Narcissism
70Narcissism is an attitude of intense self-love, self-idealisation and an artificially inflated sense of one's own value, significance, importance and self-esteem, which calls for others to defer to, and recognize these highly valued attributes as an actual reality. Anything or anyone who questions or jeopardizes this view is likely to provoke a reaction of superior indignation followed by an attempt to discredit any other view.
The sexual instinct is directed towards one's own body or psychological attributes. By corollary, the narcissist is indifferent to other persons, unless by attracting their favorable attention his self-admiration is proportionately enhanced.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder affects approximately 1% of the population. According to Jeremy Hoffman BSc, Adiele Hughs BSc, Andrew Allard BA and Sarah Greenough BSc, numerous attributes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder are displayed in the character of Captain Jack Sparrow and they analyse it in this very interesting 4 page report.
The psychoanalyst believes that a narcissistic individual is incapable of bestowing love upon anyone other than himself. Sometimes this extreme self-valuation of the person is made in defense against a sense of inadequacy and belittlement.
Psychoanalysts differentiate between primary and secondary narcissism. Developmentally, it is regarded as normal for the infant and young child to place this kind of value on himself; in moderation it is an aspect of normal pride in the self and its capacities and achievements.
Secondary narcissism Freud defined as that which occurs when love-objects are taken away or when the libido is redirected from the external objects or persons toward which it has been flowing.
Narcissism becomes a problem when it interferes with a person's capacity to acknowledge others and their skills and attributes, obstructing the development of a mutual relationship which can acknowledge the prime qualities in the other person.
The relationship with a narcissistic personality is likely to be a very one-sided affair, catering for the narcissistic needs of one person and obliterating any mutuality in the relationship.
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very interesting Well Done!
Scott, I think you're right!
Very informative, darkside-thanks.
Very interesting - I would have thought that it affects a much larger percentage of the population but I suppose there are other personality disorders that present themselves in a similar way.
Thanks for sharing!
I have worked with a couple of adolescent narcissists. Literally the world revolved around them. Or be damned. Sweet as pie when they were the focus.
I physically fought (also part of my job) with one on a few occassions.
Scotts perection of how many we have on HP is a little scary! Maybe they need a virtual pool to stare into, in order that they'll take root and flower. That should rid trolls from the halls :)
It seems like artists of all types tend to be sort of, well, 'out-there'. I'm no analyst, but if it weren't for their gifts, they wouldn't be able to relate to anyone on any level at all... a la Hemmingway, Van Gogh, Michael Jackson. I guess we'll have to put up with the one to enjoy the fruits of the other... even in Hubville. I liked this article. I bet there are a few reading it that are asking themselves... 'Am I?'...
Darkside, very good Hub. I'm not sure the percentage in America of one percent is accurate, because it seems to be a much bigger general population problem. I think television has added to that problem, pulling inward instead of being among people and helping others get along. Altruistic service is sometimes lacking from these types. Good Hub,
It would be interesting to list the names of some well known politicians with this disorder. Good Hub!
Interesting - thank you!
I especially love the link to the Captain Jack report, and not only because it includes the mythology associated with the word narcissism. ;) (For those who don't know, I really love mythology!)
That psych report on Jack Sparrow was a hoot! Interestingly some notorious killers are/were narcissistic.
BTW Laura, many psych reports wiil identify a primary diagnosis, but citation of multiple additional traits is common. Example: Borderline personality disorder with narcissistic and hystrionic traits.
I pretty sure I knew I guy with this problem in high school!! LOL! Interesting topic and a well written hub.
well done, DS. I used to be in love with a man who truly had this disorder, not just into himself as some think it is. I didn't find out until later and I was amazed at what I found out about his lifestyle. It truly is a sickness, and not just a person who thinks only of himself (many of them, but it's not the same as true narcissism.) :)
Good hub! Nice job.
I think we all are guilty at some point in life with this matter. And its sooo true with Captain Jack Sparrow!
Hahaha, that picture of captain Jack sure does remind me of somebody's avatar.
I wonder where your inspiration for this hub came from. :D
Mr Voodoo, while researching this subject I came across the case study on Jack Sparrow. Interesting reading! The photo of Johnny Depp is the same one from that report. Any resemblance to other people real or imagined is purely coincidental.
Good hub darkside. I think I know more than my share of these characters and been married to at least two. One an artist and the other a musician, oh my but wasn't it always all about them... LOL. But seriously, this is really good info. Thanks.
Well, if you have to possess all the above traits to qualify for narcissism, then indeed no more than 1% of the population can be called narcissists. But if we could exclude just some of the required behaviors then this might tend towards a higher number, I think. Maybe even I could stand a chance to qualify.
Very well written. I love it!
I think this characterist is an extreme example of what is already within us all. It is about survival - the id (I want, satisfy me, base instinctual desires) and on the scale (say 0 - 10 and 5 being 'norm' or average) the extreme narcissist rates 10. The quality of this characteristic has gone over the top. It is necessary, however, that this gene needs to be in the human gene pool for humans survival. This is probably why the characterist has not been irradicated in the course of evolution. Unfortunately, personality extremes like this can be problematic - it is one of those 'evils' that is necessary for human beings to function effectively. Does this make sense?
I doubt a psychological characteristic or psychiatric problem can be attributed to evolutionary development. One would hope that autism would have been eradicated by the course of evolution.
Ummm... some genes go a bit crazy... rogue genes, genetic mutations. They seem to stay in the gene pool or reappear a few generations down the line. Our genetic make up is our personal receipe, so to speak. I think that these receipes can conflict with other ingredients and have an affect in individuals behaviour .. dont want to go down the nurture/nature debate (far to vast to write here), but environmental conditions add to the make up of the individual. However, primarily and basically, I think that we all have the narcissist trait, to a lesser or greater extent. As you said in this hub... 'Psychoanalysts differentiate between primary and secondary narcissism. Developmentally, it is regarded as normal for the infant and young child to place this kind of value on himself; in moderation it is an aspect of normal pride in the self and its capacities and achievements'. Therefore, this is a trait which necessitates human survival. This trait doesn't simply disappear, it just gets dealt with in the subconscious and runs (similarily msdos runs on a computer like the subconsious runs in a human - its there, doing its work, but no one notices).
As regards to 'autism', you should read my hub on http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Jewish-Social-Ostracis - you might see what I mean.
I hope you get what I mean. With a subject like this, one needs to do a proper thesus as it harbers much psychological debate.
I wish you well
Shaz x
Interesting Hub Darkside.
I feel you've focused more on Type II Narcissism (Narcissistic Disorder) while neglecting Type I Narcissism (Narcissistic Syndrome) altogether. Type II is found in approximately 1% of the US population, but Type I is considerably more prevalent. Judges, policemen, lawyers, doctors, pilots, politicians, sales people, models psychiatrists, therapists, business executives, and artists of all sorts (including writers) are often Type I Narcissists (though these fields also tend to attract more Type II personalities, as well), otherwise, they could not do what they do for a living or would not be successful in their field.
Like many "ailments" of the mind, the Syndrome tends to be something the person develops as a controllable survival trait, while the the Disorder represents a break from reality. For instance, we'll look at likely behaviors from each group regarding rejection from the opposite sex:
Two men (one Type I, the other Type II) go out on a date with a woman. Each man thinks the date went well (they are Narcissists, after all) and after a make-out session in the driveway, each expects to culminate the night with a furtherance of "similar activity," shall we say. The woman in question, however, decides not to pursue this, at this time.
The Type I would likely deal with rejection internally. If led to believe that she likes him. he may decide that she "must not be feeling well" or has to get up early, etc. If he thinks she does not like him, he may assume she is stupid or perhaps even that she is a lesbian. Regardless the rebuke cannot be because she doesn't actually like the narcissist, but rather that some outside circumstance (including acts of nature) prevents her from seeing how wonderful the narcissist is. Perhaps it was the meal (and in his mind, he will blame the waitstaff), perhaps it was the movie (in which case he may blame the cast, crew, the kid serving popcorn, the noisy guy in the back, etc). Regardless, even at extreme behavior levels, the worst a Type I will likely do is resort to verbal attacks, whether direct or indirect. The parable or "Sour Grapes" will eventually assuage his ego, if nothing else. If he does not get the type of attention he wants from her, he will assume she is not right for him, and move on. In his mind, he will reject her.
A Type II is more likely to become angry and externalize this, even to the point of violence. While thought processes similar to those above may be present, the will likely be more extreme, as will his behaviors. He may call her names (slut, whore, dyke, etc). May damage property; slashing tires, breaking windows, etc. A Type II may even assume "no means yes" and rape her.
The Type I feels that, "no one is better than me," while the Type II feels that they really are *better* than everyone else. It is *not* a subtle difference.
Thanks for the excellent explanation there Jim. I had to devour that with the help of a knife and fork it was so meaty!
I think your type II description is right on. I have researched this disorder quite a bit. My brother married a vampire-and my brother is the blood that she needs to survive. My brother was a great guy and very into his immediate family, sister(me) mother, father and grandparents. We were not the Waltons but we were pretty distant with each other. Ever since he got married we do not exist. It is her way or the highway. I wonder what insecure boy marries this kind of monster. They do everything together. It is sad really. It is like my brother is gone.
Sorry to hear that Kori Lee. I've seen what you've described in action, though not in immediate family. It's not something I'd wish on anyone.
Thanks darkside, I do tend to be a bit...um...thorough at times. I'd like to address Lori's comment, I hope you don't mind.
Lori, I was once a boy who married a woman like that. I lived through the angry (sometimes violent) outbursts, the forced seclusion from others, separation from family, etc. This forced separation is vital to this type of dysfunctional relationship so that the other person is forced to rely on the Narcissist for just about everything. It's not so much trying to please the other person, but appease them (and as the relationship progresses, this may become a regular occurrence). If this is the case with your brother, then he will have to come to this conclusion on his own. Anything you say against her will be used by her to reinforce the statements leading to the separation. It's about control, and any threat to that control will be seen as an attack. In my own circumstance, it was a sad and stressful period of my life.
That being said, it's not something that is unrecoverable. I hope your brother isn't caught in this type of destructive circumstance, but if so, he's an adult and will have to deal with it.
Jim, your input (and thoroughness) here is most appreciated!
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the support- and thank you to dark side for a great hub where we can express our opinions and woes. I know that my brother's journey is his own now.
Scott.Life says:
6 weeks ago
It may only affect 1% of the population but on Hubpages I'd think it's more like 60%. Very concise and direct article.