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Narcissism

Narcissism refers to a mental disorder which involves excessive admiration and love with one's self. It is also characterized by a need for admiration and attention from others as well as an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

2,116 Questions

Why do narcissistic parents physically and emotionally abuse their children?

They always emotionally abuse them, because narcissists lack empathy. Some physically abuse. It depends on the specific case.

Is it possible to reunite with a narcissist?

Only if you want to be used, abused, lied to and emotionally harmed more.

Answer Yes, it is possible to reunite with a narcissist. Aside from teens, on-off relationships are generally between those with NPD and those with BPD, because they're generally both afraid of both engulfment and abandonment.

How does a father of a narcissist not enable?

If your child is a boy and you are the father theres a good chance he got his narcissism from you unless there was some other arrangment. Dont use psychology on your son, just try to accept him for who he is.

How do you teach a narcissist respect?

You don't! That's simply not possible for someone with a personality disorder that's incurable.

YOU GET AWAY FROM THEM ASAP!

Is a narcissist a sociopath?

Research believes yes and they are still looking for it.

Your partner is a narcissist you want him to leave your home but he has nowhere to live and no money what should you do?

That is not your problem.

Narcissists usually land on their feet. Boot him out and stop allowing him to manipulate you by making you feel sorry for him.

Why do narcissists retreat?

OMG, yes. I think being evasive means their survival many times. Especially if they are on the verge of being caught in one of their many, many, many lies. If they can't lie their way out of something they are going to be as evasive as possible to avoid getting caught and having to answer to something directly.

How do you live with narcissism and bipolar?

By choice, it is healther and would behoove a person not to deal with the eratic mood swings of a narcissist, however, if you are forced to associate with an N, you must work very hard at maintaining your own self-esteem. Talk to yourself and tell yourself that his/her opinion should not weigh heavily on your scale for approval. Be vehement about the fact that you do not care if you meet his/her idealized standard; you know, the one that you work your tail off to aspire to be? The imaginary partner that doesn't exist?

Since one obviously bought into the N's contortive web, self-esteem is an issue and should be nurtured and preserved at all costs. The first thing to remember is that they are the ones with a problem; not you. If they want to be on a "high," well that makes interacting with an N very low maintenance and doable. But, if you catch them on a day that they are pouting, because they are not the center of attention, or because you did something so miniscule for which they will throw punishment darts, then continue to have a jolly old time in their presence. Again, they are the ones with the problem, not you.

I believe in "arrival." No one goes from zero to 10 overnight. One goes from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and so on. Relationships with N's are evolving and, thus, it will take an evolving and an "arrival" to make that decision to leave them. It's hard during the phase when in your mind and heart you believe to be in love with them. As time passes, you will wake one day and be extremely repulsed by the person you chose to sleep beside. You will come to your senses and then it will be easy to leave them.

If you are not married, it is in your best interest to leave your N now. You may think and feel that you will die without them, but you will be so surprised to be pleasantly relieved by the fact that you will be so much better off without them. There will be no one for which you are forced to contort; you no longer have to compromise your entire belief system; you no longer have to explain your every little move and detail to accommodate their insecurities and paranoia. You will not miss the durress associated with the anchor to the Titanic on your heart because of the pain that is constantly inflicted ... and for which you find yourself apologizing for.

God did not plan for us to be treated this way. After all the complicated scenarios one could share in their experiences with an N, in the most simplest form, love is kind and it's a place that allows the essence of your person to breathe and be appreciated for your unique self.

Can you change a narcassist?

A narcissist would not want help because he or she would not think there was anything wrong. Therefore, you can't help a narcissist; even when a narcissist is court ordered into therapy, there is little a professional can do to help a person change this personality type.

Is there a connection between narcissism and bisexuality?

No, most aren't. However, there have been studies that showed that there is a higher rate of bisexuality and homosexuality in narcissists than the average. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that bisexuals/homosexuals are more likely to be narcissists. One theory uses this logic:

1. A narcissist believes that he or she can do no wrong.

2. It is theorized that many people who have homosexual tendencies repress them because they think of them as wrong.

3. If people did not think that homosexuality was wrong, then those people would probably be homosexuals.

4. A narcissist will be accepting of whatever she or he is.

5. A narcissist will accept his or her own homosexuality, or for that matter anything about her- or himself.

6. This leads to the conclusion that a higher proportion of the narcissists who have bisexual or homosexual tendencies(which is the same percent of narcissists as it is of any group of people) will accept who they are and be bisexual or homosexual. It still won't be most, though.

Sentence for narcissism?

Kelly's narcissism prevented her from forming genuine friendships with other people. Another phrase for narcissism is self-absorption. It is a noun.

What will happen when a narcissist loses his cherished possessions through debt recovery?

That depends on if he or she has someone else to leech off of. If he or she has truly hit rock bottom, it may be just what is needed for them to get help and end their narcissistic ways. But as far as I'm concerned, only a miracle would do that. ~ T

Why do narcissist end up hating you?

I suspect my son may be narcissistic so I have been doing quite a bit a research about the subject, and I have learned several things:

First, save rapists and convicted murders, I have never seen a group of people so universally despised and maligned, without any regard to their feelings whatsoever. Yes, I know, they have no feelings, right? Um, guess again. One of the defining characteristics of a narcissist is that they are extremely sensitive to criticism!

On one website, someone actually said the only way to cure a narcissist is for him/her to die. On this very website someone said: "They are freaks of nature." Can you imagine saying that about any other group of people? Go online and read some of the things that are said about narcissists. Then insert the name of your favorite minority group. How does it sound now? No matter how much you may hate your narcissist of choice, you are talking about PEOPLE here. Let's have a little respect.

Second, I have come across many people who have admitted to being narcissistic, who have actually been trying to get help. After looking on the internet, I'm surprised they even bother. The leading "expert" in the field--who is an admitted narcissist himself--dominates nearly every discussion, admits that he doesn't try to change, and doesn't believe it to be possible.

Well, he is only one man. There are degrees of narcissism and each case is different. The brain is malleable organ; humans are adaptable (dare I say evolutionary?) by nature. They are just beginning to come up with new ways to deal with narcissisic tendencies. If you want to change, DON'T GIVE UP TRYING. (And I know you're out there.) Moving forward--even just a little--is always better than moving backward.

Third, as the mother of a possible narcissist, I am about as popular as the devil himself. Here's a newsflash. I did not abuse my son. Neither did my husband/his father. I am not perfect, by any means, but I am absolutely not a monster. I have run myself through the wringer over this, but have finally come to the conclusion this is NOT all my fault. Am I perfect? No. Did I ever beat him? Uh, no way. Did I ever yell? Um, not proud of it, but yes, 'fraid so. Were there ever times I wasn't there to meet his every emotional need? Undoubtedly. (Did you meet all of your kids' needs? Does anybody?)

Can I admit to myself that there were things my son may have needed from me that I was unaware of or unable to supply? It breaks my heart to think it, but yes. Absolutely. I have done--and will continue to do--some serious introspection to discover what I could have done better in the past and what I may do better in the future.

But guess what, "experts"? While I undoubtedly had a hand in shaping the person my son has become, so did a myriad of other factors. I refuse to be the only scapegoat here. (Remember when autism and anorexia used to be blamed on the mother, too? Anyone see a pattern here?) Stop using mothers as your dumping ground, and let's find out what's really going on here.

Fourth, narcissists are supposed to be, what, 1% of the population? Then how is it possible that everyone seems to know SEVERAL? Narcissists are obviously hard to diagnose; it's very possible that there are more than previously estimated. But narcissism is an extreme condition, not just a personality flaw. Just because someone is a jerk/self-absorbed/your last lover doesn't automatically qualify him/her as a pathological narcissist. This is a serious disorder, not the latest catchphrase; please don't treat it lightly.

I suspect my son may be narcissistic so I have been doing quite a bit a research about the subject, and I have learned several things:

First, save rapists and convicted murders, I have never seen a group of people so universally despised and maligned, without any regard to their feelings whatsoever. Yes, I know, they have no feelings, right? Um, guess again. One of the defining characteristics of a narcissist is that they are extremely sensitive to criticism!

On one website, someone actually said the only way to cure a narcissist is for him/her to die. On this very website someone said: "They are freaks of nature." Can you imagine saying that about any other group of people? Go online and read some of the things that are said about narcissists. Then insert the name of your favorite minority group. How does it sound now? No matter how much you may hate your narcissist of choice, you are talking about PEOPLE here. Let's have a little respect.

Second, I have come across many people who have admitted to being narcissistic, who have actually been trying to get help. After looking on the internet, I'm surprised they even bother. The leading "expert" in the field--who is an admitted narcissist himself--dominates nearly every discussion, admits that he doesn't try to change, and doesn't believe it to be possible.

Well, he is only one man. There are degrees of narcissism and each case is different. The brain is malleable organ; humans are adaptable (dare I say evolutionary?) by nature. They are just beginning to come up with new ways to deal with narcissisic tendencies. If you want to change, DON'T GIVE UP TRYING. (And I know you're out there.) Moving forward--even just a little--is always better than moving backward.

Third, as the mother of a possible narcissist, I am about as popular as the devil himself. Here's a newsflash. I did not abuse my son. Neither did my husband/his father. I am not perfect, by any means, but I am absolutely not a monster. I have run myself through the wringer over this, but have finally come to the conclusion this is NOT all my fault. Am I perfect? No. Did I ever beat him? Uh, no way. Did I ever yell? Um, not proud of it, but yes, 'fraid so. Were there ever times I wasn't there to meet his every emotional need? Undoubtedly. (Did you meet all of your kids' needs? Does anybody?)

Can I admit to myself that there were things my son may have needed from me that I was unaware of or unable to supply? It breaks my heart to think it, but yes. Absolutely. I have done--and will continue to do--some serious introspection to discover what I could have done better in the past and what I may do better in the future.

But guess what, "experts"? While I undoubtedly had a hand in shaping the person my son has become, so did a myriad of other factors. I refuse to be the only scapegoat here. (Remember when autism and anorexia used to be blamed on the mother, too? Anyone see a pattern here?) Stop using mothers as your dumping ground, and let's find out what's really going on here.

Fourth, narcissists are supposed to be, what, 1% of the population? Then how is it possible that everyone seems to know SEVERAL? Narcissists are obviously hard to diagnose; it's very possible that there are more than previously estimated. But narcissism is an extreme condition, not just a personality flaw. Just because someone is a jerk/self-absorbed/your last lover doesn't automatically qualify him/her as a pathological narcissist. This is a serious disorder, not the latest catchphrase; please don't treat it lightly.

I understand what the person above is saying, but there's so much defensiveness...kind of makes you suspect the obvious...

I think lots of people are hurt by narcissists and badly because that's what happens with this disorder. On the other hand, I don't see too many "victims" taking their portion of responsibility. I hate thinking of it as victim, too. Sure, the N I knew did terrible things to me, but I was foolish to let it happen. I discovered my own deep dysfunction when I realized what he was. No one seems to talk much about that, but often narcissists and their dependents (i.e. partners) come from a similar place, usually involving abuse or neglect in their childhoods.

Anyway, I like the narcissist I know. Sometimes that's the part that is difficult for me because I am in No Contact. I wish he could be different, but personality is pretty immutable.

Do narcissists try to turn the tables when confronted?

== =

yes! Anything they are accusing you of, they are doing themselves

In the narcissist's surrealistic world, even language is pathologized. It mutates into a weapon of self defence, a verbal fortification, a medium without a message, replacing words with duplicitous and ambiguous vocables.

Narcissists (and, often, by contagion, their unfortunate victims) don't talk, or communicate. They fend off. They hide and evade and avoid and disguise. In their planet of capricious and arbitrary unpredictability, of shifting semiotic and semantic dunes - they perfect the ability to say nothing in lengthy, Castro-like speeches.

The ensuing convoluted sentences are arabesques of meaninglessness, acrobatics of evasion, lack of commitment elevated to an ideology. The narcissist prefers to wait and see and see what waiting brings. It is the postponement of the inevitable that leads to the inevitability of postponement as a strategy of survival.

It is often impossible to really understand a narcissist. The evasive syntax fast deteriorates into ever more labyrinthine structures. The grammar tortured to produce the verbal Doppler shifts essential to disguise the source of the information, its distance from reality, the speed of its degeneration into rigid "official" versions.

Buried under the lush flora and fauna of idioms without an end, the language erupts, like some exotic rash, an autoimmune reaction to its infection and contamination. Like vile weeds it spread throughout, strangling with absent minded persistence the ability to understand, to feel, to agree, to disagree and to debate, to present arguments, to compare notes, to learn and to teach.

Narcissists, therefore, never talk to others - rather, they talk at others, or lecture them. They exchange subtexts, camouflage-wrapped by elaborate, florid, texts. They read between the lines, spawning a multitude of private languages, prejudices, superstitions, conspiracy theories, rumours, phobias and hysterias. Theirs is a solipsistic world - where communication is permitted only with oneself and the aim of language is to throw others off the scent or to obtain narcissistic supply.

This has profound implications. Communication through unequivocal, unambiguous, information-rich symbol systems is such an integral and crucial part of our world - that its absence is not postulated even in the remotest galaxies which grace the skies of science fiction. In this sense, narcissists are nothing short of aliens. It is not that they employ a different language, a code to be deciphered by a new Freud. It is also not the outcome of upbringing or socio-cultural background.

It is the fact that language is put by Narcissists to a different use - not to communicate but to obscure, not to share but to abstain, not to learn but to defend and resist, not to teach but to preserve ever less tenable monopolies, to disagree without incurring wrath, to criticize without commitment, to agree without appearing to do so. Thus, an "agreement" with a narcissist is a vague expression of intent at a given moment - rather than the clear listing of long term, iron-cast and mutual commitments.

The rules that govern the narcissist's universe are loopholed incomprehensibles, open to an exegesis so wide and so self-contradictory that it renders them meaningless. The narcissist often hangs himself by his own verbose Gordic knots, having stumbled through a minefield of logical fallacies and endured self inflicted inconsistencies. Unfinished sentences hover in the air, like vapour above a semantic swamp.

In the case of the inverted narcissist, who was suppressed and abused by overbearing caregivers, there is the strong urge not to offend. Intimacy and inter-dependence are great. Parental or peer pressures are irresistible and result in conformity and self-deprecation. Aggressive tendencies, strongly repressed in the social pressure cooker, teem under the veneer of forced civility and violent politeness. Constructive ambiguity, a non-committal "everyone is good and right", an atavistic variant of moral relativism and tolerance bred of fear and of contempt - are all at the service of this eternal vigilance against aggressive drives, at the disposal of a never ending peacekeeping mission.

With the classic narcissist, language is used cruelly and ruthlessly to ensnare one's enemies, to saw confusion and panic, to move others to emulate the narcissist ("projective identification"), to leave the listeners in doubt, in hesitation, in paralysis, to gain control, or to punish. Language is enslaved and forced to lie. The language is appropriated and expropriated. It is considered to be a weapon, an asset, a piece of lethal property, a traitorous mistress to be gang raped into submission.

With cerebral narcissists, language is a lover. The infatuation with its very sound leads to a pyrotechnic type of speech which sacrifices its meaning to its music. Its speakers pay more attention to the composition than to the content. They are swept by it, intoxicated by its perfection, inebriated by the spiralling complexity of its forms. Here, language is an inflammatory process. It attacks the very tissues of the narcissist's relationships with artistic fierceness. It invades the healthy cells of reason and logic, of cool headed argumentation and level headed debate.

How do I end a friendship with a narcissist?

Dear Lord,

It's called "NO CONTACT." You move on and never look back.

Does a narcissist seek revenge?

Answer

Most likely he will. If he's not able to come back with a good enough answer or reaction on the spot, he will most likely try to do it afterwards in a way or another. One way might be spreading rumors or lies about you behind your back.


Answer


He will absolutely spread rumors or lies about you behind your back whether you have ridiculed him in public or not. Anything he/she perceives to create narcissistic injury is fair game for retaliation.

What is conscious awareness?

Waking consciousness is a kind of mental state wherein it encloses the feelings, idea and thoughts of an individual. Waking consciousness occurs when a person is awake and active.

Can narcissism produce fulfillment?

No, because they pursue the illusions they create in their twisted minds.

The fantasy is created not in pursuit of happiness. It is created as the main part of the process of self denial. Just as the constant lies and the Narcissist rages are also part of the self denial compulsion.

We all do things to protect us from our phobias and fears. One may sleep with the lights on if we are afraid of the dark. Is this happiness?

Happiness is not a feeling of safety. It is also more then a sense of achievement. It is a function of self awareness. This is something beyond a Narcissist.

If we are the leading role in a play and we achieve high regard for our performance, this is wonderful feeling. But it is not happiness. We would not trade such a moment for the feeling one has in the arms of a true love or at the wedding of ones daughter or the birth of a child.

Maintaining a fake self image, has absolutely nothing to do with happiness and never will. Happiness will only land at ones feet when in ones own shoes.

Best medication for anger with borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorders, although they cause social difficulties, can be hard to "treat." These disorders are usually diagnosed by a psychiatrist or a psychologist, and a prescription isn't necessarily prescribed. To "treat" personality disorders, patients often go through extensive counseling sessions.

How can you tell if you are ready to leave the narcissist and how would the narcissist be reacting?

That depends on the level of narcissism you are dealing with. The most dangerous ones are the borderlines. They have a tendency to be more low key therefore are very deceptive. If they are abusive (especially physical) then you are ready when you feel you have reached rock bottom. You are ready when:

  • You look in the mirror and no longer see the person that you used to be (in a positive way)
  • You feel/look as though you've aged rapidly
  • Your self esteem is non-existent
  • You blame yourself for everything going wrong in the relationship
  • You are not healthy mentally and sometimes physically (suicidal thoughts, drinking)
  • When you know deep down that the person you have given your life to - your everything to has disappeared.

I could go on but honestly to be with a narcissist is like being in a hall of mirrors. They confuse you so much that you are lost and either 1) cannot leave because you're still in love with that non-existent person or 2) you're strung out on the hope that they'll change or your love will fix it or 3) like any abusive relationiship's mental damage - you think there's no one better out there for you.

Again, depending on the level of narcissism, if you leave they might act as though they don't care (and probably don't because they REALLY DON'T CARE)and go get a new supply source (new partner - most likely they already have someone in mind). Or they might be psycopathic and become angry. They do have a tendency to try and come back into your life - especially if they know you still love them. To them that means your supply hasn't run out. Months and even years could go by... If you are going to leave then truly leave. Because the damage is so deep rooted, you won't be able to leave them in your heart for some time but you can physically leave them. No contact is the best way to go.

What does a narcissism think about?

The way in which a narcissist thinks is basically everything to do with the self. It is all what is in it for them, what they can gain out of each situation, what they can extract from each person they come into contact with. When they have no particular use for that person, they discard them without a second's thought.

Does the narcissist change for the new girlfriend that he loves so much?

No. That person is only an extension of himself. He can only love things that are of himself and thus is incapable of any selfless love, empathy, or understanding. A narcissist's onlyopportunity for change occurs during a life altering crisis. This deflates the narcissist's ego a leaves him emotionally unstable. It is possible, but very unlikely a narcissist will change. It is even more unlikely he will change for another person. He probably is unaware of his own attitudes as they are subconscious defense mechanisms usually formed in childhood or adolescence. Furthermore, he is incapable of that self-sacrificing behavior that enables Pygmalion projects.

Is there a cure for narcissistic personality disorder?

  • Yes. Go onto: www.google.com Then type in: Treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder?" Don't be surprised to find that there is little help because Narcissists are not labeled "Narcissistic" without a good reason. They feel they are right and everyone else is wrong, so it's highly doubtful they would ever seek counseling and if they did they wouldn't believe what the counselor told them anyway. Few Narcissistic people are every helped and therefore it's difficult to really study a group of people that are narcissistic.

Who is affected by histronic personality disorder?

Histrionic personality disorder sufferers tend to exaggerate things, act in a dramatic fashion, and can be prone to excessive shows of sentimentality, anger, sadness, and happiness verging on mania. They can use this to manipulate people. The "drama queen" archetype applies.

Does a narcissist feel any real remorse when someone or thing dies such as if they run over an animal?

A narcissist is pretty close to an arrogant person. Yes, they do actually care what other people think of them or if they hurt others, but they would like you to believe otherwise. Usually narcissistic people have been hurt in some way, so they put a wall up. Often people that have had a very rough time in life will quite often put up a wall to protect themselves. From the narcissistic people I have encountered I do find they use their "private time" to express their feelings. There are people out there with absolutely no remorse and will give themselves all types of excuses to make themselves feel right, but narcissistic people a usually not included in this.

Narcissists imitate emotions in order to attrcat attention and sympathy (forms of narcissistic supply).

According to the psychological structure, "narcissism" is an obsessive interest in oneself. This obsession with the self runs the gamut from vanity (preening in the mirror) to downright God-complexes. Nevertheless, narcissists have feelings. Are narcissists sensitive? Let us define "sensitive." In its most exacting definition, "sensitive" means more aware of other people's feelings than one's own feelings. In most psychological opinion, narcissists are considered over- or hyper-sensitive. This does not mean that narcissists care more about other people than the average person. In fact, it means just the opposite. It means that THEIR feelings are more likely to be hurt (if you can get their attention away from themselves in the first place!). Thus, narcissists are not "sensitive" (liable to be touched someone else's feelings)... they are "delicate" (more apt to touched by their OWN feelings). Remorse is indeed a feeling, and it has two sides. First, it applies towards what has happened to another person or creature. Second, it applies to what has happened to oneself. For example, let us say that a man runs over a dog. Most people have both of sides of remorse run through them. First, a person generally feels bad for what has happened to the dog and its owner and perhaps anyone in the vicinity who may have been affected by the accident. Second, a person generally feels fear for what will happen next -- citations, civil suits, revenge, trauma to oneself. In narcissistic behavior, one would see more of the latter. However, let us not be hasty to attribute labels based on incidents or moments in time. Narcissism as a pathology must be identified over a longer period of time. Even so, all humans have the element of narcissism with them. It is called the Survival Instinct. In this regard, we are all narcissistic to some extent. A person who is PATHOLOGICALLY narcissistic is predominantly in Survival mode, and normally asks "What will happen to ME?" or "How does this affect ME?" It is not that a narcissist does not feel empathy or sympathy towards others, it is simply that fear and adrenaline overcome his or her better nature. How does one overcome narcissism? To begin, the narcissist must understand that there are bigger, more important things than one's own security and perfectionism. The narcissist must stop relying on the soothing words of his or her enabling partner (accomplice) and instead rely on the soothing word of God, who is bigger than any person or nation. Vanity is useless in front of a God who knows your heart. Faith overcomes fear and allows the narcissist to "let things happen." How many people do we know who say "it's all about me!" These would benefit greatly from helping others, but those gestures are empty without the appreciation that a narcissist craves. God fills that void.

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