Narcissism: character trait or mental affliction?
Is narcissism a psychological issue, or merely a character trait?
Narcissists are pathological liars, meaning a person who lies compulsively, and habitually. They effectely live in a pretend world and are never happy, they will manipulate others to gain attention and control, or protect their own self invented image. They do not have morals and thrive purely on their own self created image, they are not to believed, nor trusted, otherwise you can become the innocent victim of their negative personality, which can be through violent attacks. So all this is a character trait, and is sometimes inherited by one, or both, parents, however that is not always easily seen by younger generations.
Definition and Characteristics
Simply put, a narcissistic person always believes that they are in control of you, and your job is to polish their halo, whether you like that or not, and will think that inventing lies about you, to put you down is perfectly ok, so never believe nor trust them. Today's world appears to be full of character attacks, carried out by people who themselves display the characteristics of being narcissistic. I believe everyone needs to learn the truth and stop assuming. This page challenges conventional wisdom and invites you to think critically about the nature of narcissism. You cannot simply walk away from these people because they will always promise you that they love and miss you, you belive them, they win, and you suffer all over again.
To escape you must be very strong, and learn to say things like: "that may be your opinion, but that doesn't make it fact" when they are telling you what to do, or not to do. You must understand, that in their mind, you were put on earth to worship them, so another old saying is a good saying to remember: "fools rush in, where angels fear to tread", so if you find you have suspicions, trust your suspicions, of course you will hear every word of 'sweet talk' from them, until they feel that they have hooked you in!
Unpacking the definition
The term 'narcissism' appears to be freely used, almost in a 'name calling' way, but often misunderstood, it actually creates a more intruiging question in my mind: Is it a clinical diagnosis, a spectrum disorder, or simply a descriptor for self-centred behaviour? Another one is Narcissistic phsycopathy which is very real, however I don't hear the 'experts' shouting about that one 🙄. By exploring phsycology, the nuances, and asking thoughtful questions you can learn a true, much deeper understanding, instead of Assuming that it's just a current trend. Dive into the origins and modern interpretations of these complex human characteristics, before thinking you're being cool.
Nature versus nurture: the inheritance question
A fundamental question in understanding narcissism is whether it is hereditary.
Do narcissits inherit narcissistic tendencies, or are they developed through upbringing and environment?
Examining both genetic predispositions and learned behaviours, should lead you to a greater understanding of the multifaceted influences at play with these conditions. Thankfully, there is no App!
Beyond the surface: where does the term originate?
To truly grasp the concept of narcissism, it's essential to understand its etymological and mythological roots. I invite you to explore the fascinating story of Narcissus from Greek mythology and trace how this ancient narrative has shaped our modern psychological understanding, long before you go 'crying over your spilt milk' as the old saying states. Be inquisitive and you'll find that you're not in a 'them or us' fight.