Emotional Intelligence & NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER
NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER
The central feature of the narcissistic personality disorder is an outlandish
sense of self-importance. It is characterized by continuous self-absorption,
by fantasies of unlimited success, power and/or beauty, and by exhibitionistic
needs for constant admiration. Criticism, the indifference of others,
and threats to esteem characteristically receive exaggerated responses of
rage, shame, humiliation, or emptiness. Of course, the near-total preoccupation
with self massively disturbs interpersonal relationships in a variety of
ways. Such people may simply lack the ability to recognize how others feel.
They may have an exaggerated sense of "entitlement," expecting that the
world owes them a living without assuming reciprocal responsibilities. They
may simply be exploitative, taking advantage of others to indulge their own
desires. When they are able to establish a relationship, they may vacillate between
the extremes of over idealization and enormous devaluation of the other person.
Marion is a bit player who, at twenty-four, has not had a major theatrical role
since her high school play. She has just been turned down for the lead in a new
musical. Plagued with self-doubt, she is simultaneously furious with the casting
director, a man with whom she has studied acting for the past three years. In her
view, she should have gotten the part-both because she was every bit as good as
the young women who ultimately did get it, and because she was owed the support
of the director who encouraged her and took her money for years. Marion is certain
that the other actress got the part because she slept with the director. But her
own time will come, Marion believes, and when it does, her own name will be displayed
on the theater marquee.
Beyond her vocational difficulties, Marion also has difficulty in establishing
and maintaining friendships. Slender, beautifully dressed, and seemingly self-assured,
she has no trouble attracting men. At first, she enthusiastically envisions
great times with them. But shortly thereafter she drops them, terming them
"duds," "sexually unexciting," or "just plain boring." Women seem to fare no
better. Marion gave a friend a ticket to see her in a play. Instead, her friend visited
a hospitalized aunt. Marion fumed and viewed her friend's absence as a "betrayal."
The central feature of the narcissistic personality disorder is an outlandish
sense of self-importance. It is characterized by continuous self-absorption,
by fantasies of unlimited success, power and/or beauty, and by exhibitionistic
needs for constant admiration. Criticism, the indifference of others,
and threats to esteem characteristically receive exaggerated responses of
rage, shame, humiliation, or emptiness. Of course, the near-total preoccupation
with self massively disturbs interpersonal relationships in a variety of
ways. Such people may simply lack the ability to recognize how others feel.
They may have an exaggerated sense of "entitlement," expecting that the
world owes them a living without assuming reciprocal responsibilities. They
may simply be exploitative, taking advantage of others to indulge their own
desires. When they are able to establish a relationship, they may vacillate between
the extremes of over idealization and enormous devaluation of the other person.
Marion is a bit player who, at twenty-four, has not had a major theatrical role
since her high school play. She has just been turned down for the lead in a new
musical. Plagued with self-doubt, she is simultaneously furious with the casting
director, a man with whom she has studied acting for the past three years. In her
view, she should have gotten the part-both because she was every bit as good as
the young women who ultimately did get it, and because she was owed the support
of the director who encouraged her and took her money for years. Marion is certain
that the other actress got the part because she slept with the director. But her
own time will come, Marion believes, and when it does, her own name will be displayed
on the theater marquee.
Beyond her vocational difficulties, Marion also has difficulty in establishing
and maintaining friendships. Slender, beautifully dressed, and seemingly self-assured,
she has no trouble attracting men. At first, she enthusiastically envisions
great times with them. But shortly thereafter she drops them, terming them
"duds," "sexually unexciting," or "just plain boring." Women seem to fare no
better. Marion gave a friend a ticket to see her in a play. Instead, her friend visited
a hospitalized aunt. Marion fumed and viewed her friend's absence as a "betrayal."
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