A Study of Narcissism :: Psychology Essays

A Study of NarcissismMissing works citedSpanning back to the era of ancient Greek mythology, narcissism is currently know as an infatuation and obsession with ones self to the exclusion of all others, and as the egocentric pursuit of ones gratification, dominance and aspiration (Vaknin 1). This egocentric disorder is named after the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus- a man so enchanted by his own reflection that he pined out before it. The origin of narcissism as an acknowledged psychosis is deeply rooted in the mythological source of its very namesake. Narcissus obsession with image shows his self-idolization, but withal hints toward an insecurity regarding identity and self worth (Alford 3). According to Ovids classic account, Narcissus is quoted saying Am I the lover or beloved? Then why make love? Since I am what I long for, then my riches are So enormous they make me poor. (Ovid 464) Parallel in reference work to Narcissus, those diagnosed with h is disorder are consumed by an exaggerated drive for supremacy and control. Characteristic also is a predilection toward entitlement. Narcissists tend to the notion that one is worthy of great admiration and esteem, regardless of his or her accomplishments (Vaknin 5). Present psychology diagnoses this sort of self-fascination as a distinctive mental health illness - Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD as documented in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manuel (1994). Common characteristics of an individual afflicted by the disorder include feelings of grandiosity, desiring a state of incomparable brilliance, the need for constant affirmation, and the interpersonal exploitation(DSM 1994) of others for self- achievement. Narcissism is usually seen as an infatuation with self so acute that the welfare of others is ignored. This is due to the narcissistic aspect that people exterior to the self simply serve to mirror ones own importance. As analyzed by Freud, the story of Narcissus and its resulting condition bath be divided into two categories regressive versus progressive (Alford 35). Freud interprets narcissistic behavior as neither sick nor healthy, but indicative of the normal human condition.