Photo from bravotv.comWe've called them crazy and thrown around terms like "disturbed" and "scary" to describe their behavior, but what's really going on with The Real Housewives of New York?
I caught up with Elizabeth West, trained behaviorist and author of blog A Real Housewife's View, who analyzes their often bizarre behavior. So, just in time for tonight's reunion show, here's what she had to say about the New York ladies and their real-life personality disorders. See if you agree:
Kelly Bensimon, Paranoid Personality Disorder -- I really think she has paranoid personality disorder. She's very concerned about hidden motives and that she's going to be exploited. She isolates herself socially. Even though she's pretty outgoing, she has no real connection with anyone and gets irrationally hostile.
I don't think it's a good idea for her to be on the show at all. I think you can tell from when she started the show until now that there's been a definite downward slide for her. She needs to get back to the real reality.
Jill Zarin, Narcissist -- She is so obviously a classic narcissist. She truly believes she's special and doesn't do anything wrong. And she doesn't let go of her delusion. Ever. She's never going to think yes, I did something wrong.
I think the show is great for her. The kind of public backlash she's getting could be very helpful for her to realize she has a problem.
LuAnn De Lesseps, Narcissist -- LuAnn is also a narcissist, but a different kind. She knows she's not perfect, but she defends her Countess persona and clings to it like a security blanket.
Bethenny Frankel -- Bethenny has a lot of issues from her childhood, but her coping method is a lot better than the other housewives. She's trying to make improvements. Like all of us, she has issues, but she's making it work for herself.
I really hope she doesn't make up with Jill. There's nothing to be gained from being friends with a narcissist. It's best to just let narcissists be.
Alex McCord -- Alex seems relatively sane. She may be a little passive aggressive, though not so passive this season.
Sonja Morgan, Histrionic Personality Disorder -- Sonja may have a little histrionic disorder. She has a lot of sex and obvious issues with alcohol. But she also seems to have a good head on her shoulders.
Ramona Singer -- I adore Ramona. The first season she drove me nuts, but either she's on some kind of meds or she actually has had some sort of psychological or spiritual awakening. She's so happy and is really trying to be friends with everyone. She has moments of such clarity. I've been really enjoying her this season.
So, does everyone have a personality disorder?
Not everyone has a personality disorder, but I do think Bravo is looking for people that are distinctively flawed then putting them in situations where their interactions are going to be dramatic and explosive. I don't know if it's entirely safe, and I think this season of New York and New Jersey should teach them something.
Speaking of dangerous, what about Danielle Staub from The Real Housewives of New Jersey? What's going on with her?
Danielle is the one I'd definitely fear most. She's an antisocial personality. When confronted, she's very blasé about her behavior and will turn it around. She has an excuse for every behavior and uses her tragic past to get others to feel sorry for her. She has absolutely no empathy, is engaged in stalking behavior, and has shown signs of aggressiveness. If I were on the show, I'd be very concerned about her.
What do you think of the above diagnoses for The Real Housewives of New York? Will you watch the reunion show tonight?
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Comments 11
Wow, I'm thanking my lucky stars I don't know any of these wackadoos.
I love the show, what does that say about my personality?
Love this article! RIGHT ON! :) I agree with it 100% (except the part about adoring Ramona, although I will say she's growing on me).
II hope Bravo doesn't let things go too far with Danielle...it's clear to see she (or someone in her entourage) could absolutely become violent in the very near future. Ugh.
While I agree with some of the personality diagnoses of the writer, I do not agree that those diagnoses define who these women are. Clearly anyone watching the show with some discrimination will tell you that certain of the women are "more insane" than the others. With more than 20 years Experience in mental health care, I'd love to tell you my opinions: Jill: healthier than most; LuAnn, also healthier than most; Bethenny: VERY much healthier than most.
Then we get to the other women: Alex: a scarecrow who is passive-aggressive and married to someone who controls her: eeuugh!;
Kelly: not only is she unintelligent, but she's insane. All of the Real Housewives would do well to distance themselves.
Sonja: Looks like a young Meryl Streep, and struggles to not get caught up in the rivalries. All I can say is: SONJA, YOU GO, GIRL! YOU HAVE CLASS, DISCRETION, KINDNESS, COMPASSION AND DISCRIMINATION. You don't allow yourself to be led by the overriding opinion. I have total respect for you and how you've risen above all the drama of the past season to emerge as a friend of all -- not that you didn't call people out when they needed it, which was totally refreshing!!!! LONG LIVE SONJA!!!
I watched it..all 3 parts and extras on the lost footage...I think the above article is onto something....but ya think maybe the people/producers who picked them for the show picked them for those traits listed above...good TV...LOL
Elizabeth West is not a "trained behaviorist". She is someone with a bachelor's in psychology who has never actually worked in a clinical setting and is doing a disservice to the mental health profession by doing these analyses. These are real people with real problems, but they are in the context of filming for a reality TV show that wants to incite drama and a plot. To label them with major Axis I or Axis II disorders is unprofessional and irresponsible. It is insulting not only to these women but to the patients out there who truly suffer from these disorders. Furthermore, Ms. West is not even qualified to render such opinions. Being "half way through a Master's" (though "not a current student" as she admits) doesn't allow people to independently diagnose anyone. I seriously question her motives for keeping up this blog after many mental health professionals have asked her to reconsider the ethics of her own behavior. Comments that disagree with her analyses or with her lack of professionalism are now being deleted or not posted at all. As a licensed psychiatrist in the state of Ohio with credentials to back it up, I strongly encourage people to take her blog with not a grain of salt, but a whole truckload.
I agreed with all of the descriptions of the New York housewives. Especially Bravo needs to pay heed to what was said about Danielle Staub. She needs to be removed from the show. She is dangerous and threatening to the other women. Her past behaviour, and phony acting as victim, trying to make the Manzos and Lauritas the bad guys had to be brought to a stop. BRAVO PLEASE TAKE HEED AND GET RID OF THE WITCH NOW!! This year hasn't been pleasant seen her ugly face every week with her finger pointing and blaming when it all comes back to her when research is done. She let her buddy call Christopher a faggot (sorry my sweet gays), and said on the LIVE show she went out of her way to shake Christopher's hand to show there were no hard feelings, but what she left out was that she also commented on the scene that she shook his hand as an FU, NOW I'M IN YOUR HOUSE, her shaking his hand she was trying to make an insult to the Manzos. It was the polite thing she was saying on the LIVE show with Andy that she said it was. She's so good at saying half truths or flat out lies. And did we notice Jacqueline yelling at her that she'd read her court transcripts and Danielle had pistol whipped someone with a 9mm gun? Are we going to let Kelly keep spiraling out of control until she gets almost this bad? WHEN IS BRAVO GOING TO DRAW THE LINE ON THESE CHARACTERS? We enjoy good television and love everyone except Danielle and Kelly, but Bravo, give us a break!
Nice article. People with paranoid personality disorder have long-term, widespread and unwarranted suspicions that other people are hostile, threatening or demeaning. In other words, this disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that denotes a personality disorder with paranoid features.
Personality disorder is a type of psychological disorder. There are many negative effects of personality disorder. It affects badly to a person's life, family and social life. People with personality disorder have conflicts with many other people. There are many types of personality disorders like Paranoid personality disorder, Schizoid personality disorder, Dissocial personality disorder etc. People with this disorder have negative attitude, instability in relationships, loves breaking rules and regulations, mistrust for others etc.