Two Narcissists in a Couple
Two narcissists of the same type cannot maintain a stable, long-term, full-fledged and functional relationship. Two narcissists of different types or opposing types can, often do, maintain long-term, stable and rather happy relationships. There are two main types of narcissists, somatic and cerebral. The somatic type of narcissist relies on his body and sexuality to generate attention, adulation and admiration, while the cerebral narcissist leverages his intellect, his intelligence and his professional achievements to obtain the same. Stable and enduring relationships can and often do develop between dissimilar narcissists.
Communal, Prosocial Narcissist: Misanthropic Altruist
Narcissists can be generous and donate to charity, but this is often a way to enhance their sense of grandiosity and control over others. They use their giving as a bait to lure people into their lair and manipulate them into subservient compliance. Narcissistic altruism is an abusive defense mechanism that avoids real intimacy and renders all relationships business-like, using the currency of money. Even the narcissist’s benevolence is spiteful, sadistic, punitive, and distancing.
Giving Narcissist Second Chance
Narcissists do not provide closure in relationships and will stalk, cajole, beg, promise, persuade, and ultimately succeed in doing the impossible to get you back. The narcissist will cast all interactions with you in terms of conflicts or competitions to be won. If you have resumed contact because you are manifestly dependent on the narcissist financially or emotionally, the narcissist will pounce on your frailty and exploit your fragility to the maximum. Ultimately, the narcissist will write the inevitable cycle of idealization and devaluation.
Personality Disorders Gender Bias
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) confesses to gender bias, with personality disorders such as borderline and histrionic being more common among women, while narcissistic, antisocial, schizotypal, passive compulsive, schizoid and paranoid disorders are more prevalent among men. The reason for this gender disparity may be due to culture-bound syndromes, with personality disorders reflecting biases and value judgments of the prevailing culture. Upbringing, environment, socialization, cultural mores, and genetics may also play a role in the pathogenesis of personality disorders. Ultimately, the ambiguity and equivocation of the diagnostic criteria may be the problem, with gender bias being everywhere in the psychiatric profession.
Psychological Tests and Structured Interviews: Introduction
Personality assessment is an art form that uses psychological tests and structured interviews to render it as objective and standardized as possible. Most tests restrict the repertory of permitted answers, and the scoring and keying of results are automated. Interpretation is arguably more important than data gathering, and most practitioners administer a battery of tests and structured interviews. Projective tests are far less structured and thus a lot more ambiguous, and the scoring is done exclusively by humans and involves judgment and bias.
Old-age Narcissist
Narcissists age without grace, unable to accept their fallibility and mortality. They suffer from mental progeria, aging prematurely and finding themselves in a time warp. The longer they live, the more average they become, and the wider the gulf between their pretensions and accomplishments. Few narcissists save for rainy days, and those who succeed in their vocation end up bitterly alone, having squandered the love of family, offspring, and mates.
Bad Therapy for Abuse Victims and Survivors
Therapy for victims and survivors of abuse is not always smooth, with therapists often experiencing counter-transference and struggling to identify with the victim. Male therapists may try to prove themselves as good men, while female therapists may blame the victim for their abuse. Many therapists expect the victim to be aggressive and assertive, leading to premature termination of therapy if they fail to do so. However, good therapy can empower the victim and restore their sense of control over their life. It is crucial to find a therapist that is compatible with the specific victim or survivor of abuse.
Acquired Situational Narcissism
According to Professor Robert B. Millman, pathological malignant narcissism can be induced in adulthood by celebrity, wealth, and fame. He calls this acquired situational narcissism and believes that it can be provoked by certain situations. However, it is likely that acquired situational narcissism is merely an amplification and manifestation of earlier narcissistic conduct, traits, style, and tendencies. Narcissists tend to gravitate to specific professions and settings which guarantee them access to fame, celebrity, power, and wealth.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Misdiagnosed as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissists are anxious for social approval and seek narcissistic supply compulsively, which creates attendant anxiety. They require external feedback to regulate their sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem, making them irritable. Narcissists are terrified of being embarrassed or criticized in public, and they fail to function well in various settings. It is easy to mistake the presenting symptoms of certain anxiety disorders with pathological narcissism, but the narcissist is egosyntonic, while the anxious patient is distressed and looking for help.
Twitter Narcissism
Twitter is not a platform for narcissists as it limits them to 140 characters, which can cause narcissistic injury. However, Twitter presents a challenge to its users to be creative and imaginative in their communication. Twitter is the digital reincarnation of earlier forms of direct communication, such as the telegraph and text message, and forces recipients to use their imagination to decipher the code. Twitter is unlikely to disappear and is unlikely to become a platform for verbose, uncontrollable narcissists.