introspektiv

Narcissism is a personality characteristic that points to the presence of a greater degree of grandiose experience of personal importance and importance, ideas about exceptional success without objective indicators of the same, high needs for constant approval from people around, attention and recognition from others. People with narcissistic traits have a tendency to unrealistically assess their own qualities and abilities in the direction of overestimating them and seeing themselves as better than others. A "narcissist" is not someone who is talented, educated, creative and has plans to realize them or already has, but someone who finds evidence of extraordinary beauty, talent and skill in what he has achieved, as it were, without objective coverage. In relation to this, he tends to take the attitude that he is worth more than others. To that extent, the function of people from the environment is to recognize "specialness" and support such a self-concept in an individual with narcissistic characteristics.

In interpersonal relationships, people with narcissistic traits are manifestly egocentric, appear arrogant to others, are focused on seeking compliments from others, talking about personal abilities and achievements in superlatives, and initiating their personality to be the subject of conversation. They tend to react hypersensitively to criticism - an insult is not only a manifestation in behavior expressed through withdrawal or resentment, but the feeling that they are less valuable as a person, and then feelings of shame, anger, inadequacy, inferiority, etc. can arise.

One of the basic defense mechanisms related to narcissism is splitting - which suggests that a person cannot integrate positive and negative characteristics into a whole. Using splitting in their perception of themselves, they have a distorted, narrowed choice: to experience themselves as less valuable or as someone who is worth much more, who is exceptional and special. In that choice, they invest a lot of psychic energy precisely in the idealized image of themselves. The problem is that this image is not realistic and that due to comments that are judged as negative - the vulnerable part of the personality reacts.

And while "narcissists" can seem very self-confident, sometimes arrogant and even rude in their behavior, a person with this type of psychopathology, by seeking admiration from others, is actually looking for a personal experience of basic value, the belief that others can accept and love them. This is one of the basic conflicts within this personality type: I can be accepted and loved vs. I cannot be accepted and loved.

Can this type of personality dynamic change, or is narcissism an immutable trait? Overcoming narcissism as a psychopathological characteristic requires motivation. Change will come
when a psychological mechanism of SELF-ACCEPTANCE is built at the level of personality dynamics - when personal real traits, appearance, talents, with all positive characteristics, as well as limitations are accepted without judgment. As a result of a change in belief, a change in emotional reactions and behavior is expected. In this way, the need to triumph over others is reduced, and space is created for authentic dialogue and focus on the other in contact.