One of the most important symptoms of pathological narcissism (the Narcissistic Personality Disorder) is grandiosity. Grandiose fantasies (megalomaniac delusions of grandeur) permeate every aspect of the narcissist’s personality. They are the reason that the narcissist feels entitled to special treatment which is typically incommensurate with his real accomplishments. The Grandiosity Gap is the abyss between the narcissist’s self-image (as reified…
Tag: Narcissists
The Narcissist As Eternal Child
“Puer Aeternus” – the eternal adolescent, the semipternal Peter pan – is a phenomenon often associated with pathological narcissism. People who refuse to grow up strike others as self-centred and aloof, petulant and brattish, haughty and demanding – in short: as childish or infantile. The narcissist is a partial adult. He seeks to avoid adulthood. Infantilisation – the discrepancy between…
Reconditioning The Narcissist
Question: You seem to be very sceptical that someone with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be treated successfully. Answer: The Narcissistic Personality Disorder has been recognised as a distinct mental health diagnosis a little more than two decades ago. There are few who can honestly claim expertise or even in-depth understanding of this complex condition. No one knows whether therapy…
Back To La La Land
Relationships with narcissists peter out slowly and tortuously. Narcissists do not provide closure. They stalk. They cajole, beg, promise, persuade, and, ultimately, succeed in doing the impossible yet again: sweep you off your feet, though you know better than to succumb to their spurious and superficial charms. So, you go back to your “relationship” and hope for a better ending.…
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Prevalence And Comorbidity
What is the Difference between Healthy Narcissism and the Pathological Kind? In my book “Malignant Self Love – Narcissism Revisited”, I define pathological narcissism as: “(A) life-long pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one’s self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one’s gratification, dominance and ambition.” Luckily for…
Misdiagnosing Narcissism Asperger S Disorder
(The use of gender pronouns in this article reflects the clinical facts: most narcissists and most Asperger’s patients are male.) Asperger’s Disorder is often misdiagnosed as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), though evident as early as age 3 (while pathological narcissism cannot be safely diagnosed prior to early adolescence). In both cases, the patient is self-centered and engrossed in a narrow…