Narcissism and Depression Personality Pathology, Psychological Factors and Pattern of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Narcissistic Disturbances

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Narcissism and Depression Personality Pathology, Psychological Factors and Pattern of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Narcissistic Disturbances UNIVERSITY OF COPENH AGEN FACULTY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL S CIENCES REGION ZEALAND CLINIC FOR NON - PSY CHOTIC DISORDERS SLA GELSE AND HOLBÆK PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH UNIT Narcissism and Depression Personality Pathology, Psychological Factors and Pattern of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Narcissistic Disturbances PhD Thesis Jane Fjermestad-Noll PhD- Student Jane Fjermestad-Noll, MD Clinic for Non-Psychotic Disorders, Slagelse and Holbæk Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Graduate Programme in Clinical Research University of Copenhagen Supervisor: Erik Simonsen Submitted to the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen 25th of April 2019 Principal Supervisor Professor Erik Simonsen, MD, PhD, Dr.h.c. Psychiatric Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Slagelse, Region Zealand Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen Project supervisor Adj. Professor Bent Rosenbaum, MD Institute of Psychology, University of Copenhagen International Supervisor, Academic Advisor Associate Professor Elsa Ronningstam, PhD Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital Co-supervisor Bo Bach, PhD Center for Personality Disorder Research Psychiatric Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Slagelse, Region Zealand Review Committee Professor Annamaria Giraldi, MD, PhD Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen Professor Sigmund Karterud, MD, PhD, Universitetet i Oslo Professor Bo Møhl, PhD, The Faculty of Humanities, Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University Submitted 25.04.2019 3 ”Here, Narcissus arrived, all hot and exhausted from hunting, and sank to the ground. The place looked pleasant, and here was a spring! Thirsty for water, he started to drink, but soon grew thirsty for something else. His being was suddenly overwhelmed by a vision of beauty. He fell in love with an empty hope, a shadow mistaken for substance. He gazed at himself in amazement, limbs and expression as still as a statue of Párian marble. Stretched on the grass, he saw twin stars, his own two eyes, rippling curls like the locks of a god, Apollo or Bacchus, cheeks as smooth as silk, an ivory neck and glorious face with a mixture of blushing red and creamy whiteness. All that his lovers adored, he worshipped in self-adoration. Blindly rapt with desire for himself, he was votary and idol, suitor and sweetheart, taper and fire- at one and the same time. Those beautiful lips would implore a kiss, but as he bent forward the pool would always betray him. He plunges his arms in the water to clasp that ivory neck and finds himself clutching at no one.” Narcissus and Echo, Metamorphoses, Ovid 4 Acknowledgements First, I would like to thank all the participants for investing the time and effort, in completing the self-report surveys and participating in the clinical interviews. I would like to thank the directors of Region Zealand Psychiatry, and the leaders of Psykiatrien Vest and the Psychiatric Research Unit, for making the study possible. In particular I would like to thank Erik Simonsen, for believing in my initial idea, for supporting the process of outlining the frame of the study and the terms of employment, hence making the investigation possible. Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude for his sharing of knowledge and for introducing me to his large network of relevant clinicians and researchers, both nationally and internationally. Lastly, I would like to thank “Simon” for appreciating my stubbornness in wishing to complete the study. I would like to thank Bent Rosenbaum for inspiring and stimulating my interest for research in this field, and to follow me through the process of establishing the project, and being willing to act as project supervisor. Bent is a well of knowledge and is always pouring generously from his inexhaustible source of wisdom and experience. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and optimism, and always offering academic and diplomatic advice. I would like to thank Bo Bach for his tremendous support as a supervisor. Without his kind and gentle guidance, I might still be stuck in the library looking for the right book to reveal the mysteries of statistics. Thank you, Bo, for always spreading your contagious humor and zest for research, in our immediate environment. I would like to express my immense gratitude to Elsa Ronningstam, for generously offering her academic advice and sharing her tremendous clinical knowledge of narcissism. Elsa has enthusiastically invited me to participate in, and observe her clinical work, during my three visits to MacLean Hospital, Cambridge, MA. I would particularly like to thank her for demonstrating how her positive and forthcoming nature, makes the treatment of these patients feasible. Lastly, I am indebted to her for taking great care of me during my visits, for introducing me, and arranging meetings, with a number of relevant researchers. Also, for inviting me to many interesting lectures and workshops in her Psychoanalytic network. I would like to thank those who have offered inspirational conversations and email correspondences, during the time of conceptualizing and outlining of the project: Otto Kernberg, Theodore Millon, Per Bech, Terry Maltsberger, John Gunderson, Aaron Pincus, Sydney Blatt, Stephen Huprich, Mary Zanarini, Arielle Baskin-Summer and Igor Weinberg. I would like to thank Lise Møller and Maria Meisner for the inspiring cooperation, and supportive talks. I would like to thank the entire staff at the Psychiatric Research Unit, Psykiatrisk Klinik Holbæk and Slagelse, especially the always smiling and utterly competent and welcoming, research librarian Trine Lacoppidan Kæstel, but also Dorit Mortensen, Ole Jacob Storebø, Lene Halling, Mickey Kongerslev, Sune Bo, Mathias Skjernov, Hanne Larsen, Lars Neisig Møller, Benedikte Wermuth, Lotte Dragsted, Maria Jacobsen, Birthe Jarlfeldt, Stine Thorning, Anette Svendsen, Andrei Trubach, Michael Schmidt and Gunnar Laier. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and family for supporting me during the process, absorbing frustrations and offering positive encouragement. 5 Table of contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ 6 PREFACE................................................................................................................ 10 FUNDING ................................................................................................................ 10 GUIDE TO READING THE THESIS ........................................................................ 11 LIST OF PAPERS ................................................................................................... 12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ..................................................................................... 12 LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... 13 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................... 13 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 14 AIMS OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................ 14 1. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................. 15 1.1 Historical Background ................................................................................................................................ 15 1.2 Theories on Origin and Presentation of Narcissistic Pathology .............................................................. 15 1.2.1 Heinz Kohut (1913-1981) ..................................................................................................................... 15 1.2.2 Otto Kernberg (1928-) ........................................................................................................................... 17 1.2.3 Theodore Millon (1928-2014) ............................................................................................................... 18 1.2.4 Clinical phenotypes of Narcissistic Pathology ...................................................................................... 19 1.2.4a The nature of narcissism ...................................................................................................................... 19 1.2.4b Phenotypes of narcissism .................................................................................................................... 20 1.2.4c Expressions of narcissism .................................................................................................................... 23 1.2.4d Structure of narcissism ........................................................................................................................ 23 1.2.5 Clinical presentation of narcissism according to Ronningstam ............................................................. 24 1.3 Self-report measures of Narcissistic Pathology ........................................................................................ 25 1.3.1 Narcissistic Personality Inventory and Pathological Narcissism Inventory .......................................... 25 1.4 Diagnostic Considerations .........................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • An Empirical Typology of Narcissism and Mental Health in Late Adolescence
    ARTICLE IN PRESS Journal of Adolescence Journal of Adolescence 29 (2006) 53–71 www.elsevier.com/locate/jado An empirical typology of narcissism and mental health in late adolescence Daniel K. LapsleyÃ, Matthew C. Aalsma Department of Educational Psychology, Teachers College 526, Ball State University, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 47306, USA Abstract A two-step cluster analytic strategy was used in two studies to identify an empirically derived typology of narcissism in late adolescence. In Study 1, late adolescents (N ¼ 204) responded to the profile of narcissistic dispositions and measures of grandiosity (‘‘superiority’’) and idealization (‘‘goal instability’’) inspired by Kohut’s theory, along with several College Adjustment Scales and a measure of pathology of separation- individuation. Cluster analysis revealed three clusters: covert narcissists (N ¼ 71), moderate narcissists (N ¼ 55) and overt narcissists (N ¼ 74). Moderate narcissists had significantly lower means scores on indices of anxiety, relationship problem, depression, esteem- and family problems and pathology of separation-individuation. The overt and covert clusters showed comparable levels of dysfunction on most indices of adjustment. This general pattern was replicated in Study 2 (N ¼ 210). Moderate narcissists showed a uniform profile of good adjustment, whereas covert and overt narcissist clusters showed a pervasive pattern of dysfunction. Results support the claim that narcissism has ‘‘two faces’’ and that a moderate degree of narcissism is associated with fewer adjustment problems or psychological symptoms. Directions for future research are discussed. r 2005 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ÃCorresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (D.K.
    [Show full text]
  • Vulnerable Narcissism Is (Mostly) a Disorder of Neuroticism
    Journal of Personality 86:2, April 2018 VC 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Vulnerable Narcissism Is (Mostly) a DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12303 Disorder of Neuroticism Joshua D. Miller,1 Donald R. Lynam,2 Colin Vize,2 Michael Crowe,1 Chelsea Sleep,1 Jessica L. Maples-Keller,1 Lauren R. Few,1 and W. Keith Campbell1 1University of Georgia 2Purdue University Abstract Objective: Increasing attention has been paid to the distinction between the dimensions of narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability. We examine the degree to which basic traits underlie vulnerable narcissism, with a particular emphasis on the importance of Neuroticism and Agreeableness. Method: Across four samples (undergraduate, online community, clinical-community), we conduct dominance analyses to partition the variance predicted in vulnerable narcissism by the Five-Factor Model personality domains, as well as compare the empirical profiles generated by vulnerable narcissism and Neuroticism. Results: These analyses demonstrate that the lion’s share of variance is explained by Neuroticism (65%) and Agreeableness (19%). Similarity analyses were also conducted in which the extent to which vulnerable narcissism and Neuroticism share similar empirical networks was tested using an array of criteria, including self-, informant, and thin slice ratings of personality; interview-based ratings of personality disorder and pathological traits; and self-ratings of adverse events and functional out- comes. The empirical correlates of vulnerable narcissism and Neuroticism were nearly identical (MrICC 5 .94). Partial analyses demonstrated that the variance in vulnerable narcissism not shared with Neuroticism is largely specific to disagreeableness- related traits such as distrustfulness and grandiosity. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the parsimony of using basic personality to study personality pathology and have implications for how vulnerable narcissism might be approached clinically.
    [Show full text]
  • Beyond 'Selfies': an Epidemic of Acquired Narcissism
    From the Editor Beyond ‘selfies’: An epidemic of acquired narcissism Narcissism has an evil reputation. equals. They also seem to be incapable But is it justified? A modicum of of experiencing shame as they inflate their self-importance and megalomania narcissism is actually healthy. It can at the expense of those they degrade. bolster self-confidence, assertive- They cannot tolerate any success by oth- ness, and success in business and in ers because it threatens to overshadow Henry A. Nasrallah, MD their own exaggerated achievements. the sociobiology of mating. Perhaps Editor-in-Chief They can be mercilessly harsh towards that’s why narcissism as a trait has a their underlings. They are incapable of survival value from an evolutionary fostering warm, long-term loving rela- perspective. tionships, where bidirectional respect is essential. Their lives often are replete Taking an excessive number of “selfies” with brief, broken-up relationships ‘Acquired narcissism’ with a smartphone is probably the most because they emotionally, physically, or that comes from fame common and relatively benign form sexually abuse their intimate partners. of mild narcissism (and not in DSM-5, Primary NPD has been shown in can lead celebrities to yet). Narcissistic personality disorder twin studies to be highly genetic, and start believing they are (NPD), with a prevalence of 1%, is on more strongly heritable than 17 other the extreme end of the narcissism con- personality dimensions.1 It is also indeed superior to the tinuum. It has become tainted with such resistant to any effective psychother- rest of us mortals an intensely negative halo that it has apeutic, pharmacologic, or somatic become a despised trait, an insult, and treatments.
    [Show full text]
  • The Association Between Vulnerable/Grandiose Narcissism and Emotion Regulation
    fpsyg-11-519330 October 9, 2020 Time: 14:52 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 15 October 2020 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.519330 The Association Between Vulnerable/Grandiose Narcissism and Emotion Regulation Leonie A. K. Loeffler1*, Anna K. Huebben1, Sina Radke1,2, Ute Habel1,2,3 and Birgit Derntl4,5,6* 1 Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany, 2 JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship, Research Center Jülich, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany, 3 Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 10, Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany, 4 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, 5 Werner Reichardt Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, 6 LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Narcissism has been widely discussed in the context of career success and leadership. Besides several adaptive traits, narcissism has been characterized by difficulties in emotion regulation. However, despite its essential role in mental health, there is little research on emotion regulation processes in narcissism. Specifically, the investigation Edited by: Jiajin Yuan, of not only the habitual use of specific regulation strategies but also the actual ability Southwest University, China to regulate is needed due to diverging implications for treatment approaches. Thereby Reviewed by: it is important to differentiate between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism as these Stefan Sütterlin, Østfold University College, Norway two phenotypes might be related differently to regulation deficits. The aim of this study Radosław Rogoza, was to examine the association between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski´ University, emotion regulation in healthy individuals (30f/30m) focusing on the strategy reappraisal.
    [Show full text]
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorders Are Leaders of Destructive Groups
    The Personality Disorders Ten to thirteen percent of the world population suffers from some form of a personality disorder. These people lead lives that few can understand, or want to understand. The personality disorders are not only persistent and unrelenting, but also very hard to cure. Most people with personality disorders, unlike other psychological disorders, can function normally in every aspect of society outside their disorder. The character portrayed by Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction is a good example of a Histrionic Personality Disorder. Robert De Niro’s role in Cape Fear is another example of the “villain” in movies having the characteristics of an Antisocial Personality Disorder. Many leaders of destructive groups (David Moses Berg, Children of God; Jim Jones, People’s Temple; David Koresh, Branch Davidians, etc.) also appear to be examples of a particular personality disorder called Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Clearly, not all Narcissistic Personality Disorders are leaders of destructive groups. However, in our experience, all leaders of truly destructive groups, if not true NPD’s, exhibit extreme narcissistic traits and/or tendencies. The above listed individuals, and many others, all share in common these characteristics in an uncanny way. As the DSM IV states, “Many highly successful individuals display personality traits that might be considered narcissistic. Only when these traits are inflexible, maladaptive, and persisting and cause significant functional impairment or subjective distress do they constitute Narcissistic Personality Disorder.” Personality disorders are stable and all-pervasive, not episodic. They affect most of the areas of functioning of the sufferer: his career, his interpersonal relationships, his social functioning.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism on Donation Intentions: the Moderating Role of Donation Information Openness
    sustainability Article Effects of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism on Donation Intentions: The Moderating Role of Donation Information Openness Hyeyeon Yuk 1, Tony C. Garrett 1,* and Euejung Hwang 2 1 School of Business, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; [email protected] 2 Department of Marketing, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-2-3290-2833 Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between two subtypes of narcissism (grandiose vs. vulnerable) and donation intentions, while considering the moderating effects of donation information openness. The results of an experimental survey of 359 undergraduate students showed that individuals who scored high on grandiose narcissism showed greater donation intentions when the donor’s behavior was public, while they showed lower donation intentions when it was not. In addition, individuals who scored high on vulnerable narcissism showed lower donation intentions when the donor’s behavior was not public. This study contributes to narcissism and the donation behavior literature and proposes theoretical and practical implications as per narcissistic individual differences. Future research possibilities are also discussed. Keywords: narcissism; grandiose narcissism; vulnerable narcissism; donation intentions; donation Citation: Yuk, H.; Garrett, T.C.; information openness Hwang, E. Effects of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism on Donation Intentions: The Moderating Role of Donation Information Openness. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7280. 1. Introduction https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137280 Nowadays, it is not only a firm’s social responsibility but also an individual’s proso- cial behavior that is crucial to the sustainable development of society [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Descriptive Psychopathology: the Signs and Symptoms of Behavioral
    Descriptive Psychopathology Descriptive Psychopathology The Signs and Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders Michael Alan Taylor, MD Nutan Atre Vaidya, MD CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521713917 © M. Taylor and N. Vaidya 2009 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2008 ISBN-13 978-0-511-45779-1 eBook (NetLibrary) ISBN-13 978-0-521-71391-7 paperback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Every effort has been made in preparing this publication to provide accurate and up-to-date information which is in accord with accepted standards and practice at the time of publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases, every effort has been made to disguise the identities of the individuals involved. Nevertheless, the authors, editors and publishers can make no warranties that the information contained herein is totally free from error, not least because clinical standards are constantly changing through research and regulation. The authors, editors and publishers therefore disclaim all liability of direct or consequential damages resulting from the use of material contained in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • United States District Court District of Minnesota
    CASE 0:12-cv-00407-PAM-AJB Document 16 Filed 02/06/13 Page 1 of 29 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA Kenneth Earl Daniels, Sr. Civ. No. 12-407 (PAM/AJB) Plaintiff, REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION v. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. ______________________________________________________________ Stephen J. Beseres and Eddy Pierre Pierre, Esqs., Law Offices - Harry J. Binder and Charles C. Binder, P.C., 4124 Quebec Ave. N, Suite 303, New Hope, MN 55427, for Plaintiff. David W. Fuller, Asst. United States Attorney, 600 United States Courthouse, 300 South 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415, for the Commissioner. ______________________________________________________________ ARTHUR J. BOYLAN, United States Chief Magistrate Judge The matter is before this Court, United States Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur J. Boylan, for a report and recommendation to the District Court on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule 72.1. This Court has jurisdiction under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Based on the reasoning set forth below, this Court recommends that Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment [Docket No. 7] be denied and Defendant’s motion for summary judgment [Docket No. 13] be granted. I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 1 CASE 0:12-cv-00407-PAM-AJB Document 16 Filed 02/06/13 Page 2 of 29 A. Procedural History Plaintiff Kenneth Earl Daniels, Sr. (“Daniels”) filed applications for disability insurance benefits (“DIB”) and supplemental security income (“SSI”) on October 19, 2006, alleging disability beginning October 10, 2004, based on mental illness. (Tr. 161-170, 236.)1 His applications were denied initially and upon reconsideration.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Mental Status Examination with the Help of Videos
    Understanding the Mental Status Examination with the help of videos Dr. Anvesh Roy Psychiatry Resident, University of Toronto Introduction • The mental status examination describes the sum total of the examiner’s observations and impressions of the psychiatric patient at the time of the interview. • Whereas the patient's history remains stable, the patient's mental status can change from day to day or hour to hour. • Even when a patient is mute, is incoherent, or refuses to answer questions, the clinician can obtain a wealth of information through careful observation. Outline for the Mental Status Examination • Appearance • Overt behavior • Attitude • Speech • Mood and affect • Thinking – a. Form – b. Content • Perceptions • Sensorium – a. Alertness – b. Orientation (person, place, time) – c. Concentration – d. Memory (immediate, recent, long term) – e. Calculations – f. Fund of knowledge – g. Abstract reasoning • Insight • Judgment Appearance • Examples of items in the appearance category include body type, posture, poise, clothes, grooming, hair, and nails. • Common terms used to describe appearance are healthy, sickly, ill at ease, looks older/younger than stated age, disheveled, childlike, and bizarre. • Signs of anxiety are noted: moist hands, perspiring forehead, tense posture and wide eyes. Appearance Example (from Psychosis video) • The pt. is a 23 y.o male who appears his age. There is poor grooming and personal hygiene evidenced by foul body odor and long unkempt hair. The pt. is wearing a worn T-Shirt with an odd symbol looking like a shield. This appears to be related to his delusions that he needs ‘antivirus’ protection from people who can access his mind.
    [Show full text]
  • Green Restaurant Consumers' Pride and Social Healthy Narcissism
    sustainability Article Green Restaurant Consumers’ Pride and Social Healthy Narcissism Influencing Self-Actualization and Self-Transcendence That Drive Customer Citizenship Behavior Kumju Hwang 1, Bora Lee 2 and Juhee Hahn 1,* 1 College of Business and Economics, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea; [email protected] 2 The Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 23 November 2020; Accepted: 7 December 2020; Published: 10 December 2020 Abstract: This study explored green restaurant consumers’ self-actualization and self-transcendence motivations that drive customer citizenship behavior (CCB). A survey of green restaurant consumers was administered, and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was performed. The findings indicate the presence of positive associations between pride and self-actualization, and healthy social narcissism and self-transcendence. This study also found a positive relationship between self-actualization and self-transcendence, and they are positively associated with CCB. Interestingly, the findings suggest that green restaurant consumers’ pride, self-actualization and CCB path is more dominant path vis-à-vis the path from healthy social narcissism mediated by self-transcendence to CCB. Keywords: green restaurant consumers’ pride; healthy social narcissism; self-actualization; self-transcendence; customer citizenship behavior; SEM (structural equation modeling) 1. Introduction As the food-service industry, one of the largest sales and private-sector employers [1], has been a significant source of a negative environmental impact [2], it should be seriously investigated in terms of sustainability. As the food-service industry accounts for about 30% of the global greenhouse gases [3], it is consistently ranked in the top three sources of global negative environmental impact, followed by the buildings and the transportation industry [4,5].
    [Show full text]
  • An Intimate Relationship in the Shadow of Narcissism
    AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP IN THE SHADOW OF NARCISSISM Narcissism is a personality disorder which is perceptibly common (Hare, 1993; Joutsiniemi, Kaulio, Mäkelä, Pekola, & Schulman, 2007; Välipakka & Lehtosaari, 2007). Narcissistic personality disorder belongs to the same group with unstable personality disorder and asocial personality disorder (Vaknin, 1999). Still, a small proportion of narcissism is necessary for survival in life (Crompton, 2007). Healthy narcissism has to be seen separate from narcissistic personality disorder. Healthy narcissism means for example the ability to have all kinds of feelings and be empathetic. Thus, healthy narcissism is based on true self-esteem that the narcissists totally lack (Hotchkiss, 2005.) Put shortly, narcissism turns into illness when it affects human relationships and healthy narcissism negatively. According to Vaknin (1999), narcissistic personality disorder is not a familial disease. It is not restricted only to certain age, occupational, or social class nor does it follow cultural boundaries. Narcissism may sneak insidiously in someone’s life both at school, work or in an intimate relationship. Consequently, life in the shadow of narcissism is everyday life for some people. One narcissist is surrounded by even dozens of afflicted people and this makes the problem big. Recently, narcissism has got increasingly attention from researchers; however, we still know little about what narcissists actually do in their everyday lives (Hotlzman, Vazire, & Metlz, 2010) or in their intimate relationships (Määttä, 2009). Furthermore, it is often difficult to recognize the narcissist because he/she can act all emotional states in a credible way (Ellilä, 2008). In this article, we contemplate how narcissism is connected to love.
    [Show full text]
  • Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder
    ANRV407-CP06-08 ARI 17 November 2009 21:25 V I E E W R S Review in Advance first posted online E on December 14, 2009. (Changes may I N C still occur before final publication N online and in print.) A D V A Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder Aaron L. Pincus and Mark R. Lukowitsky Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802; email: [email protected], [email protected] Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 2010. 6:8.1–8.26 Key Words The Annual Review of Clinical Psychology is online personality disorders, criterion problem, narcissistic grandiosity, at clinpsy.annualreviews.org narcissistic vulnerability, diagnosis This article’s doi: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.121208.131215 Abstract Copyright c 2010 by Annual Reviews. We review the literature on pathological narcissism and narcissistic per- All rights reserved sonality disorder (NPD) and describe a significant criterion problem re- 1548-5943/10/0427-0001$20.00 lated to four inconsistencies in phenotypic descriptions and taxonomic models across clinical theory, research, and practice; psychiatric diagno- sis; and social/personality psychology. This impedes scientific synthesis, weakens narcissism’s nomological net, and contributes to a discrepancy Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 2010.6. Downloaded from arjournals.annualreviews.org between low prevalence rates of NPD and higher rates of practitioner- by University of Bergen UNIVERSITETSBIBLIOTEKT on 01/04/10. For personal use only. diagnosed pathological narcissism, along with an enormous
    [Show full text]