After the response from Sunday's post on how to spot a cult leader, there has been a lot of emails to the SBSB newsroom (As well as Norm Scott's groundbreaking analysis on Sociopaths), and some tweets as well, wondering when Dr Hans von Schlaggel  currently the director of the Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, or in English, Institute of Severe Psychiatric Disorders, will be sharing is expertise about Narcissism.


The good news is that Dr von Schlaggel has emailed this latest blog post just now and we here at SBSB are going to share it with you.

For those who have not read the writings of Dr von Schlaggel check out his past contributions on SBSB about Malignant Personality Disorder and OCD/Control issues. We turn over these pages to Dr von Schlagge.

Danke Herr Bronx Teacher and danke to your readers.

Vat ist a narcissist. Since the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was, how you say? rewrote a few years ago der has been some changes on the diagnosis and traits aus Narcissism.

Vat is a narcissist? Let's see vat DSM-V says.

The essential features of a personality disorder are impairments in personality (self and interpersonal) functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits. To diagnose narcissistic personality disorder, the following criteria must be met:

A. Significant impairments in  personality functioning manifest by: 1. Impairments in  self functioning  (a or b): a. Identity : Excessive reference to others for self - definition  and self - esteem regulation; exaggerated self - appraisal  may be inflated or deflated, or vacillate  between extremes;  emotional regulation mirrors fluctuations in self - esteem. b. Self - direction : Goal - setting is based on gaining approval  from others; personal standards are unreasonably high in  order to see oneself as exceptional, or too low based on a  sense of entitlement; often unaware of own motivations.

 Und....

2. Impairments in  interpersonal functioning (a or b): a. Empathy : Impaired ability to recognize or identify with the  feelings and needs of others; excessively attuned to  reactions of others, but only if perceived as relevant to self;  over - or underestimate of own effect on others. b. Intimacy : Relationships largely superficial and exist to  serve self - esteem regulation; mutuality constrained by little  genuine interest in others‟ experiences and predominance  of a need for personal gain B. Pathological  personality traits in the following ___domain: 1. Antagonism , characterized by: a. Grandiosity : Feelings of entitlement, either overt or covert; 

Self - centeredness; firmly holding to the belief that one is better than others;  condescending toward others. b. Attention seeking : Excessive attempts to attract and be  the focus of the attention of others; admiration seeking. C. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s  personality trait expression are relatively  stable across time and  consistent across situations. D. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s  personality trait expression are not better understood as normative  for the individual‟s developmental stage or socio - cultural  environment . E. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s  personality trait expression are not solely due to the direct  physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse,  medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., severe head trauma).

I also read paper by a collegue at der Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen who Hit Nagel auf den Kopf or as you say in der English "hit nail on head.",

The most telling thing that narcissists do is contradict themselves. They will do this virtually in the same sentence, without even stopping to take a breath. It can be trivial (e.g., about what they want for lunch) or it can be serious (e.g., about whether or not they love you). When you ask them which one they mean, they'll deny ever saying the first one, though it may literally have been only seconds since they said it -- really, how could you think they'd ever have said that? You need to have your head examined! They will contradict FACTS. They will lie to you about things that you did together. They will misquote you to yourself. If you disagree with them, they'll say you're lying, making stuff up, or are crazy. [At this point, if you're like me, you sort of panic and want to talk to anyone who will listen about what is going on: this is a healthy reaction; it's a reality check ("who's the crazy one here?"); that you're confused by the narcissist's contrariness, that you turn to another person to help you keep your bearings, that you know something is seriously wrong and worry that it might be you are all signs that you are not a narcissist]

Und...

Narcissists are totally and inflexibly authoritarian. In other words, they are suck-ups. They want to be authority figures and, short of that, they want to be associated with authority figures. In their hearts, they know they can't think well, have no judgment about what matters, are not connected with the world they inhabit, so they cling fanatically to the opinions of people they regard as authority figures -- such as their parents, teachers, doctors, ministers. Where relevant, this may include scientists or professors or artists, but narcissists stick to people they know personally, since they aren't engaged enough with the world to get their authoritative opinions from TV, movies, books or dead geniuses/saints/heroes. If they get in trouble over some or another opinion they've put forth, they'll blame the source -- "It was okay with Dr. Somebody," "My father taught me that," etc. If you're still thinking of the narcissist as odd-but-normal, this shirking of responsibility will seem dishonest and craven -- well, it is but it's really an admission of weakness: they really mean it: they said what they said because someone they admire or fear said it and they're trying to borrow that person's strength.

So der you have it. If you are ever in Vienna stop by der  Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen and if you mention Frank Sinatra Jr you will get a free diagnosis on der house by me.

Auf Wiedersehen!!!

For some reason or another I feel as if I have been transported back to Hebrew School. Back to when I was in 9th grade and in conformation class. I recall that I was part of a presentation to the younger students on cults.

My part of the presentation was what does a cult leader look like. My example at the time, and I did not know better, was that a cult leader looked like John Lennon. Golly, was I wrong.

We know now that a cult leader can look like or be anyone. He can be your next door neighbor, the manager at McDonald's or dressed in a well tailored suit and tie from Barney's.

So owe here decided to expand on the lesson given to little Jewish boys and girls back in 1978 and really delve into the traits of a cult leader. This list will come in handy in case you or a friend are might be being recruited or already under the auspices  of a cult leader and do not know it. Print this list out and put it in your wallet just in case.


1.He has a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve.

2.Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.

3.Demands blind unquestioned obedience.

4.Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.

5.Has a sense of entitlement - expecting to be treated special at all times.

6.Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude.

7.Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.

8.Is hypersensitive to how he is seen or perceived by others.

9.Publicly devalues others as being inferior, incapable, or not worthy.

10.Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.

11.Needs to be the center of attention and does things to distract others to insure that he or she is being noticed by arriving late, using exotic clothing, over dramatic speech, or by making theatrical entrances.

12.Doesn’t seem to listen well to needs of others, communication is usually one-way in the form of dictates.

13.Haughtiness, grandiosity, and the need to be controlling is part of his personality.

14.Behaves as though people are objects to be used, manipulated or exploited for personal gain.

15.When criticized he tends to lash out not just with anger but with rage.

16.Anyone who criticizes or questions him is called an “enemy.”

17.Refers to non-members or non-believers in him as “the enemy.”

18.Acts imperious at times, not wishing to know what others think or desire.

19.Believes himself to be omnipotent.

20.Has “magical” answers or solutions to problems.

21.Is superficially charming.

22.Habitually puts down others as inferior and only he is superior.

23.Has a certain coldness or aloofness about him that makes others worry about who this person really is and or whether they really know him.

24.Is deeply offended when there are perceived signs of boredom, being ignored or of being slighted.

25.Treats others with contempt and arrogance.

26.Is constantly assessing for those who are a threat or those who revere him.

27.The word “I” dominates his conversations. He is oblivious to how often he references himself.

28.Hates to be embarrassed or fail publicly - when he does he acts out with rage.

29.Doesn’t seem to feel guilty for anything he has done wrong nor does he apologize for his actions.

30.Believes he possesses the answers and solutions to world problems.

31.Believes himself to be a deity or a chosen representative of a deity.

32.Rigid, unbending, or insensitive describes how this person thinks.

33.Has stated that he is “destined for greatness” or that he will be “martyred.”

34.Seems to be highly dependent of tribute and adoration and will often fish for compliments.

35.Uses sycophants to insure compliance from members or believers.

36.Sees self as “unstoppable” perhaps has even said so.

37.Doesn’t think there is anything wrong with himself – in fact sees himself as perfection or “blessed.”

There you have it. If you know of anyone with these traits or are yourself following someone with these traits it is not to late to leave. You can do it.

Later this week: Dr Hans von Schlaggel from Vienna, the director of the Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, or in English, Institute of Severe Psychiatric Disorders will be back to blog about Narcissism. What is it and how do we spot it?

What was it with that movie, "Sleeping with the Enemy?" Every girl, including my girlfriend at the time, wanted to see that movie. Not the best movie, but definitely creepy, and who can forget Patrick Bergin as Julia Robert's husband Martin Burney? Certainly not the staff of PS 154.

Remember Martin? He of the anal retentive, OCD, perfectionist, micro managing, control freak,
patronizing, condescending, and smarter (so Martin Burney believed) than everyone else type? One must wonder. Did Martin Burney met his demise in the movie? Maybe not. For he has been seen at PS 154 in the Bronx.

Remember how Martin was so fastidious in his insistence that all the cans in the cupboard were facing the same way with the label out? Well, Martin Burney at PS 154 has no labels to insist upon facing label, but does insist that all bulletin boards are the same all over the school. There is to be no deviation from this. If there is, instead of the physical beating that Julia Roberts got, staff instead is subject to a written beating in the form of a 300 page treatise criticizing you in the most raw form imaginable. This treatise oozes with venom, sarcasm, and worse type of condescension possible.

Recall how Martin Burney, after a night of beating Julia Roberts said, "Oh, how I hate it when we quarrel?" Seems the same thing happens at PS 154. But after a beating of hearing how horrible you are as a teacher, 154's Martin Burney will act concerned and claim that the abuse is only to help you grow as a teacher.

Oh, how about this? When Martin Burney beat up Julia Roberts because he thought she was checking out their neighbor? Martin Burney at PS 154 does the same. Only just a verbal beat down when one shows a modicum of independent thought.

So what is it with Martin Burney? What makes Martin Burney such a anal retentive, OCD, perfectionist, micro managing, control freak, patronizing, condescending, and smarter (so Martin Bruney believed) than everyone else type?

We here at SBSB asked back Dr Hans von Schlaggel from Vienna, Austria. Dr von Schlaggel is currently the director of the Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, or in English, Institute of Severe Psychiatric Disorders. For those that might have forgotten, Dr von Schlaggel discussed malignant narcissism back in 2009.

So we here at SBSB turn it over to Dr von Schlaggel.

Danke, Herr Teacher in the Bronx, and guten tag to all the loyal followers of this blog. I hope this evening finds you well.

So, vhat ve vant to know is vhy someone such as Martin Burney is a control freak, or as we say in Vienna, "Ein total verrückter geistige Arbeit"

Oh Dies ist so einfach, er, I meant, this is so simple. A control freak is a perfectionist, or in German, a perfektionistisch. This person sinks that;

Control freaks are often perfectionists defending themselves against their own inner vulnerabilities in the belief that if they are not in total control they risk exposing themselves once more to childhood angst

If we read the DSMR-V control freakishness is a diagnosis and eet iz caused by childhood traumas. Now in dee case of Martin Burney they are perfectionists as adults because they feelt that they did not get love from their daddy. In der minds they felt that nothing they did was ever guden for daddy.

Ah, but there is more;

Such persons manipulate and pressure others to change so as to avoid having to change themselves, and use power over others to escape an inner emptiness.

Oh my! Such Menschen are, how you say in English? Ah, yes, miserable, so they must make others miserable as well and make others conform to they own version of perfection. But such people have an inner emptiness. Like they are missing zomething in their lives. Perhaps neglecting close loved ones.

Control freaks appear to have some similarities to codependents, in the sense that the latter's  fear of abandonment leads to attempts to control those they are dependent on

See, like the Frau already mentioned, Martin Burney has a feeling that Vater will say Auf Wiedersehen to his kleines Mädchen, er, I forgot  I am not in Vienna, his little Martin Burney, but the little Martin Burney feels if Martin Burney is perfect Vater will stay.


Ja, it iz very complex, but a control freak is very insecure and iz that way from child hood trauma caused by daddy.

Ein thing I would like to add. Control freaks, or perfectionists, love the John Lennon song, Instant Karma. 

 As we say at the strudel shoppe in Vienna, "That Martin Burney is one fucked up person!"

Thank you so much Dr von Schlaggel. We here at SBSB look forward to you joining us again and let's hope and pray it will be real soon, not another 4 years.

Martin Burney is nuts. Martin Burney needs to go to Vienna.

To the regular readers, today's column is being turned over to Dr Hans von Schlaggel from Vienna, Austria. Dr von Schlaggel is currently the director of the Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, or in English, Institute of Severe Psychiatric Disorders. Dr von Schlaggel has been a reader of the blog since its inception and has graciously diagnosed Dear Principal John Deacon's deep embedded psychiatric disorder and will share it here today. So without any further ado, please welcome the good doctor.