I just had a major insight.
Background: Many of the comments on this website note that Hyde has some classic cult features. The article by James Traub about Hyde in the Hoover Institution publication reinforces what many of us have observed during our time at Hyde. In addition, a couple of people on this website have observed that Joe Gauld has some of the classic features of a cult leader, including narcissism. (Recently at a Hyde weekend I saw Joe Gauld "hold court" with Hyde parents and do that routine where he goes around the room and "diagnoses" parents and their circumstances, parenting instincts, etc. I witnessed a horrible incident where Gauld confronted one particular parent, demeaned the parent horribly, and eventually "ordered" the parent to leave. I couldn't believe Gauld's gall and audacity. That incident convinced me, more than ever, that Hyde is a very dangerous environment.)
Well, I just came across a document, unexpectedly, that REALLY helps me understand what Joe Gauld is all about. It's the formal definition of narcissism used by the American Psychiatric Association in its diagnositic manual. When I read this the lightbulb went on! For those of you who know Joe Gauld and have watched him in action, observed how he treats Hyde parents and students, how he patronizes and demeans others and draws attention to himself, how he explodes on occasion and arrogantly assumes that he has the answers . . . keep all of this in mind as you read the American Psychiatric Association's definition of narcissistic personality disorder. I can't believe the overlap between Joe Gauld's profile and this definition. Here it is (quoted word for word):
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Diagnostic Criteria
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
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 associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4. requires excessive admiration
5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7. lacks empathy: is unwilling 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 behaviors or attitudes
It has taken my family and me some time to really understand Hyde and its all-too-often destructive influence. This APA summary has helped me get a handle on what's going on at Hyde. This makes me more determined than ever to let parents who are considering Hyde know what they'd encounter if they enroll.
