Personality Disorders

Case Report: Online Romance Fraud & Erotomania in 70-Year-Old Female (2024)

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TLDR: A case study reveals a 70-year-old woman developed erotomanic delusions and attempted suicide following online romance fraud. Highlights: 70-year-old woman with persistent depressive disorder. Victim of online romance fraud involving a renowned musician’s image. Developed erotomanic delusions and attempted suicide. Treatment included antidepressants, low-dose risperidone, and therapy. Significant symptom remission after four weeks of …

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Personality Disorders Increase Risk of Suicide (2023 Evidence)

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Those with personality disorders face an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths. Factors like childhood trauma and substance use issues may partially explain this vulnerability. While treatments like dialectical behavior therapy show promise for prevention, more research is still needed. Key Facts: 17 of 24 studies found personality disorders tied significantly to suicidal …

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Pregnancy Denial: What Are the Causes of this Phenomenon?

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Pregnancy denial, also known as cryptic pregnancy, refers to a lack of awareness of being pregnant, often until late in the pregnancy or even childbirth. It is a more common phenomenon than generally realized, occurring in an estimated 1 in 500 pregnancies. Women affected are usually mentally and physically healthy. The underlying causes are complex …

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Sadism & Personality Traits: Dark Triad, Situational Factors, Antisocial Behaviors

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Sadism refers to deriving pleasure from inflicting physical or emotional pain on others. A new review illuminates the personality traits that relate to higher levels of sadism. Key Facts: Sadism is linked to “dark personality traits” like psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. Of these, psychopathy shows the strongest connection. Antisocial behaviors like aggression and rule-breaking contribute …

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Pathological Narcissism: Grandiosity vs. Vulnerability in Relationships

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People with pathological narcissism are known for their grandiose, arrogant behavior and sense of entitlement. However, beneath the surface lies a vulnerable inner world rife with insecurity, emptiness, and dysregulated emotions, according to a new qualitative study. Key Facts: 436 partners and family members of people with high narcissistic traits described their relative’s emotional makeup …

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Neuroscience of Narcissism: Brain Patterns of Inflated Ego & Empathy Deficits

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Narcissism is characterized by self-importance, entitlement, and interpersonal difficulties. Neuroscience research has begun to uncover the complex mechanisms underlying the paradoxical patterns of narcissistic functioning. Key findings show: Narcissism involves heightened vigilance and stress reactivity to ego threats despite outward grandiosity Alterations in brain regions involved in self-vs-other processing may underlie narcissistic self-focus and empathy …

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Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) & Brain Imaging: White Matter Abnormalities

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A new brain imaging study has uncovered structural differences in the white matter of young men diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). These differences provide clues into the neural correlates underlying the grandiose sense of self and lack of empathy that characterize NPD. Key Facts: Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to compare white matter microstructure …

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Narcissism & Brain Structure: Neural Correlates of Narcissistic Traits

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A new neuroimaging study has uncovered associations between subclinical narcissistic traits and regional grey matter volumes in the brain, specifically in the insular cortex and multiple prefrontal regions. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Jena in Germany, provides novel evidence that narcissistic personality tendencies are linked to structural variations in brain networks …

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MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Dampening Emotional Reactivity?

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and complex psychiatric illness impacting 1-2% of the general population. Despite available treatments, many patients continue to struggle with suicidal behavior, emotional dysregulation, and impaired interpersonal functioning. Researchers are now considering the potential of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) as a complementary treatment approach for BPD. Key Facts: BPD involves …

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Chronic Emptiness in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Disconnection from Self & Others

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition characterized by difficulties with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and unstable relationships. One of the criteria for diagnosis is chronic feelings of emptiness. While commonly discussed in clinical observations, empirical research on this experience has been limited. A new systematic review published in PLOS …

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