Tom Sandoval is boldly confronting the accusations of narcissism by voluntarily undergoing a test administered by Dr. Drew Pinsky.
In the latest episode of his podcast "Everybody Loves Tom" on Thursday, October 26th, Sandoval, who is 41 years old, engaged in a candid conversation with Pinsky, who is 65 years old, covering a wide range of personal topics including his parents' divorce and his ongoing struggles with sexual insecurities. During the interview, Pinsky also administered a test to assess whether Sandoval possesses narcissistic traits, given his status as a reality TV personality.
You have completed the narcissism test and your results indicate that you do not have measurable narcissistic traits. This test is not meant to diagnose a narcissistic disorder, but rather to highlight certain personality traits. According to Pinsky, your score was very low.
Pinsky expressed surprise at Sandoval's results, noting that the only trait you scored slightly higher on was vanity. This is a reasonable measurement given your interest in appearance, and it is neither good nor bad, but simply a trait.
Pinsky stated that most test scores hover around 15 or 16. He pointed out to Sandoval, "Your score is a 7, making you one of the lowest I've encountered, which is quite intriguing." Surprisingly, Sandoval expressed his lack of anticipation regarding being categorized as a narcissist.
"The content fragment needs to be rewritten in a better way. The revised version is as follows:
Having interacted with individuals exhibiting narcissistic traits, as they are also part of our show, I am familiar with the experience. I am confident that I do not possess those qualities," said the Bravo star during a podcast conversation with co-star Tom Schwartz, referring to their fellow cast members.
Following their honest discussion, Pinsky noted Sandoval's tendency towards being "codependent"."
"I believe that you lean more towards codependency rather than narcissism. Codependency is not a diagnosis, but rather a psychological construct," he clarified. "It describes a situation in which asserting oneself is difficult, boundaries are challenging to establish, and the urge to alleviate others' pain is strong."
Pinsky went on to explain, "You feel compelled to alleviate others' pain because you consider yourself an empathetic person. However, it's crucial to recognize that this drive stems from your own unresolved pain that needs to be addressed separately. It is important to differentiate between your own pain and the pain experienced by others."
Since his affair with Raquel Leviss resulted in the demise of his nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix in March, Sandoval has been reflecting on his actions.
The public backlash during that time caught the Schwartz & Sandy's cofounder by surprise. "I've never encountered anything like this in my life," he revealed on an episode of the "Howie Mandel Does Stuff" podcast in April. "It's astonishing how much attention this story has received."
Afterwards, instead of continuing their relationship, Sandoval and Leviss, both 29, chose to go their separate ways. In light of his personal life falling apart, Sandoval has embraced a different approach to dating.
"When it comes to dating, I've had to be extremely upfront with people," Sandoval explained on Thursday. "I am currently in the dating scene, but I make sure to inform others that I can be very honest, open, and affectionate. While I enjoy forming connections and being friends, I also caution them against becoming too emotionally attached too quickly. I need to take my time and avoid entering another serious relationship."
Schwartz, aged 41, later joined the episode and openly expressed his own experiences of feeling "lightly" codependent.
"I might attribute it to the Minnesota nice stereotype, but there are times when I may have a slightly negative impact on how I affect others," he shared with Pinsky. "I don't mean to boast, but I genuinely prioritize people's emotions and anticipate their reactions to my words. Unfortunately, this may not always align with what is expected in reality TV."
The Winter House star praised Sandoval's commitment to mental health advocacy. She acknowledged that she also values her own mental well-being and finds solace in activities like snowboarding, spending time with her dogs, and occasionally enjoying a beer. Additionally, she mentioned that vacationing, traveling, and immersing herself in new cultures and cuisines help maintain her overall happiness and contentment.