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In this episode we dive into one of the most hidden struggles of healing from narcissism: why success doesn’t always feel like success. What if every new achievement, every step forward, only brings dread instead of relief? Together, we explore the deeper truth behind this paradox—the way grandiose fantasies once acted as armor against unbearable shame, fear of exposure, and early wounds of not being “enough.” Through a powerful clinical example, we uncover the heart of the narcissistic bind: the longing to be truly seen, and the terror of being exposed. This conversation gets to the core of what it really means to heal—not by chasing perfection, but by learning to live with vulnerability, complexity, and authentic selfhood.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here
Next Meeting: October is Full - stayed tuned for our next meeting
For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here
You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on:
https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder
https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
By Dr. Anthony Mazzella4.5
1717 ratings
In this episode we dive into one of the most hidden struggles of healing from narcissism: why success doesn’t always feel like success. What if every new achievement, every step forward, only brings dread instead of relief? Together, we explore the deeper truth behind this paradox—the way grandiose fantasies once acted as armor against unbearable shame, fear of exposure, and early wounds of not being “enough.” Through a powerful clinical example, we uncover the heart of the narcissistic bind: the longing to be truly seen, and the terror of being exposed. This conversation gets to the core of what it really means to heal—not by chasing perfection, but by learning to live with vulnerability, complexity, and authentic selfhood.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here
Next Meeting: October is Full - stayed tuned for our next meeting
For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here
You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on:
https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder
https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

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