Pathological Narcissism
Pathological narcissism (formerly known as megalomania or, colloquially, as egotism) is a life-long pattern of
traits and behaviors. It is an infatuation and obsession with one's self and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit
of one's gratification, dominance and ambition.
We all possess healthy narcissism, which is adaptive, flexible,
realistic, and helps our functioning. In contrast, pathological narcissism is maladaptive, rigid, persisting,
and causes significant distress, and functional impairment.
Characteristics and Traits
A person diagnosed with the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) feels grandiose and self-important. He tends to
exaggerates his accomplishments, talents, skills, contacts, and personality traits to the point of lying.
He also demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements.
Narcissists are obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled
brilliance (the cerebral narcissist), bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or ideal,
everlasting, all-conquering love or passion.
They are firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only
be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions).
The narcissist requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation - or, failing that, wishes
to be feared and to be notorious. Such feedback is known as narcissistic supply and the narcissist uses it to
regulate his labile sense of self-worth.
The narcissist feels entitled. He demands automatic and full compliance with his unreasonable expectations for
special and favorable priority treatment. As a result, he is often "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses
others to achieve his or her own ends;
Narcissists lack empathy. They are unable or unwilling to identify with, acknowledge, or accept the
feelings, needs, preferences, priorities, and choices of others.
They are constantly envious of others and seek to hurt or destroy the objects of their resulting frustration.
They suffer from persecutory (paranoid) delusions because they believe that others feel the same about them -
seething with envy and resentment - and are likely to act on these negative sentiments.
The narcissist is arrogant and haughty. He feels superior, omnipotent, omniscient, invincible, immune, "above
the law", and omnipresent (magical thinking). Rages when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted by people he
considers inferior to him and unworthy.