Q&A: What is the difference between a Narcissist and a Psychopath?

Question: What is the difference between a Narcissist and a Psychopath? ( I omitted some of more personal details from the original question, but the reader basically wanted to know whether a female figure that used to be a very significant part of his life would be classified as a Narcissist or psychopath and shared that this question seems to have a lot to do with his recovery) 

Answer:  The way I understand it, Narcissists are far more invested in their self-image - or, more accurately, your opinion of their image which they then translate as their own sense of self, and Psychopaths are so completely disinterested in your self besides your (very limited) function in their lives and also so socially incompetent that they can not even fake their way into any kind of lasting relationships for too long - they just get what they want by whatever means necessary and then move on. So if she is trying to deny wrongdoing/maintain her "positive" image and appears to be saddened or angered by your less than encouraging feedback, she is an N in my book, as I believe a Psychopath wouldn't care either way once they got what they wanted out of you. This is, however, a view of the person who has studied and explored the scientific take on the subject - the popular "conversation" often equates and/or confuses too types, and they sometimes overlap in one person's view and then differ a lot in another. I hope this helps, and I also wish realization that the past ought not to control your life right now. It is extremely difficult to separate your past experiences from your current perceptions of yourself and your relationships and requires a lot of healing- I realize that-  but a spirited attempt to do so is imperative to recovery and the better future. 

Q&A: Breaking the "Narcissistic" pattern.

Here is a message I have recently received (after requesting and receiving permission to publicize our conversation, I am provided a lightly edited version here)

"Thank you for posting your videos. They are cogent and insightful and make a very difficult subject much easier to understand. I imagine lots and lots of people out there owe you a debt of gratitude for helping them.

I found your videos because I began to question my own behaviors and patterns in life and recognized that I might be a narcissist with NPD.

A lot of your videos are emphatic with the struggles of people with NPD. I was wondering if you could direct me to some resources for moving forward and overcoming these disordered behaviors. I have lost good people from my life because of my behaviors and feel wracked with guilt when I think of how I must have hurt them, so I think I genuinely want to change. Do you have any advice you can offer?
(...)."

First off, I would like to thank the author of this letter for his kind and encouraging words - I always feel great when I receive positive feedback from people, as it makes me re-focus on the main thing I aim to achieve with my work : to help people discover new ways to get in touch with the power of com[passion and insight within them.

Here is the answer I sent to this person:

"Hi, Neil! :) Thank you for writing! Recently I realized that the best way I know to really "ease" the behaviors that wound our own and many other people's lives is to try and gain some perspective on the WHOLE situation by stepping away from the "drama" of being a person the way our society defines it  - when you are identified with your "role" of a friend, father, husband etc. 

The best way I found to go ahead and submerge in the totality of the human experience  beyond the roles we play is to dis-identify with those through meditation or any other spiritual practice that lets you feel the unity with the entire existence, not just your own body and mind.

If you are OK with it, you can start by sitting down for a few brief moments and paying "non-verbal" attention to some object or process outside your midstream. Many advise to pay attention to your breath, but really anything would do as long as you aim to *perceive* it rather than analyze it and categorize it and criticize it :) in your mind. If you just see it for what it is then you achieved the needed state (no need to strain though, of course, you understand - just "ease" into it) So then gradually you can expand your awareness (with no actual thinking) to feel a different kind of depth and connection to everything, and then your previous patterns of behavior will transcend as well.  

I find this a lot more effective, as well as (and may be because it is) more gentle and considerate to yourself - as oppose to trying to "will" your mind and ego into doing something other than what it wants to do and therefore assuring more resistance :) Please do ask more questions if you like or better yet simply look up more info on meditation/expanded awareness and self perception, since there are many great people who have already discussed that at length.(...) Thank you for being responsible for your behavior and looking to address it - we are all better off because of people like you! Take good care and best wishes to you! <3"

I am happy to say, Neil later wrote to let me know that he found the advice helpful and it is bringing him greater peace, which, in turn, made me feel again that this whole thing is completely if I could help one human being feel better.

Thank you all for reading -  BEST WISHES to you too!