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Antisocial personality disorder, Disorders, mental health, Narcissistic personality disorder, Narcissus, Personality, Personality disorder
“I weep for Narcissus, but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful. I weep because, each time he knelt beside my banks, I could see, in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected.” - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
I relate, not with all fondness, to the above quotes’ sentiment.
I have played the riverbank, staring endlessly at Narcissus peering at his reflection in my blue pools. Day after day he sat admiring himself in my reflection. And after he was gone, I too wept. It was only then I realized it was never him I missed.
It was what he allowed me to feel to have to experience. It was the life his presence permitted me to lead. It was how, through his association, I was able to view myself clearly; for the first time what I desired from my life.
Through his reflection I could see the vision of my own capabilities. I could appreciate the beauty of the kind of person I am. I was able to truly appreciate that I am, in my soul, a good human being.
Yesterday, I discussed the attributes and personality traits of a sociopath and/or those afflicted with anti-social personality disorder. I discussed the potential negative implications of associating with persons who exhibit the personality of a sociopath.
Good news! There are other, equally destructive personality disorders that one must “be on the look-out” and stringently avoid contact with people suffering from this ailment.
The DSM-IV (the bible of psychiatric disorders) presents the Etiology, Symptoms, Treatment and Prognosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder as follows:
Etiology
Like most personality disorders, there are many factors that may contribute to the development of symptoms. Because the symptoms are long-lasting, the idea that symptoms begin to emerge in childhood or at least adolescence is well accepted. The negative consequences of such symptoms, however, may not show themselves until adulthood.
Symptoms
The symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder revolve around a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and sense of entitlement. Often individuals feel overly important and will exaggerate achievements and will accept, and often demand, praise and admiration despite worthy achievements. They may be overwhelmed with fantasies involving unlimited success, power, love, or beauty and feel that they can only be understood by others who are, like them, superior in some aspect of life.
There is a sense of entitlement, of being more deserving than others based solely on their superiority. These symptoms, however, are a result of an underlying sense of inferiority and are often seen as overcompensation. Because of this, they are often envious and even angry of others who have more, receive more respect or attention, or otherwise steal away the spotlight.
Treatment
Treatment for this disorder is very rarely sought. There is a limited amount of insight into the symptoms, and the negative consequences are often blamed on society. In this sense, treatment options are limited. Some research has found long-term insight oriented therapy to be effective, but getting the individual to commit to this treatment is a major obstacle. D.B.T. and the concepts and tools offered by this burgeoning treatment may be a useful tool if treatment is sought - usually when the disorder has serious negative effects on a person’s life.
Prognosis
Prognosis is limited and based mainly on the individual’s ability to recognize their underlying inferiority and decreased sense of self-worth. With insight and long-term therapy, the symptoms can be reduced in both number and intensity.
(NOTE: the upcoming release of DSM-V no longer categorizes Narcissistic Personality disorder as a mental disorder, explaining it is too broad a concept that requires a more in-depth definition. This is a point of contention within the psychiatric and psychological communities.)
Association with persons that are afflicted by Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be as painful as those with sociopathy. What out for the signs of both these self-involved states of being.
“There is no doubt that genius lasts longer than beauty”
- Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Please understand that simple narcissism does not imply one suffers from this personality disorder. We ALL have a narcissistic side. Further, we are usually attracted to those who exhibit the traits these self-centric individuals present.
Distinguishing normal, hot and sexy, narcissism differs from the DSM-IV described disease can be tricky. My advice? Follow your gut. Your instinct. It is almost always on point.
~ the audacious amateur blogger
**Visit the “FEATURED” page for a compilation of all personality disorder related posts!
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From: Sociopath World
The difference bt a sociopath and narcissist through sheep metaphor:
http://www.sociopathworld.com/2008/08/why-i-hate-narcissists.html
Narcissist wolf says to everyone:
“I’m a sheep, I’m a sheep, I’m in the sheep club. The sheep are the best. Those wolves are terrible. You have to be a special sheep to be in the high-wool club like me. If you don’t believe I’m a sheep then you are calling me a liar. I was only eating meat because my boss made me do it. I was howling at the moon because you made me angry. I have always been a sheep. You are paranoid, I don’t have canine teeth. You are imagining it. I’m a sheep. I won best sheep of the year award. We have to be on the look out for SueTarget. She’s a wolf in sheeps’ clothing. I am the one that did all the work. SueTarget messed it all up. SueTargets’s fur looks fake. I’m the biggest sheep so I should be the boss. I have every right to punish SueTarget and eat her. It will be good for her, and teach her a lesson. I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for the team. I have to be the enforcer here and eat bad sheeps to help keep society clean. I used to be a vegetarian but because all these lazy sheep won’t do anything, I am forced into keeping order and forced into being the bad guy and have to do all the eating of sheep.”
Sociopath wolf says:
“Become the sheep. Believe you are the sheep. Keep the wolf hidden. Don’t act like a narcissist and don’t try to “talk your way”. Become the sheep. Do sheep things. Behave like sheep. No one will see the wolf. Baa baa baa. Eat grass for a while. Give up meat for a while. Tell the sheep things that will make them feel good about themselves. Gain their trust. Be humble. Make them the center of attention. Get them to lower their defenses. Tell them you lost your teeth in a car accident and your parents could only afford wolf-teeth replacements. Keep past a secret so they don’t research. Let them do all the talking. Then when the time is right, devour! It is worth the sacrifice and the wait. Then on a polygraph when they ask if I am a sheep, I will have all the sheep memories because I became a sheep. I have memories of eating grass and living like a sheep. I’m telling the truth.”