Insights into Narcissism & Narcissistic Personality Disorder
“Half of the people lie with their lips; the other half with their tears” ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Click to access the link to my conversation w/ Dr. Natalie Martinek around Narcissism & More!
ON NARCISSISM & NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER:
A) What is Narcissism?
Narcissism is a self-absorbed described as having an extreme interest in one's actual appearance and an inordinate distraction with one's own necessities, regularly to the detriment of others.
It is the human instinct to be somewhat egotistical & dismissive, so a huge distinction between being a narcissist and being a self-retained individual is that the former has narcissistic traits but doesn’t have a pathology, while in the latter case along with narcissistic traits the individuals maintain a psychological instability or a pathology i.e., narcissistic personality disorder of NPD under Cluster B of Personality Disorders proposed by the Diagnostical Statistical Manual i.e., DSM-V.
There are individuals who are narcissistic but who don't have psychological maladjustments. These individuals are capable of offensiveness since they think they are better than others & have no resentment towards that. They have practically no sympathy towards the sentiments, conditions, circumstances or predicaments of others. These are individuals who feel that they are qualified for the best of their entirety while at the same time peering down on the people who show awe for them. Additionally, they have absolutely no trouble taking advantage of others to get whatever serves their needs the best. Hence, it’s crucial to comprehend that they have no mindfulness or an understanding of what their actions do to their sense of self and its effects on others. Thus, they feel no disgrace or regret.
It is said that, both in the current-day & ancient times, there have been pioneers who were narcissists. Narcissists have a talent for getting into places of force and have absolutely no trouble practising that power. Some of them have been known to epitomize evil on this planet i.e., Joseph Stalin, Genghis Khan, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, amongst others. There are also some narcissists who are quite effective in business since they have companions who assist with directing them i.e., businessmen like Larry Ellison, Bill Doors etc.
B) What are the Five Types of Narcissism?
I would categorize five types of Narcissism based upon several research studies, educational psychiatric resources and videos that I’ve exhausted due to my general interest in this topic. Therefore, the following are the five types of Narcissism:
The Classical Grandiose Narcissist: These narcissists are highly egotistical, arrogant and, also attention & validation seeking individuals. This type of Narcissism is the most common sub-type as they show all the primary signs & traits of the Narcissism Spectrum in general.
The Malignant Narcissist: These types of Narcissists show all the signs of the Classical Grandiose sub-type but also are high on extreme vengefulness and, very prone to indulging in immoral, mischievous and also to certain extent criminality.
The Covert Narcissist: These Narcissists are very confusing to identify given their nature of extreme victimhood which can easily delude others into thinking that they indeed are victims of suffering in different & various case scenarios. However, they also portray a grandiose sense of self, passive-aggressiveness and, are also hypersensitive to criticism. They often are under the impression that it is always the fault of the world and others for their suffering- which is why they portray signs of extreme victimhood.
The Communal Narcissist: These kinds of Narcissists are easily identifiable in our contemporary times because these narcissists seek recognition, appraisal and validation from others. For example, boastfully announcing how much they care about the world or how much charity work they do, etc. And by doing so, they acquire a greater sense of grandiosity.
The Acquired Narcissist: These Narcissists have acquired several traits of the Narcissistic Spectrum due to their difficult, traumatic, and toxic childhood. For example, due to cultural stigmas & stereotypes- oftentimes male children are told to suppress their emotions in order to maintain a strong sense of masculinity i.e., in other terms, the notion of hyper-masculinity. Later in childhood, due to these instilled notions & suppressed and even repressed emotions and memories may lead them to become un-empathic, and therefore, gain traits of Narcissism.
D) What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD is a psychiatric personality disorder wherein individuals have their very own expanded feeling of significance & a profound requirement for adoration. Those with NPD trust that they're better than others & have little to no respect for others' sentiments. In any case, behind this veil of ultra-morale lies delicate confidence which is defenceless when it comes to even the slightest criticism.
Within this Personality Disorder, it almost makes the individuals confused as to what is truly happening with them. An example is when somebody with NPD will appear to be haughty and loaded up with fearlessness. Nonetheless, just underneath this shallow surface lies an individual who feels a profound feeling of disgrace and embarrassment and low confidence. That is the reason they are so handily hurt when faced with any kind of criticism.
These are the individuals who don't operate behaviorally well. They distance their loved ones & feel almost socially secluded as well as discouraged. It is truly challenging for them since they would rather not think anything is wrong with them, their personality or their behaviour in general. Therefore, Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD under Cluster B of Personality Disorders as proposed by the DSM-V are individuals entangled between thinking that they are indeed predominant & also feeling hopeless, all at the same time.
—Sanjana Singh | 19.11.2021