What is Narcissism

Written by Dr. Sam Vaknin
------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Narcissism

A pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and
obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the
egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and
ambition.

An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour),
need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually
beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts. Five (or
more) of the following criteria must be met:

*

Feels grandiose and self-important (e.g., exaggerates achievements and
talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior
without commensurate achievements)


*

Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power
or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist),
bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or
ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion


*

Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only
be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other
special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions)


*

Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation -
or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious
(narcissistic supply)


*

Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favorable priority
treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her
expectations


*

Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or
her own ends


*

Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or
acknowledge the feelings and needs of others


*

Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about
him or her


*

Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes coupled with rage when
frustrated, contradicted, or confronted

On 3 Jun 2004 15:18:17 -0700, (I Am Not
George) wrote:

What is Narcissism

Written by Dr. Sam Vaknin
------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Narcissism

A pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and
obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the
egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and
ambition.

An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour),
need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually
beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts. Five (or
more) of the following criteria must be met:

*

Feels grandiose and self-important (e.g., exaggerates achievements and
talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior
without commensurate achievements)


*

Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power
or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist),
bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or
ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion


*

Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only
be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other
special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions)


*

Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation -
or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious
(narcissistic supply)


*

Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favorable priority
treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her
expectations


*

Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or
her own ends


*

Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or
acknowledge the feelings and needs of others


*

Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about
him or her


*

Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes coupled with rage when
frustrated, contradicted, or confronted


Yep, that about covers it. But he also suffers from Anti-Social
Personality Disorder (APD), which adds yet another dimension to his
dementia ;-).

Dave
"Sandbagger"

Hello Davie. Now that you have demonstrated such overt concern for
another's state of personal being illustrating the off-topic preferences
you prefer, go on and expound on how I profoundly do not affect you.
What do you know about replacing gaskets on the bottom end of two cycle
Evinrudes? I prefer IB Diesel and Merc to Evinrude.

Come on now Davie,,,,surely you don't hold yourself as the only one
permitted to run offtopic when replying to posts that are days and days
old...or do you? Enjoy the summer, perhaps it will assist in shedding
some of the anger you carry around. It may even aid you in remaining on
topic and not worrying so much about my personal life,,,,,,as Kim might
blame you for these rules you invoked that can have serious consequences
to reputations. When you begin a game and invent your own rules and
delve into other's personal lives born of your own ignorance and malice,
the return fire can be absolutely devastating and have consequences that
I am absolutely certain that you haven't even begun to entertain.