Is Vanguard a Narcissist?

Mental Health Check: Is Vanguard the world's most ethical, judo-tough, top three problem solvers in the world or is he just a crazed and toxic narcissist?
According to MSN.com, The recently published 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) lists the nine criteria for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
As I was reading it, I could not help think of a certain leader of a cult I have written about.
Here are DSM’s requirements (slightly condensed, with minor bracketed amendments by Dr. Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and the author of Paradoxical Strategies in Psychotherapy.) for a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
  1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance.
  2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
  3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should only associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
  4. Requires excessive admiration [regularly fishes for compliments, and is highly susceptible to flattery].
  5. Has a sense of entitlement.
  6. Is interpersonally exploitative.
  7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling [or, I would add, unable] to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
  8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
  9. Shows arrogant, haughty [rude and abusive] behaviors or attitudes

Dr. Seltzer adds six more [condensed and with bracketed amendments by me] of a toxic narcissist.

1. Are highly reactive to criticism.

If they’re asked a question that might oblige them to admit some vulnerability, deficiency, or culpability, they’re apt to falsify the evidence (i.e., lie), hastily change the subject, or respond as though they’d been asked something entirely different.

2. Have low self-esteem.

Their self-regard would appear to be higher and more assured than anyone else’s and it’s not uncommon for them to rise to positions of power and influence, as well as amass [or steal] a fortune. But beneath the surface—is a degree of insecurity vastly beyond anything they might be willing to avow.

They’re highly skilled at exhibiting, or “posturing,” high self-esteem. But their deep insecurities are discernible in their fishing for compliments, their penchant for bragging and boasting about their [bogus] achievements [or even their need to be called some kind of exalted title like say for instance “Vanguard”]. They’re also experts at complimenting themselves!

3. Can be inordinately self-righteous and defensive.

Anything said or done that they perceive as questioning their competence can activate their self-protective mechanisms. It’s almost as though their survival depends on being right or justified [and even suing or having people killed if they have some hieress’ money is possible – so be careful], whereas humbly admitting a mistake—or, for that matter, uttering the words “I’m sorry” [or ‘I am not the smartest person in the world’] for some mistake —seems impossible for them.

Their “my way or the highway” [or “I’ll see you dead or in prison”] attitude in decision-making—their stubborn, competitive insistence that their point of view prevail—betrays doubts about not being good [ethical], strong, or smart enough.

And the more their pretentious, privileged, exaggeratedly puffed-up self-image feels endangered by another’s position, the more likely they are to…

4. React to contrary viewpoints with anger or rage.

Angry outbursts [or vicious lawsuits if they have heiress’ money] are almost intrinsic to narcissistic personality disorder. They  react with heated emotion when others bring their insecurities too close to the surface.

The reason that anger and rage are expressed by them is that in the moment they externalize the more painful anxiety- or shame-related emotions hiding just beneath them. When they’re on the verge of feeling—or re-feeling—some hurt or humiliation from their past, their rage “transfers” these unwanted feelings to another.  [If only they could get Exploration of Meaning Therapy]

If the mentally healthier individual has no clue as to what provoked their outburst in the first place, such a sudden explosion is likely to make them feel baffled and hurt, maybe even frightened, [or terrorized or dead].

5. Project onto others qualities, traits, and behaviors they can’t—or won’t—accept in themselves.

They habitually redirect any unfavorable appraisal of themselves outwards, unconsciously trusting that doing so will forever keep at bay their deepest suspicions about themselves [like they are stupid, not really a judo champion and can’t even play the piano that well, and that without pathological lying and/or having Bronfman millions there would be no place on earth that would want them outside of a dank prison]. Getting anywhere close to being obliged to confront the darkness at their innermost core can be very scary, for in reality, their emotional resources are woefully underdeveloped.

One of the most reliable ways for them to feel “safe” in a world they’re alienated from—is to invalidate, devalue, denigrate [or sue] others. They’ll focus on others’ flaws rather than come to terms with their own. [In an extreme case they’ll create a cult where they are acknowledged as supreme and all-knowing and their role is to uncover flaws in others to help them – while the actually seek to destroy or enslave them.]

6. Have poor interpersonal boundaries.

They can’t tell where they end and the other person begins. Unconsciously viewing others as “extensions” of themselves, they regard them as existing primarily to serve their own needs—just as they routinely put their needs before everyone else’s (even their own students).

Since others are regarded, if they’re regarded at all, as “narcissistic supplies”—existing chiefly to cater to their personal desires—they generally don’t think about others other than how they might “use” them to their own advantage. Whatever narcissists seek to give themselves, they generally expect to get from others, which is another dimension of their sense of entitlement.

They might share how they “chewed” someone out, [or got rid of their “issues”] and expect the other person to be impressed by their courage or cleverness, when in fact the listener may be appalled by their lack of kindness, tact, or restraint. Additionally, they may ask others questions that are far too personal or intimate—upsetting them [and then later hold that as collateral to blackmail them or intimidate them]. Such a situation can be difficult for the other person if the narcissist is in a position of authority over them [say like being their Vanguard] so that not responding could, practically, put them in some jeopardy [get them banished or sued or worse].

 

 

About the author

Frank Parlato

35 Comments

Click here to post a comment

Please leave a comment: Your opinion is important to us! (Email & username are optional. To leave a name, click on the email icon)

    • KAR is no dummy. May even have a type of criminal “genius” insofar as manipulating, deceiving — bending others to his will through deception. How many really believed his powers and teachings, mostly “sexually-transmitted” energies would ensure the riddance of their problems and “ethical” fulfillment of their dreams?

      It’s true that the whole, singular high IQ test it appears Keith has ever taken was rigged; a fraud he carried on for decades. But he’s not stupid or ignorant. Knew, calculated, exactly what he was doing, escalating it step by stepped on, every day he walked free while others bled.

  • Narcissism is one of his milder traits. As others have stated, he is also a dangerous sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he believes he deserves. He has no feelings for anyone so he can hurt others without giving it a thought. He has been gradually escalating for decades, from merely tricking people out of their money (CBI) to outright theft, abuse and possibly murder.

      • Good point, ION. I have no doubt it’s true. And, I believe —as Keith himself admitted — some lives were lost, as you say, already in Keith’s desperation to keep getting away with greater and greater crimes against more and more victims.

        Thank God the Eastern District NY FBI and DOJ undertook an investigation starting at the top of the pyramid instead of picking on the “chub” used to entice and distract less courageous, perhaps more corrupt, law enforcement pockets.

  • Keith fit every category of a narcissist , he may have even invented a few new ones, he couldnt even come up with his own original cult, he stole bits and pieces from those who tried before him. Was he born evil? If he has any real intelligence then he was aware of the harm he did to others and simply didn’t care. I’m sorry he won’t face the death penalty, as long as he lives the Pea’s will revere him, at least he will be locked up. Charles Manson never made it out . Neither will KAR

  • Keith has always think of himself as a víctim. He tought his believers to always see him just as a victm, because he knew he would always be accused, because he his a criminal.

  • Is Keith a narcissist?

    Let’s see: KAR had his MONOGRAM forcibly carved into the pelvic flesh of girls young enough to be his granddaughters with a searing hot cauterizing pen, without anesthetic, under less than sanitary conditions. He also robbed, raped, extorted, exploited and brain washed them. He once casually admitted he had some of them killed. He may have induced a few to commit suicide. He plotted to have “enemies” kidnapped on cruise ships or jailed in Mexico. For starters.

    …But, IDK, “narcissist” may be a bit harsh for such a “soft” guy.

  • Let’s get something straight Vanguard is not a narcissist. He is the most beautiful human being in the world. It was us the women who wanted to have him as our beloved. I remember one of the women saying that if she were to awaken to a new life 10000 years from and could see him even in a fleeting glimpse there is only two words she would utter ‘my darling ‘. This is what you fools cannot understand. How he inspires us the wives of Keith to achieve higher and ever higher dreams and visions. He is not a narcissist he is the ultimate humble person and he exudes charisma and endomorphins making him the sexiest man alive. No man compares to him it is no sacrifice to give up other men he is the ONLY MAN!

    • Pea,
      If it makes you female fans of Keith happy, maybe the government should build a prison on an isolated island and sentence you ladies to the exact same sentence Keith serves.
      And every day each of you ladies get to mud wrestle each other for that day’s honor of milking Keith of his vital life force.
      Every day you gals can enjoy a generous 800 calorie vegan diet.
      Every night will feature marathon volleyball games.

    • “Endomorphins”?

      Is that like extra special changing endorphins? Kind of like the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are special changing teenagers?

      LOL.

      • “The endomorph tends to gain weight and keep it on. Their build is a little wider than an ectomorph or mesomorph, with a thick ribcage, wide hips, and shorter limbs. They may have more muscle than either of the other body types, but they often struggle to gain it without significant amounts of accompanying body fat.Jul 16, 2018”

    • Sadly you cant see what he has taken from you. An equal partnership with love that goes both ways, children of your own to raise and give you joy you cannot imagine. No matter what he has convinced you he is to you, you could have so much more. I realize I’m writing to someone who may not be real. Whatever he is it’s over . NXIVM is over , cults that are brought into the light do not recover. Move on there is no more Vanguard

  • Sounds like the current President of the US too. Listening to an Omarasoa interview and thinking Frank is the Omarosa of NXIIVM or maybe Omarosa is the Frank Parlato of the Trump cult.

    • Why do you say “Trump cult”? Why not liberal cult? Why not PC cult? Why not SJW cult? People voted for Trump because they have real concerns that don’t revolve around identity politics that revolve around hating them. They want jobs, border protection, crime to be dealt with and more. They are sick of liberal mainstream media shitting on them. It is the same reason why Brexit happened. The German and Swedish far right are waking up. Hungary voted in a man on a anti-globalist anti George Soros campaign. Austria, led by the youngest world leader has a far right/right wing coalition. There is a right wing wave because people are sick of smug liberals shitting on them. Maybe, just maybe, they are not KKK, nazis, fascists or what ever insult you like to call people who disagree with you. There is no Trump cult. People voted for policy, not for the candidate. If Trump spontaneously disappears, his voters will still want the same policies. Stop trying to belittle people with your liberal cult bullshit.

  • How do narcissists handle being locked up? Obviously he will never except his part in his punishment, I imagine he will continue to believe there’s a way out. Will it ever sink in to him that it’s not going to happen? He’s not going to be rescued.

  • Yes. As I posted earlier, he displays clear signs of both sociopathy and narcissism. He’s also a hedonist. He thinks being on this planet for a limited time makes his own self-satisfaction to the max his numero uno priority. He thinks social mores don’t apply to him, being an inconvenience for his desire resolution. I believe a story posted earlier here by a woman who went on a date with him decades ago manifested such attitudes when he asked for sex on the first date and when he was refused his attitude changed and the date was effectively over.

  • Has a grandiose sense of self-importance.
    I have the highest IQ in the world.

    Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
    Executive Success Program

    Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should only associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
    Who were Raniere’s top followers?
    Wealthy heiresses (Bronfmans and Pam Cafritz
    Actresses.
    Children of Mexican politicians and businessmen.

    Requires excessive admiration [regularly fishes for compliments, and is highly susceptible to flattery].
    How long was his annual birthday party?
    12 Days.

    Has a sense of entitlement.
    My clothes just magically appear when I need them.

    Is interpersonally exploitative.
    You’re my number 1 girl friend. I only sleep with the others because I’m mentoring them.

    Lacks empathy: is unwilling [or, I would add, unable] to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
    “You have problems with jealousy.”

    Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
    The Story of NXIVM.

    Shows arrogant, haughty [rude and abusive] behaviors or attitudes
    Puts his followers on starvation diets.

    How many ex-lovers did Raniere harrass?
    How many NXIVM defectors did Raniere sue?

    Have poor interpersonal boundaries.
    In Catherine Oxenberg’s book “Casptive” she describes how Raniere came into a room and French kissed every woman.
    On top of that Raniere had no hesitation to bed underage girls.

    Is Vanguard a Narcissist?
    Yes!

About the Author

Frank Parlato is an investigative journalist.

His work has been cited in hundreds of news outlets, like The New York Times, The Daily Mail, VICE News, CBS News, Fox News, New York Post, New York Daily News, Oxygen, Rolling Stone, People Magazine, The Sun, The Times of London, CBS Inside Edition, among many others in all five continents.

His work to expose and take down NXIVM is featured in books like “Captive” by Catherine Oxenberg, “Scarred” by Sarah Edmonson, “The Program” by Toni Natalie, and “NXIVM. La Secta Que Sedujo al Poder en México” by Juan Alberto Vasquez.

Parlato has been prominently featured on HBO’s docuseries “The Vow” and was the lead investigator and coordinating producer for Investigation Discovery’s “The Lost Women of NXIVM.” Parlato was also credited in the Starz docuseries "Seduced" for saving 'slave' women from being branded and escaping the sex-slave cult known as DOS.

Additionally, Parlato’s coverage of the group OneTaste, starting in 2018, helped spark an FBI investigation, which led to indictments of two of its leaders in 2023.

Parlato appeared on the Nancy Grace Show, Beyond the Headlines with Gretchen Carlson, Dr. Oz, American Greed, Dateline NBC, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, where Parlato conducted the first-ever interview with Keith Raniere after his arrest. This was ironic, as many credit Parlato as one of the primary architects of his arrest and the cratering of the cult he founded.

Parlato is a consulting producer and appears in TNT's The Heiress and the Sex Cult, which premiered on May 22, 2022. Most recently, he consulted and appeared on Tubi's "Branded and Brainwashed: Inside NXIVM," which aired January, 2023.

IMDb — Frank Parlato

Contact Frank with tips or for help.
Phone / Text: (305) 783-7083
Email: frankparlato@gmail.com

Archives