History of Narcissism
Narcissus Plant (also known as the Daffodil)
It is one of the most intriguing yet ambiguous Greek myths. The story of Narcissus and Echo provide the backdrop from which the development of a clinically-recognized disorder derive. Though there are several accounts of the story, Ovid's version is the mostly widely recognized.
As history would have it, the story involves the nymph Echo who falls madly in love with Narcissus, a young man of exemplary beauty.
As a child, Narcissus dear mother received a revelation from Teiresias, the blind prophet of Thebes, that Narcissus would "live to a ripe old age, as long as he never knows himself'.
One day, when Narcissus was out hunting for stags, the mountain nymph Echo followed him through the woods. She longed to speak to him but did not dare to utter the first word. Overhearing her footsteps, Narcissus cried out, ‘Who's there?' to which she replied, ‘Who's there?' When she finally showed herself, she rushed to embrace Narcissus, but he scorned her and pushed her away. Echo spent the rest of her life grieving for Narcissus.
As history would have it, the story involves the nymph Echo who falls madly in love with Narcissus, a young man of exemplary beauty.
As a child, Narcissus dear mother received a revelation from Teiresias, the blind prophet of Thebes, that Narcissus would "live to a ripe old age, as long as he never knows himself'.
One day, when Narcissus was out hunting for stags, the mountain nymph Echo followed him through the woods. She longed to speak to him but did not dare to utter the first word. Overhearing her footsteps, Narcissus cried out, ‘Who's there?' to which she replied, ‘Who's there?' When she finally showed herself, she rushed to embrace Narcissus, but he scorned her and pushed her away. Echo spent the rest of her life grieving for Narcissus.
Narcissists are said to be in love with themselves.But this is a fallacy. Narcissus is not in love with himself. He is in love with his reflection.
Loving a reflection has two major drawbacks:- SamVaknin
- One depends on the existence and availability of the reflection to produce the emotion of self-love.
- The absence of a "compass", an "objective and realistic yardstick", by which to judge the authenticity of the reflection. In other words, it is impossible to tell whether the reflection is true to reality – and, if so, to what extent.
What is Narcissistic personality disorder?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by a long-standing pattern of grandiosity (either in fantasy or actual behavior), an overwhelming need for admiration, and usually a complete lack of empathy toward others. Typically , people living with this disorder often think of themselves as primary importance in everybody's life or to anyone with which they newly engage. Though this behavior may be fitting for those of royal status, such beliefs can be counterproductive to ordinary people who seek to build and sustain relationships.
When encountering a person with NPD, people often refer to them as hauty, rude or snobbish. These personality traits alone do not classify a person as narcissistic, yet such traits are common to the disorder.
People with Narcissism are commonly referred to as "narcissist" or having "narcissism".
Learn more about what makes a person a Narcissist
When encountering a person with NPD, people often refer to them as hauty, rude or snobbish. These personality traits alone do not classify a person as narcissistic, yet such traits are common to the disorder.
People with Narcissism are commonly referred to as "narcissist" or having "narcissism".
Learn more about what makes a person a Narcissist