Narcissist, or just a pain? How to deal with difficult peopleNarcissist, or just a pain? How to deal with difficult people
All In The Mind
You know how certain people are just… difficult? Maybe they're prickly to be around, don't take feedback well, or act like a narcissist? Today we're learning how to handle relationships with difficult people; from setting boundaries, to understanding the role of attachment and temperament on behaviour. Plus, is it ever the right time to cut someone off completely? And what's a 'highly sensitive person' (HSP)? Got a question about a difficult person in your life? Send us an email at mind_rn@abc.net.au with the subject line "mailbag episode: difficult people". Guests: Rachel Samson Clinical psychologist Co-author, Beyond Difficult Dr Jessie Stern Developmental psychologist and researcher Co-author, Beyond Difficult Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Micky Grossman You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Extra information: Beyond Difficult, An attachment-based guide to dealing with challenging people
33:29•1 Nov 2025
Dealing with Difficult People: Insights and Strategies
Episode Overview
- Understanding attachment styles can improve handling difficult people.
- Highly sensitive people may be mislabelled as difficult.
- Setting boundaries is crucial for managing challenging relationships.
- Personality disorders are often misunderstood as mere difficult traits.
- Knowing when to cut ties can protect your mental well-being.
“"The more compassionate way of understanding my grandmother is not the label."”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This episode of 'All In The Mind' takes a fascinating look at how we can better understand and manage relationships with difficult people. Hosted by Sana Khadar, this episode features clinical psychologist Rachel Sampson and Dr. Jessie Stern, co-authors of 'Beyond Difficult'. They explore the complex dynamics behind challenging behaviours, focusing on attachment styles and temperament. Ever wondered why some people seem impossible to deal with?
The conversation delves into how early life experiences shape adult behaviours, and the common misconception of labelling difficult individuals as narcissists or having personality disorders. The episode doesn't just stop at identifying the problem—it provides listeners with practical tools for managing these tricky relationships. From setting boundaries to understanding the impact of attachment styles in the workplace, you'll gain insights into how to navigate these interactions more effectively.
The hosts also discuss the concept of highly sensitive people (HSPs) and how they might be perceived as difficult due to their heightened sensitivity. For those struggling with a difficult boss or a prickly family member, this episode offers valuable advice on when it might be time to set boundaries or even cut ties. With humour and empathy, the hosts remind us that understanding the 'why' behind someone's behaviour can be the first step towards a more harmonious relationship.
Tune in to learn how you can apply these insights to your own life and relationships. Could understanding attachment styles change how you deal with difficult people in your life?
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