Narcissism and Relationship Dynamics

Gambling

• Many people enjoy gambling (pokies, online betting, lottery tickets).
• For some, gambling becomes a serious problem (problem gambling).
• Problem gambling is characterized by an inability to control spending/time, leading to negative consequences in social, family, and work life.
• Some forms of gambling are more likely to lead to problem gambling (e.g., electronic gaming machines, online sports betting).
• Factors that increase risk include age (18-35 years), gender (men more likely than women), and other personal differences (impulsivity, mood issues, relationship problems, substance use problems).
• Environmental factors (concentration of venues, online accessibility, advertising) increase risk.

Symptoms of Problem Gambling

• Frequent thoughts about gambling.
• Feeling irritable/restless when trying to stop gambling.
• Gambling to escape problems or feel better.
• Gambling more and more money to achieve feelings of excitement.
• Arguments with family/friends related to gambling.
• Relationship issues related to money/financial hardship.
• Hiding/lying about gambling behaviors.
• Difficulties at work/study related to gambling.
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.
• Difficulties resisting the urge to gamble.
• Relying on others to resolve financial problems caused by gambling.
• Legal issues related to debt or financial troubles.
• Gambling to win back lost money.

Causes of Problem Gambling

• There is no single cause for problem gambling. Several factors influence risk.
• Demographics: People aged 18-35 years are most at risk, with men more likely to develop problems than women (especially younger males).
• Personal differences: Impulsivity, mood disorders, relationship problems, and substance use problems increase risk.
• Stressful life events (job loss, family problems, relationship breakdowns, economic crises).

Environmental Factors

• Living or working in areas with concentrated gambling venues increases risk.
• Online betting conditions, targeted advertising, increased access to gaming, and game design make informed choices difficult.

Treatment

• Effective treatments for problem gambling include: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and motivational enhancement therapy (MET).
• These programs are delivered face-to-face or virtually.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• CBT helps change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in relation to gambling.
• CBT identifies and challenges problematic thoughts (e.g., superstitious beliefs).
• CBT improves responses to stress and life difficulties, and how a person responds to triggers for gambling.
• CBT is available in both face-to-face and internet-based formats.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• MI strengthens an individual's motivation to change gambling behavior.
• MI explores reasons for change and resolves uncertainty about the change.
• MI uses strategies such as goal setting, plan development, and increases in confidence.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

• MET is based on MI principles.
• It is a brief intervention with personalized feedback and assessment following an initial assessment.
• Four sessions are typical. The first two focus are for assessment, feedback, and developing plans for behaviour change.
• The last two assess the individual's progress and reinforce goals.

Anger

• Anger is a common emotion ranging from mild annoyance to rage.
• It is triggered by perceived wrongdoing, unfairness, or threats to well-being and social status.
• Coping skills, available support, thoughts, and interpretations all influence feelings of anger.
• Anger can be a healthy response when expressed assertively and respectfully.
• Problem anger is frequent, intense, and long lasting, involving thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors.
• Thoughts can be irrational and exaggerated. People blame others more often than themselves when angry, focusing more on revenge and criticism.
• Physical responses include increased heart rate, muscle tension, and a sensation of feeling hot. These responses affect mood, sleep, appetite, learning, and memory.
• Behaviors associated with problem anger include aggression, violence, family/workplace violence, and harassment. Associated issues include road rage, assault, and substance use.
• Causes of problem anger include memories of trauma and family/cultural factors (acceptable social and emotional reactions).
• Risk factors can include fixed ways of thinking and expectations.
• Anger can be a symptom of mental health disorders (oppositional defiant disorder, PTSD, and some personality disorders).
• Treatment involves psychological interventions to address negative thoughts and behaviors.

What causes problem anger?

• The way anger is experienced.
• Anger-related memories
• Family and cultural factors
• Fixed ways of thinking
• Pre-existing mental health issues such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Treatment and strategies for dealing with anger

• Addressing unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to reduce anger.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Modifies unhelpful thoughts and behaviors related to anger.
• Relaxation skills training: Reduces physical tension related to anger.
• Communication skills training: Improves conflict resolution and expressing feelings respectfully.
• Family/relationship-based interventions: Improves family understanding of anger and its consequences.

Loneliness

• Loneliness is a negative feeling that occurs when social relations don't meet expectations/needs or are in isolation.
• It's different from being alone; a person can be alone but not feel lonely and surrounded by others.
• Loneliness is related more to the quality than quantity of relationships. Individuals feel relationships do not meet their expectations and needs or are misunderstood.
• Married Australians are least lonely, while those separated/divorced are more likely.
• Loneliness is associated with worse physical and mental health. and higher anxiety about social interactions.

Bullying

• Bullying is deliberate and repeated harm to someone else.
• It can be physical or emotional.
• Common in school, workplaces, and online (cyberbullying).
• Cyberbullying involves spreading rumors, sending threats, sharing embarrassing images, and excluding people online.
• Symptoms of bullying in children include getting hurt, experiencing nightmares, and refusing to go to school.
• Symptoms of workplace bullying include psychological trauma, and economic distress.
• Strategies for dealing with bullying include increasing supervision, clear rules and consequences, and teaching social skills.

Grief

• Grief is a natural reaction to loss, influencing physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of life.
• This is true across a variety of losses like death, separation, serious injury, loss of a home, or a crisis.
• People cope with grief in different ways and the intensity/duration can vary depending on individuals.
• Grief can involve sadness, guilt, remorse, anxiety, loneliness, helplessness, shock, disbelief, and feelings of yearning or relief.
• Cognitive changes during grief include confusion, difficulty concentrating, preoccupation with the loss, a loss of interest in enjoyable activities, and vivid dreams or nightmares.
• Physical and behavioral responses can involve muscle tightness, tiredness, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, appetite changes, restlessness, or avoiding locations/people related to the loss.
• The process of grief differs for everyone, and there is no timetable for grief.
• Complicated grief can involve negative thoughts about the fairness or unfairness of a situation leading to isolation, or prolonged feelings of sadness.

Overthinking

• Overthinking is common but can be exhausting. Emotionally intelligent people often overthink due to a combination of self-analysis and vulnerability.
• Overthinking may occur when a person reflects and assesses personal accountability, gaining insight through uncomfortable feelings and evolves.
• Overthinking may occur due to a major life change and a need for reassessment of identity, including a feeling of vulnerability to loss.
• A partner's behavior, such as denial of accountability, may further exacerbate the problem causing difficulty with managing thoughts, and feelings.

Trauma

• Trauma is a distressing reaction to a frightening or distressing event. Events affect a person's ability to cope/function.
• Reactions vary based on individuals and can range from distress from the immediate event to long term problems.
• Reactions include physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional symptoms that can escalate.
• Symptoms include: physical symptoms, such as excessive alertness, being easily startled; cognitive symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts; behavioral symptoms, like avoiding situations, and emotional symptoms, like anxiety and detachment.
• Many people recover from trauma with adequate social support, but others experience chronic mental conditions PTSD, depression or drug problems.
• There are several effective psychological treatments, and support is needed for people suffering more severe symptoms and distress.

Narcissism

• Narcissists are characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, a need for excessive admiration, and the belief that one is unique or deserving of special treatment.
• Pathological narcissism is rare and causes significant friction in relationships.
• Narcissists are typically viewed as more self-centered.
• There is a growing perception that narcissism is increasing in younger people.
• There may be benefits to some forms of narcissism, like mental toughness and high achievement, despite the potential for harm in relationships.

How Partners Commit Relationship Sabotage;

• Defensiveness
• Trust issues
• Difficulty with communication
• Fear of vulnerability
• Unmet expectations of the partner

How to Handle a Narcissist;

• Acknowledge your feelings and where behavior comes from.
• Set emotional boundaries and maintain emotional distance.

Dealing with a Narcissistic Boss;

• Manage expectations.
• Align successes with the boss's goals.
• Draw boundaries.
• Avoid arguing.
• Justify or explain yourself.

Success of Narcissists as Leaders;

• High drive for power, attention, and affirmation.
• Typically more concerned in self-promotion and suppressing opposition than goals.
• Often lack empathy, leading to poor loyalty.

PTSD

• PTSD is a disorder triggered by a traumatic event.
• Symptoms may include: intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance of places/situations; emotional numbness, and negative moods.
• Trauma can be caused by violence, disasters, loss, abuse or being in dangerous situations.
• Support from friends, family and other sources can help in treatment and recovery.