Narcissism is a personality disorder identified by excessive self love. The term arises from the Greek Mythological figure Narcissus that fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He could not tear himself away from his reflection to eat or attend to his daily normal life. This obsession led to his death. One of the most devastating types of emotional abuse comes from living with a person that suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Here’s how you know if you live with a narcissist.
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) defines narcissism as a personality disorder identified by the following 9 traits:
- High sense of self-importance. A narcissist will exaggerate achievements and talents and expects that others will just recognize their excellence.
- Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or ideal love.
- Believes that they are special and unique. They believe they will only be understood by, or can only associate with, other special or high-status people or institutions.
- Requires excessive admiration.
- Has a sense of entitlement or unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations.
- Takes advantage of others to achieve their own ends.
- Lacks empathy: unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
- Is often envious of others and believes that others are envious of them.
- Show arrogance, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
