Wednesday, September 10, 2008

And Now for the Definition

Couple people asked me what narcissism was after I left a blurb on my Myspace saying "Lisa Lisa thinks you're a narcissist". So here you go. Don't say I never gave you anything.

(Though- on second thought... if I could I would buy you all dictionaries instead. Doesn't anyone READ anymore these days??? How do you expect to get anywhere in life if you haven't read Oscar Wilde??)

(On third thought.. maybe the fact you all haven't read Oscar Wilde is a major contributor of the disturbing prevalence of narcissism in the world...)

Someone who suffers from Narcissistic Personality disorder (NPD) has at least 5 of the following characteristics:

  1. A grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
  2. Preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
  3. Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
  4. Requires excessive admiration
  5. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
  6. Interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
  7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
  8. Often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
  9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Here are some more signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder to look out for:

  • Jealousy and possessiveness
  • Excessive need to feel special, adored, loved, appreciated, or admired
  • Rage attacks when you do not sufficiently meet his/her needs
  • Controlling behaviors (trying to control how you spend your time, who you talk to, how you dress, etc.)
  • Inflated self-esteem, or grandiosity (bragging, "fishing" for compliments)
  • Dramatic, insecure behaviors
  • Expecting you to take responsibility for making him/her feel better about him/herself
  • Blaming you for behaviors or feelings (i.e., "YOU made me do this," or "YOU made me feel this way.")
  • Not taking responsibility for angry behavior and justifying angry outbursts
  • An attitude that demonstrates "the world revolves around me" and "you need to cater to my ideas, opinions, thoughts, and feelings."
  • An unwillingness to reflect on his/her own behaviors