by Christine Hammond on June 7, 2019
For the last ten years, I have made working with people who have a personality disorder and their family members the main part of my practice. I made this choice for several reasons. First, there are numerous family members within my own family that have a personality disorder and I have a natural talent for… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 11, 2019
After meeting his new boss for the first time, Donald was impressed. Here was someone who ran his own business, was highly successful, knew nearly everyone in town, had considerable power and had enormous influence. He was charming, decisive, domineering, unfeeling, harsh, and intimidating. At first, Donald admired his boss. But then he had a… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 15, 2018
“This is ridiculous,” James said after witnessing his soon-to-be ex-wife losing it because she didn’t get her way. She sounded like a 2-year-old who didn’t get a piece of candy with the same level of irrational reasoning. Her arms were flinging around, she threw a few small objects, her voice raised a couple of octaves,… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
At first glance, a sociopath may be difficult to identify at work. They generally don’t draw attention because they have no internal need to socialize or interact with co-workers unless there is something to be gained from the experience. When they choose to intermingle, they present as charming, intelligent, balanced, sexy, and yet seemingly harmless…. (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Some of the most stimulating therapy sessions are from clients who have Anti-Social Personality Disorder. There is never a dull moment. Their stories are fascinating and fabricated, their perception is unnerving and improbable, and their behavior is eccentric and luring. But with them comes the unpredictability of the next session and the likelihood that not… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
It is apparent that something is out of sorts. At first, the person who was extremely charming, almost too good to be real has now become intimidating, demanding, and even threatening. The pathological lying over trivial matters, even when caught, can no longer be ignored. They are unreliable, unrelenting, irresponsible, disruptive, outrageous, traumatizing, insincere, unrepentant,… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
One of the more useful techniques to develop is a basic understanding of discerning liars. While no too look the same, there are some general identification features. Some of which are utilized on lie detector tests. However, with every rule there is an exception. This methodology is not useful when dealing with pathological liars such… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Eventually, in everyone’s life, they will come across a person with a personality disorder (PD). It may be a family member, co-worker, neighbor, or friend. Usually, it is hard to discern if a person has a PD at the beginning of the relationship, but eventually, it comes to light. Having an accurate understanding will keep… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
“Anyone compelled to choose will find far greater security in being feared than in being loved.” This famous quote from Prince Machiavelli is one of the guiding principles of Machiavellians. Machiavellianism is a personality construct and not a personality disorder like narcissism or anti-social (sociopath and psychopath). It is a way of looking at the… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
No matter what the profession, if a boss has this personality combination, they are terrifying. The Dark Tetrad is composed of four parts: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Sadism is the addition to the Dark Triad which has narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. For either condition, this means a person possesses the characteristics of all of… (more…)