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5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life

Identifying and dealing with narcissists, sociopaths and other high-conflict personalities.

Cluster B
Can You Disagree Without Making It Personal?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 20, 2024

With shortening attention spans, people seem also to have a limited ability to tolerate disagreements for very long. It can be tempting to make it personal.

With shortening attention spans, people seem also to have a limited ability to tolerate disagreements for very long. It can be tempting to make it personal.

Marriage
Is Marriage Good or Bad for Women?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 8, 2024

A popular new book suggests that women should get divorced to be happy. Does this fit with the research on most married women's satisfaction with marriage?

A popular new book suggests that women should get divorced to be happy. Does this fit with the research on most married women's satisfaction with marriage?

Politics
Why Political Polarization Grows—And How to Reduce It

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on February 4, 2024

Polarization in groups tends to be emotionally driven. Research shows that addressing this through personal contact with others with opposing views can reduce it.

Polarization in groups tends to be emotionally driven. Research shows that addressing this through personal contact with others with opposing views can reduce it.

Parental Alienation
Should Alienated Parents Apologize to Their Children?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 28, 2023

In parental alienation, the source of a child's rejection of one parent is primarily the other parent's emotions and behavior. Asking the rejected parent to apologize is misplaced.

In parental alienation, the source of a child's rejection of one parent is primarily the other parent's emotions and behavior. Asking the rejected parent to apologize is misplaced.

Forgiveness
When Not to Apologize

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 29, 2023

The words “I’m sorry” can be easily misused by high-conflict people preoccupied with blaming others.

The words “I’m sorry” can be easily misused by high-conflict people preoccupied with blaming others.

Sociopathy
How Sociopaths Can Con Therapists in Legal Disputes

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 25, 2023

Therapists are increasingly asked to assess or comment on mental health issues in legal disputes. Sometimes, they are conned by sociopaths who figure out their weaknesses.

Therapists are increasingly asked to assess or comment on mental health issues in legal disputes. Sometimes, they are conned by sociopaths who figure out their weaknesses.

Anxiety
The Role of Anxiety in Parental Alienation

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on June 28, 2023

Parental alienation occurs in about 20-25 percent of custody disputes. While a lot of anger is often generated over who to blame, managing intense emotions may help.

Parental alienation occurs in about 20-25 percent of custody disputes. While a lot of anger is often generated over who to blame, managing intense emotions may help.

Parental Alienation
Parental Alienation and the Child’s Brain

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 31, 2023

Some children resist being with a parent during a high-conflict divorce. If the situation is not resolved quickly, changes in the child's brain may make the rejection permanent.

Some children resist being with a parent during a high-conflict divorce. If the situation is not resolved quickly, changes in the child's brain may make the rejection permanent.

Grief
Why High Conflict People Are Often Stuck in the Past

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 30, 2023

If you know someone who constantly argues about what happened and seems stuck in the past, you may be dealing with a high-conflict person who cannot grieve and heal.

If you know someone who constantly argues about what happened and seems stuck in the past, you may be dealing with a high-conflict person who cannot grieve and heal.

Narcissism
Narcissistic and Antisocial Personalities: Similar but Different

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on February 5, 2023

People with narcissistic or antisocial personalities have some similar characteristics. But knowing the differences can help you adapt your approach to dealing with each of them.

People with narcissistic or antisocial personalities have some similar characteristics. But knowing the differences can help you adapt your approach to dealing with each of them.

Narcissism
3 Secret Powers of Narcissistic Bullies

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 28, 2022

Narcissistic bullies catch their targets by surprise with at least three secret powers. These can be learned in order to protect oneself from them.

Narcissistic bullies catch their targets by surprise with at least three secret powers. These can be learned in order to protect oneself from them.

Bias
How to Overcome Confirmation Bias in High Conflict Divorce

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 27, 2022

High-conflict divorce often includes allegations of abuse or alienation. Confirmation bias makes things worse. Parents and professionals need to understand how to avoid this.

High-conflict divorce often includes allegations of abuse or alienation. Confirmation bias makes things worse. Parents and professionals need to understand how to avoid this.

Bullying
Bully in Your Life? You're Not Alone

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 12, 2022

Bullies are gaining attention and influencing our culture worldwide. Everyone should be prepared to face one by learning their basic personality patterns.

Bullies are gaining attention and influencing our culture worldwide. Everyone should be prepared to face one by learning their basic personality patterns.

Politics
Are We All Becoming More Hostile Online?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 30, 2022

While it seems that all of us have become more hostile online, research shows that it may be a special group of people who provide the negativity.

While it seems that all of us have become more hostile online, research shows that it may be a special group of people who provide the negativity.