In this seminar, Sam Vaknin explored the complex psychology of pathological narcissism, explaining it as a result of childhood trauma and arrested development, characterized by repetition compulsion, emotional dysregulation, and a pervasive self-loathing. He detailed the cyclical nature of relationships with narcissists, including love bombing, idealization, devaluation, and discard, emphasizing the narcissist’s unconscious attempt to resolve early maternal conflicts through intimate partners. Vaknin highlighted that narcissists, lacking true self-love and stable identity, use their partners to fulfill unmet developmental needs, ultimately leading to a toxic dynamic where separation and individuation can only occur through devaluation and discard.