Any counsellors/psychologists etc who have any thoughts on this idea?

[RosiePeach33]

I have a background of child neglect/abuse. My mother had NPD but the vindictive kind. She tried to ruin my life before she died.

At 14 to escape I ran into the arms of a very violent older man. I've had lots of counseling in the past etc. Diagnosed with PTSD.

Its left me with a fear of certain people. As in, I don't put myself out there too much incase I get in the view of a someone with NPD/sociopathy. Even at work (I'm a nurse) I don't put myself out of there as I don't want to make myself visible, anything in life. I've been listening to lots of podcasts about fear and mindset etc.

I realise I basically have a fear of personality disorders. So Ive been wondering if the best thing to do is to literally face my fear. Like desensitizing. Find a volunteering job in that area, or even retrain as I always actually wanted to be a psychologist. (I appreciate very few NPD are going to be seeking help) or go and work with criminals.

Do you see what I mean? Treat it like a phobia? Is that a thing? Thanks.

Not really a good idea tbh. Get counselling to support your growth but stay away from actively seeking out people with NPD

It’s normal to have a “fear” of personality disorders. I would not think you would be particularly suited to a role as a psychologist if your main reason for training is to get “exposure”.

The road to clinical psychology is also very difficult.

I can see where your logic is coming from, but it's not a good idea. You haven't dealt with your past yet and until you have therapy for that, you will likely suffer more. Some CBT would be beneficial to help change your mindset and get an understanding if your past trauma. You don't have a phobia, you have real life experiences which affect you deeply.

No. That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard, or close to it. People with personality disorders aren’t there to provide you with exposure therapy.

No, that is an absolute shocking idea. You know you need to protect yourself, both your mind and your body know that, so why would you put yourself at any risk?

What you need to remember is you cannot control other people’s behaviour and their actions. All you can do is decide how you react to them and to remove them from your life.

You have the power to decide who gets to spend your precious time with you and you need to remember that.

Dont avoid everyone because you’re scared of the “bad ones” because that means you’re missing out on having so many other amazing people in your life.

You are not a child anymore and you have the choice to decide who gets to be in your life and how people get to treat you. You can set your own boundaries.

I'm a psychotherapist. I wouldn't recommend this approach. Better to work on mindfulness and noticing your gut reactions to other people, and learning to assess your responses to people so you can decide who to trust. Running towards people with the traits that trigger you sounds more like part of the trauma response than a solution.
Just my view based on the little you have said, and others may see it differently.

No. It's an awful idea. Awful for you and your wellbeing and awful for the people with mental health difficulties that you'd encounter.

Get professional therapy

You'll fit in perfectly with all of the other mental health professionals who treat other people, rather than getting good, personal therapy. Psychology is absolutely the career for you.

In case sarcasm wasn't obvious, you need good quality, personal therapy. It needs to be relational in nature and preferably with an older female who intimidates you.
https://www.bpc.org.uk/information-support/find-a-therapist-or-clinic/

I think your wariness is protective and understandable.

Get some good therapy and talk this all through.

Your experiences sound very impactful, take good care of yourself.

This was very sarcastic but I understand where you're coming from!