Narcissism And Self-Esteem: A Thematic Analysis

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. (Mayo Clinic, 2014) Like other personality disorders, narcissists have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways, limiting their ability to function in important areas of life, such as school, work, and relationships. What may not be apparent to the outside eye is that there is a very fragile and friable self-esteem that is very thin-skinned. Those with this disorder think very highly of themselves and have a hard time seeing anyone else’s views, because they believe their way is the best way. They have self-centered fantasies that are high and wide of actual reality. Receiving criticism for them, even in the slightest, can be so detrimental. You may never see the extreme sensitivity to the criticism because it is often kept so quiet and hidden from others.

Have you ever been around someone who seems arrogant? It may not be just arrogance, that individual may have a Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD. Narcissus, a Greek mythological character, fell in love with his reflection in the water and could never pull himself away, so he ended up dying right beside the water after a while (Marcovitz 1). Narcissism became known as being self-centered and was developed after this Greek myth (Marcovitz 1). This disorder affects less than 1% of the American population and it occurs more in men than women (Thomas 1). Later on in life most people with NPD will experience severe symptoms around the ages of forty or fifty years old (Psych 1). Many people who have this disorder either refuse to get help

Narcissism can be defined as “ a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultra confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that 's vulnerable to the slightest criticism” (Narcissistic personality disorder, n.d.). With this disorder people generally are unhappy and disappointed when they are not privileged to special favors or given admiration they believe they deserve. With narcissistic personality disorder problems in many areas of life can arise such as work, school, financial affairs, and relationships.

Do you know the story of Narcissus? He was the very handsome fellow in Greek mythology who, because of his indifference and disdain toward others, was punished by the gods by falling in love with his own image. He was so enraptured by his beauty that he was unable to pull himself away from his own reflection, and he wasted away and died. Narcissism is also considered a social and cultural problem in America. It’s not surprising to see a rise in narcissism in this generation given that young people are being bombarded by these messages and sorts of commercial all day, every day through every form of media.

During the 60s and 70s, the revolution of the enhancement of self-esteem came into existence into the United States’ society. Jean Twenge’s article “An Army One: Me”, she discusses how the forced instilling of self-esteem, especially in small children, has caused the current generation to develop narcissistic qualities. One would presume that by the promotion of narcissism, we would inevitably discontinue the promotion of self-esteem. However, self-esteem plays a vital role in humanity’s search for

“Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A Guide to Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatments”, a Psycom article written by Christina Gregory Ph.D., is an article that explains the overall concept of narcissism as a personality disorder as well as its symptoms and causes. The author explains narcissism by explaining that “It is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, and a great need for admiration.” Narcissists, who tend to have an indefinite view of self-superiority, typically are not happy or become upset when the people surrounding them are not consistent with their need to feel admiration or praise regularly. These individuals do have an overstated sense of entitlement and self-absorption who tend to belittle the people around them and have trouble giving any credit to anyone else as well as allowing themselves to be social critiques, but they are considered the ones who usually are not able to handle when criticism is bestowed upon them. Narcissism can range from moderate to severe and has the ability to tear down and drain any relationship they try to build as it is unfulfilling to the narcissist and not enjoyable for the potential

Kinicki and Fugate (2016) state that narcissism is a negative trait of inflated views of themselves, fantasize about being in control of everything, and like to attract the admiration of others (p. 509). The Air Force has provided

“Narcissism falls along the axis of what psychologists call personality disorders, one group that includes antisocial, dependent, histrionic, avoidant and borderline personalities. But by most measures, narcissism is one of the worst, if only because the narcissists themselves are so clueless” (Jeffery Kluger). Narcissists have high self-esteem both on the inside and the outside. They are more in love with themselves than anything else. Many people are so sure that they are narcissistic, but narcissism is more than high self-esteem and loving oneself more than anything; many people also fear having a personality disorder because of how mentally ill people were treated in the 1800s.

Narcissism: is a term that originated with Narcissus in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water. Currently it is used to describe the pursuit of gratification from vanity, or egotistic admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, that derive from arrogant pride.

Just as children go through their egocentric phase, those that have NPD according the article “Narcissism and Well-Being: A Longitudinal Perspective” by Zuckerman & O 'Loughlin, (2009) states how they become “locked into that stage and never grows out of it”. When a child is allowed to feel overly important, that child will more than likely maintain their infantile mentality of “power [and] control”, thus “hindering Narcissistic characteristics. These children learn to scan and seek out those who can fulfill their narcissistic supply” that demands attention, recognition, and fulfillment.

An important understanding is there are differences between self-esteem and narcissistic entitlement. Psychologist Lisa Firestone Ph.D. explains self-esteem is unlike narcissism where it exemplifies a disposition constructed on achievements mastered, beliefs one has adhered to, and concern for others. Narcissism contrarily is regularly established by an apprehension of failure or shortcomings, focusing on oneself, an ailing drive to be known as perfect, and a longstanding self-doubt as well as concealed emotions of inadequacy

Narcissism is defined as excessive self-love and self-absorption by Myers and Dewall, (Myers & Dewall, 2015). A narcissist is completely and utterly obsessed with their own self. According to Caligor, Levy, and Yeomans (2015), narcissistic personality disorder is highly comorbid with other disorders and other psychosocial disabilities. Unfortunately, there has not been very much research on narcissism and its effects and symptoms in the past. Because of this, new studies are occurring to discover the untold answers about narcissism. Thanks to the newly found research, it has been shown that there are two subtypes of narcissistic personality disorder, with characteristics of grandiosity and vulnerability. (Lannin, Guyll, Krizan, Madon & Cornish, 2013). Those who struggle with narcissistic personality disorder may be generalized as a grandiose narcissist or a vulnerable narcissist. A grandiose narcissist may be self-loathing, have a need for admiration, feel as though they are entitled to everything, and have a lack of empathy, (Caligor, Levy, & Yeomans, 2015). A vulnerable narcissist is one who struggles with, or has low self-esteem; they are hypersensitive, they may also feel lesser than everyone else, and may feel internal emptiness, (Caligor, Levy, & Yeoman, 2015).

To understand narcissism, it is important to have a simple recognition of what a mental disorder is. A mental disorder is a disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to think, feel, function, express moods and emotions, and relate to other people. “One in four American adults is affected by a mental disorder each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness” (Mental Disorders). Narcissism also falls under the category of a personality disorder. A personality disorder is a psychological disorders marked by inflexible, disruptive, and enduring behavior patterns that impair social and other functioning. Narcissism itself involves characteristics such as inflated self-esteem, lack of empathy, tendency to exploit others, need for excessive admiration, vanity, sense of superiority, desire for authority, interpersonal exploitation, and feelings of entitlement. There are two subcategories under narcissism; covert narcissistic personality disorder and overt narcissistic personality disorder. Covert narcissistic personality disorder involves outward expression of low self-esteem and hypersensitivity but underlying attitudes of superiority and sense of entitlement. Overt narcissistic personality disorder involves grandiosity and arrogance (Weikel). The symptoms expressed by narcissists are considered truculent. Sadly, “these characteristics may be increasing among American college students” (Weikel). These arrogant, self-absorbed people are usually despised in society, causing others to believe narcissists are criminals. However, narcissism does not keep a person from being virtuous and moral. Narcissism displays unfortunate qualities in people, causing families to decline the disorder in their loved ones, but it does not mean these people should not be accepted in

Narcissists are observed to be having high self esteem though narcissism is not the same thing as self-esteem, this is seen in the attitude behind the self-esteem. Normal people with high self-esteem are seen

Narcissism is one of the most common disorders, known to scientists as the most heritable personality disorder in humans (Thomaes, et al ). It affects temperament, an individual’s nature pertaining to their permanent behavior, which can be affected through inheritance and their surroundings. In humans, the earliest stages in life affect the development of temperament the most, according to Thomaes et al ( ). It is also understood that the culture and atmosphere surrounding a human affects the maturation of narcissistic tendencies (handbook ). Thus, when a child evolves into an adult narcissist it can be inferred that at least one of their parents also displayed characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder. The wide range of self absorbed mannerisms includes holding extravagant and unstable views of oneself, a need to seek self-validation from others, infidelity, and often addictions (Thomaes et al ). A narcissist can be covert, a self-absorbed introvert that often experiences shame and similar emotions, or overt, a selfish extravert that blocks negativity through aggressive anger (Soyer et al ).