The concept of "character disturbance" has been largely subsumed under the DSM 5 TR's umbrella of personality disorders. The evolving model reflects the idea that personality disorders are dimensional in nature, manifest varying levels of personality dysfunction and include specific traits such as narcissistic traits.


The stereotypical grandiose narcissist/egocentric is the subject of books on corporate moguls, reality television, forensic psychology and blog communities worldwide. However, the behaviours exhibited can be replete with paradoxes, and interventions IF they actually attend for therapy are commonly not formulaic nor effective.


The DSM does now acknowledge the covert, passive-aggressive, subtle and stealthy forms of the broader diagnosis as a subtype. But the slow-burn erosion of confidence, competence, accompanying depression and anxiety and the power of 'crazymaking' and uncharacteristically compulsive behaviour in the target of this insidious version of the disorder can be devastating. Whilst the body of work by psychiatrists, psychologists, targets and victims on underhanded self-serving influence is increasing, the hope that is pinned on assertive appeals to decency and fairness, textbook attempts at boundary setting and the addiction to hope that such methods will cultivate empathy and sustained change are often fruitless in the boss or the colleague, the lover or the parent.


This presentation will summarise some of the myths, facts and some of the more subtle and paradoxical behaviours surrounding these covert, calculated and destructive traits seen in the workplace and the community. Using vivid case examples from her 30 year organisational psychology practice in corporate and community, the presenter will explore the intersection of nature and nurture in the perpetrator of abuse and the target, debunk some myths and offer organisational and therapeutic strategies for health and healing.