Scots TV Presenter Isla Traquair Confronts Personal Trauma in Narcissism Documentary
Scottish television presenter Isla Traquair, known for her decades-long career reporting on serious crimes and confronting dangerous individuals, has revealed that her latest documentary project will see her exploring deeply personal territory. The 46-year-old journalist, who has interviewed killers and comforted victims throughout her thirty-year career, will examine the trauma inflicted by narcissists in Narcissist's Playbook, Empathy Not Included.
A Journey Into Dark Places
Traquair has described this investigation as one of the longest and most challenging of her professional life, taking her into what she calls "dark places" as she reflects on her own past pains. In a poignant social media post, she wrote: "Some stories are harder to tell because they are not simple. Truths have been buried for a long time due to shame and blame. Too frightened and too ashamed to speak up."
The documentary promises to expose what promotional materials describe as "the hidden tactics of psychological abuse" employed by narcissists. This will be achieved through expert psychological insight, survivor testimony, and what are termed "the shocking confessions" of individuals who acknowledge possessing these personality traits.
High-Profile Contributors and Tense Encounters
Among those featured in the documentary is American actress Evan Rachel Wood, who famously accused musician Marilyn Manson of abuse during their three-year relationship in the late 2000s. In a trailer for the film, Wood states: "It's the psychological abuse that, to this day, is so hard to undo."
The promotional material also captures tense moments, including one scene where Traquair appears to brace herself while tracking down an unidentified man. She alerts her crew: "He's over there. He's behind us. Yeah, he's over there, that's him." Another segment shows her asking an interviewee: "How dangerous do you think this man is?" and later questioning an alleged perpetrator: "Do you feel bad for what you've done to these women?"
Experienced Investigative Background
Traquair brings considerable investigative experience to this sensitive subject. Early in her career working in her native Aberdeen, she confronted biologist Dr. Christopher 'Kit' Harrisson before his conviction for murdering his wife, Dr. Brenda Page, in 1978. Like the survivors featured in her new documentary, Traquair has also experienced victimization personally.
The former ITV and Channel 5 news anchor endured what she described as a "frightening" stalking ordeal by gardener Jonathan Barrett, who was found guilty at Salisbury Magistrates Court in July 2022. Recalling the experience, Traquair told the Daily Mail: "I was a shell of myself. I lost weight. My hair started to fall out. This man's behaviour affected every single aspect of my life."
Comprehensive Investigation and Timely Release
Traquair worked under secrecy for two years on this project with filmmakers including American cinematographer Mark Vicente, known for his role as a whistle-blower who helped expose a sadistic cult leader. She describes the documentary as "the most comprehensive investigation into narcissistic personality disorder" and believes its release is particularly timely given current world events.
Discussing the content, Traquair acknowledges that viewers will hear "some really horrific tales" but also emphasizes stories of survival and recovery. The documentary aims to reveal "how manipulation infiltrates our most intimate relationships, workplaces, and global power structures."
Responding to online praise for tackling this difficult subject, with one commenter calling narcissistic personality disorder "one of the most harmful diseases of our time," Traquair agreed, adding: "And so many people don't understand what's happened to them."
