ex-husband is actually a physician that atte ded Ivy league schools and has had a fairly successful career for the most part. You have to do a deep dive to find out the truth.

I am not a professional, but have some experience with applied behavioural sciences. I got interested in Cluster B disorders because I realized that my partner was a narcissist and that my response to him in the relationship was atypical where I maintained my boundaries for the most part. I also realized that a lot of my responses helped him behave in a functional manner - quite unintentionally since at that time I didn't know he had NPD (and is still not formally diagnosed). For example, I dismissed a lot of the idealization phase as "new relationship energy", confronted and dismissed a lot of the superficial behaviour, caught lies and set boundaries and so on. Avoided making his projections about me and instead enquired after what was causing them. I also recognized and stated that he appeared to need attention and that made him do a lot of the crazy things he did and i helped him find ways to legitimately get the attention he craved without resorting to dishonest behaviour. This reminds me of the part in your video where you spoke of "feeding his narcissism" - I saw it as a way to meet a compulsive need/addiction in a legitimate way - by earning that attention rather than manipulating for it. Feels more "real". All this was instinctive. We grew apart with time as he was not capable of intimacy in any real sense and with that distance, he started devolving and eventually started making me his scapegoat and did not trust me enough to have conversations that could address anything. This, of course was quite traumatic for me even without becoming codependent. The relationship ended soon after that with a stalemate, since I would not accept such behaviour and he gave up on trying to manipulate me as my boundaries got stronger and stronger. In that sense, having an intimate relationship with someone who saw through the bullshit served as a reality check and motivation at the same time. Once he lost that, he stopped caring. But unlike a marital relationship, a therapeutic relationship comes equipped with a lot of diagnostic skills and tools and is of a different nature. For example, there were things that I would probably do with a participant in group therapy or a life coaching client, which I wouldn't, with a life partner, because of role boundaries. When a relationship is only therapeutic, there is a lot more freedom to engage with the person. A romantic partner knowing the dark side of your mind or the unequal power of a therapeutic relationship existing in a marriage is not a very healthy thing for either. I know some may disagree, but I think an overlap of roles is rarely helpful where there are any significant difficulties to overcome. But your video certainly provokes thought and I do think substantial change is possible. Though I agree with you that complete recovery seems... fantastic. From what I know of the one "case" who was also my partner, the tendency for the dysfunctional behaviour is instinctive and an instinct is very hard to alter. With time and while conditions suited, he chose more functional responses and benefited from it, but when the conditions were not favorable he reverted and even became worse. But even if our relationship had continued and been stable and he had continued with his new pattern of more healthy behaviour, I don't think the instinctive knowledge of how he could easily exploit a situation would ever go away from choices of responses available to him. He made better choices because they evaluated as more functional in his mind - more likely to get him more genuine appreciation and so on. But there would definitely be conditions where the honest thing would be too hard or too inconvenient and lying, cheating, manipulating would be a simple solution... maybe not that day or that week or month, but sooner or later, there would be a situation where a narcissistic response would "be simpler". I don't think it is possible that that instinctive knowledge would go away. We can't unknow things. I don't know if it was just with my partner or common to narcissists, but giving up on behaving better resulted in worse behaviour than before. As though there was no reason to hold back. So in that sense, I don't think the complacency of thinking someone is cured is possible. Continued engagement was what made it work. Or it is like object inconstancy. Out of sight, out of mind, and the manipulative behaviour simply seems faster and more efficient. Or I may be wrong and my partner was simply pretending improved behaviour and if someone really changed, they may not relapse.

Oh the irony of my own cynicism regarding this guy's recovery. 🤣 I don't believe it, but I appreciate you sharing it. And Yes! Big props to those who worked with him. Thank you, Dr Grande. 👍🌹

In several decades of clinical practice I've never heard of a true narcissist coming to understand and accept empathy from others, or developing contempt for their own previous behavior. Long standing patterns of coping with childhood emotional neglect and betrayal are not the same thing as enduring personality deficits. So in addition to questioning the veracity of "Steven's" therapeutic success, I'd question the accuracy of his diagnosis.

comorbidity is always fascinating... the ways in which illnesses interact with one another is so diverse. thanks for this!

Those case studies are a lot more useful than 10 signs someone is such or such bad person.

I'm from the Netherlands and I feel sorry for all you Americans for not having a prison system aimed at preventing recidivism. This is normal in the Netherlands and not only for the wealthy also for the poor. Because we don't incarcerate for most drug offences we have the resources to actually help. Our crime rates speak for itself.

Research indicates.... I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!!! ❤️🥰🤘🧠👍

Thank you for your hard work, doctor. Yet I don't feel strong enough for such a topic today.😟 I wish good health and positive emotions to the owner of the channel and everybody else in his community.🌈✨

Congrats on the growth! 200 k coming soon!

Man, what a well-painted case study. There’s also something very rewarding about this coming out of a social policy, even if this is a policy that might fail many times for each Steven it produces. On the other hand, given the future costs redeeming a Steven save us, maybe we can stand a couple of failures for each success. It’s definitely a conversation worth having. Thanks for a great one!

Fascinating case! I can’t help feeling sorry for the neglect he endured during his childhood, although I don’t think that is the full explanation for his behavior. His level of insight was quite remarkable but again he manipulated the whole system to achieve his goals. Good to hear that there was some success in the treatment, I am also skeptical about “full recovery.” Great analysis Dr. Grande!

Well, it’s the Netherlands... these northern countries do things so differently from the USA and even from us in portugal. I find them fascinating. Very interesting 👌🏻

If someone changes, contributes to society and doesn't reoffend we shouldn't doubt their motives because psychology isn't about judging someone's soul, it's about health In Europe they don't follow DSM categories like a Bible which means they can keep an open mind and avoid the self-fulfilling prophecies that run through it

I really enjoyed the case study, makes learning and listening so interesting. You told the story well and added insight (plus i like happy endings❤).

I really love hearing you tell about case studies. It gives so much more perspective, and helps me to have a little more sympathy for people who are so easy to dislike.

"A genuine interest in fraud." For some reason this part gave me a laugh.

It's so nice to see someone healed :)) I want to be healed as well!

Thank you for this case study!! Speaks volumes of how rehabilitation ( even in giving this man an avenue for earning money with legitimate credentials) is a far cry from our punitive American justice system. Also how college and social services are more readily available and for free to Dutch people. Much better than our new Jim Crow prison system that is basically a sick scheme to make money and generate revenue.

Those case studies are better than a Netflix series. I look forward to them and enjoy your balanced commentary that is also inclusive towards laymen minority of your audience ;) this was a very interesting ep. Cheers!

Personally I’m impressed that they responded to a flawed person with compassion and patience. It makes me wonder that if we cared more about rehabilitation in this country perhaps there would be less offending.

Wow, I’d never expected this outcome! Such an improvement, such a development of insight, accepting criticism! Like you said, it could be him manipulating the staff but, in a certain way, even if it is just manipulation, it’s remarkable he would be able to pretend to such an extent. It’s an amazing case study on both possibilities. If he truly recovered (showing us the ways to effective treatment for NPD) or if he’s just a really good actor (in this case, we can learn how there are no limits to a person’s manipulation).

Never expected to see a case from my own country on this channel!

There's a lot to think about in this case study. The more you ponder it, the more complicated it gets. For instance, if you focus only on Stephen's disorders and eventual recovery, that's one thing; however, when you simultaneously combine that with a comparative study of criminal justice systems -- The Netherlands and the United States -- you end up losing some clarity. That's when a hint of skepticism entered in, as Dr. Grande seemed to suggest. The study shows, among other things, that not every case study has a clearcut conclusion and that a degree of skepticism would be an acceptable outcome, especially in a case like this one.

That's incredible. Really inspires optimism that people afflicted with these personality defects can make meaningful improvement.

This is the best, most informative and interesting channel on youtube. Thanks Dr Grande. I don't know how you find the time, but I'm glad you do.

Really interesting video. I too share your skepticism. It sounds like Stephen may have started to identify his narcissistic traits as being of less status or value. One important factor here is the British class system, he may have learned that status was still important but how it was measured changed once he got into academia. I have a feeling his narcissism adapted to the hierarchical nature of academia. Have you done a video on narcissism and emptiness?

Some countries focus on reformation of criminals as opposed to punishment and incarceration alone and that's the right way to deal with criminals. Else they get out only to reoffend.

Diagnosed ASPD+NPD. Thank you very much for sharing this.

I can see how they would assist Steven in leveraging his academic potential for Narcissistic supply but I'm not sure how the overarching impulsivity and irresponsibility of ASPD could be mitigated. Fascinating case study... What does it say about academics? ;)

So good to hear such a good outcome. I think some people can be rehabilitated and should be. Thanks for the fascinating video.

Very interesting case and explanation!

I would really appreciate a video on how to not pass your narcissistic traits to your children

He would have never gotten better in the U.S. Locked up and tossed the key. How fortunate for him to be in the Netherlands because....America does not 4give.

5/28/20. You were closing in on 200k three months ago and now you're nearing 300k. Amazing growth, Doc, congratulations!

You are like a machine! Thank you , thank you, Dr.Grande😉 I feel like I’m learning so much with EVERY vid. You are the best

Please do more case study videos on Personality disordered people. Very helpful and insightful.

This was a very interesting topic. It does seem to be unlikely that a person with such entrenched narcissism would make a full recovery, but I'm judging it from a layperson's point of view.

I love when people have these two traits in combination with a high amount of conscientiousness. These are leaders, teachers, CEOs, cult leaders, entrepreneurs.. basically winners. I’ve watched his interview and it was very interesting. He would be fun to be around for short periods of time.

I'd love to see more case study videos. You always make interesting videos, and in my opinion case study videos are amongst the most interesting.

One of the most interesting and informative videos you have made! TY

I really enjoy the case studies. They help to get an understanding and grasp of how certain personality disorders manifest in "real life" scenarios.

Waited for this for so long. Great video

Sounds like the movie “Catch Me If You Can” with Leonardo DiCaprio was based off of this case!

Always interesting for sure. Thanks Dr. G

WOW!!!!!!!! I'm SO impressed by this case and the seemingly successful outcome, even if he wasn't completely symptom free. WOWSA GREAT JOB and kudos to the counsellors.

Impressive approach. And apparently quite effective.

Would love if you did more case analysis videos, doc! I know it’s not your typical type of video these days, but I’ve always found your summary of case studies to be very interesting and informative. Regardless, thanks for all that you do!

Hope is a good thing. At one time it was believed BPD or alcoholics couldn’t change and no treatment would help. If they cannot change there is also little hope for endless streams of victims.

I think the success rate with NPD is low because they rarely change. In my experience, change is hard for everyone no matter the status of their mental health. We change temporarily to avoid criminal charges , for professional gain , or out of tragedy. I think humanity sucks at a strong approach to change or it's just natural for us to change rarely or slowly.

Industrialist + Actress. That sounds like a dual Narccisist parents. Not surprising he ends up in prison.

I loved this story. So glad to hear there is help.

Another interesting vídeo. 🤣🤣🤣 i love how you deal-make your hypotheses. It appears very well thought out. Thanks Dr. Grande.🤒😄😍

Thank you so much for all the videos! Very informative and educational!

Another great case study, thank you Dr Todd🙏🏻 This reminds me of the current Netflix series “I am a killer” ... some episodes suggest the subject would thrive in society after a certain period in prison. Some cases attempt to show how the subject has been rehabilitated. Please do an analysis of this series ?

With a background in childhood education I always preach that "praise" is better than "blame" emphasizing by age 3 yrs old the personality is already formed. Stephen certainly had potential for having social skills and academic skills. He Earned a doctorate in 3 years. Both parents were narcarcist's = Stephen=narcarcist!

What I also find a bit odd in this, as well as other cases I've heard of, is when a felon gets an education and their criminal record doesn't seem to stand in their way. There are people who did minor things and the record haunts them for life.

I would imagine he become functional. And it is quite amazing he was able to become rehabilitated. It seems like he was highly intelligent and motivated because of the underlining need for attention and status. It in ways become useful towards becoming a functional person in society. It appears like all he wanted was to become a doctor of something. With the help of his therapist they were able to developer that insight that his personalities/behavior were not helping him get truly what he wanted and luckily it appears he was nonviolent as well. He was giving opportunity to redeem himself and it comes across like he wanted to prove others wrong and that he wasn’t just a criminal, but smart too. Maybe I’m thinking too much into it, but it is amazing that he was able to do what he did and become that someone. I think it is sad that he experienced trauma and rejection at a young age. Childhood trauma is a common factor with mental illness. Also, it was good he was locked up in the Netherlands, because he probably would have been in prison for life in America, unable to truly tap into his potential and develop healing in someway that was beyond a jail cell.

Thanks Dr. Grande. Love your channel!❤️

Thank you for all your hard work Dr.

Fascinating case study.

I sympathise with this guy and think we could learn from this about how we deal with criminals and what justice means

Love this! Great perspective. I’d like to see a video on tackling recidivism here in the US from a therapeutic standpoint

Heroic and interesting! I hope he took the time to burry some stash...🙏

Very interesting subject.

keep going great Channel

Very interesting video maybe they were able to successfully redirect is emotions. Congrats on almost getting 200,000 I'm so excited for you

What a beautiful story, wow.

Love your videos: keep it up.

Thanks for doing this video.

👏 loved this episode

Wow that would make a great movie! Thanks for the video! 🎥🎬🎞️ 👍😁😃

Another insightful evaluation from you, Dr. Grande! Also, thank you for citing your sources! Didn't "Steven" show Machiavellian traits as well? Was he excluded from a Dark Triad classification on account of NPD/APD being clinical/pathological diagnoses?

Great video, very interesting case! Could you analyze the fictional character Norman Bates from the tv series Bates Motel? Is it a realistic presentation in terms of psychopathology and personality traits?

Thank you!

Its nice to actually hear a happy ending for once

Love me some Dr. Grande 🙂

Fascinating. Hopefully he now utilizes his intelligence in a way that creates value for others, but I do wonder about his personal life, etc., even if he is not criminally active.

Great case. I find it hard to believe he made a full recovery as well but perhaps high intellectual ability made him better able to learn insight and realize that his personality wasn't doing him any favors. I can believe he at least learned how to not act on his disordered impulses most of the time and become high functioning.

I would love if you could make a video answering this question: can a person be psychopathic AND schizophrenic?

Thank you for this video It was useful as it made me clear Could you Please make a case study video or a video on similarities and differences between paranoid personality disorder and NPD I get confused all the time

this is an amazing story.]

Dr. Grande, Thanks so much for all of the great videos! Could you discuss the difference between paranoia and anxiety? They seem similar to me (you are worried about something) but I know they are associated with different personality disorder clusters (A for paranoia, C for anxiety). Thank you!

Wow what a character!

PS. Love the new glasses, Doc.

Art saves lives.

My earliest arrival yet.

Really interesting case! Question: do you think incarceration and other punishment is an actual deterrent for grandiose narcissists? My limited experience is that they believe themselves to be so superior they would never get caught.

It would be interesting to see what he would be like in a relationship like dating or marriage that'll determine whether or not he's healed or working on his narcissistic disorder

Dr. Grande, could you do a case study of a person with co-morbid MDD and BPD?

Please tell us about Michael Avenatti.. would enjoy your take.

That's a strange case.. it seems that Steven really needed an opportunity to be productive.. but I'm sceptical.. maybe he had a near death experience and that transformed him into a new man... maybe he grew up.. maybe he gained more confidence and character.. or maybe he sophisticated his attitude and approach. Ultimately, his goal was to get out of there. And he did, with honors hehe i think he fooled them

Please make a commentary video on the Netflix "Don't Fuck with Cats" docuseries. Luka Magnotta is an interesting case study for a personality disorder. He is the villain in this documentary.

Contempt towards the narcissistic side might really be contempt towards the side of him he now realizes wasn't that effective or useful, and he learned some better ways to have the success he wanted. In a way that can be tremendous development, even though it wouldn't mean change in personal relationships (how is he in marriage for example?), but he would not commit crimes because he doesn't feel those crimes would help him to be successful. I've read that the treatment for ASPD in prisons often aims toward that. The reality often is, that higher punishments won't stop people from doing crimes (there has been studies about this), but having resources on integrating former prisoners back to the society can prevent many of them from doing further crimes, not all of them, but many. I live in a northern country where the values are that everyone should have the same possibilities to have education and so on, it's more like a human right, not a wealth thing. We have a free education system, and I sense here a bit, that our values in this are quite different than in US. About the healing from NPD and ASPD, I would be sceptical for the larger generalization of only one outcome, there wasn't any mention about his interpersonal relation style, and the statement "symptom-free" is a bit bold in this sense.

I really like your case studies. It helps me understand my own cluster b behavior and separate my comorbidity. I can relate to Stephen. Thank you. We watch your videos as well. You and Sam Vaknin help us the most. How do you feel about Sam?

loved the take on "he played everyone to be awarded a PhD"