ON THE SUBJECT OF NARCISSISM. Narcissism is a personality disorder. In Greek Mythology, Narcissus was a young man who loved no one. He was so absorbed in his love for himself that he was made to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He could not embrace his watery image, so he pined away and eventually he was transformed into a flower. The term narcissist is used to refer to people who are completely self -absorbed, self-centred and are concerned only with their own self-interest. It is a disorder of self –esteem. People with little self -esteem create a huge SELF (or EGO), in order to survive, behaving as if they are the most important people in the world. If children are not taught to take the focus off of themselves and to be genuinely caring about others, they grow up to be narcissistic. This is a pathological condition characterized by self-centredness, self-interest, grandiosity, lack of empathy and manipulativeness. (Empathy is the ability to recognize and experience how others feel. Sympathy is pity, not good!! People feed on pity and may do nothing to change their situation if given pity.) Sufferers of the narcissistic disorder usually do not realise that the way they think, feel or behave distorts their lives. Such people would usually; -React to criticism with feelings of rage, shame or humiliation. -Are personally exploitative, taking advantage of others to achieve their ends. -Have a grandiose sense of self-importance and expect to be noticed as ‘special’. -Believe that their problems are unique and can only be understood by other special people. -Are pre-occupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. -Have a sense of entitlement ( Expect to be treated favourably). -Require constant attention or admiration and usually give non to others. -Lack empathy . (Wouldn’t understand perhaps why a sick friend would cancel a date with them.) -Are preoccupied with feelings of envy. These people often self-destruct because their grandiosity and self-preoccupation blind their judgement and perspective. They are usually very successful socially, being smooth-talking and charming, but fail dismally in personal relationships. They form few genuine emotional commitments and would often treat their partners as objects to be used to bolster their self – esteem. Because they are usually consumed with feelings of rage and envy and disdain for others, they grow depressed and find little satisfaction or contentment from their work or the people in their lives We are capable of changing ourselves and if we find traits in us that we do not like, we can work at changing how we see and do things. Genuinely being interested in and caring about others would usually combat this disorder.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 08:01:53 +0000
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