What is Narcissism?

Apattern of traits and behaviorswhich signify infatuationand obsession with one's selfto the exclusion of all othersand the egotistic and ruthlesspursuit of one's gratification,dominance and ambition.

Mostnarcissists (75%) are men.

NPDis one of a "family"of personality disorders (formerlyknown as "Cluster B").

Othermembers: Borderline PD, AntisocialPD and Histrionic PD.

NPDis often diagnosed with othermental health disorders ("co-morbidity")- or with substance abuse,or impulsive and recklessbehaviors ("dual diagnosis").

NPDis new (1980) mental healthcategory in the Diagnosticand Statistics Manual (DSM).

Thereis only scant research regardingnarcissism. But what thereis has not demonstrated anyethnic, social, cultural,economic, genetic, or professionalpredilection to NPD.

Itis estimated that 0.7-1% ofthe general population sufferfrom NPD.

Pathologicalnarcissism was first describedin detail by Freud. Othermajor contributors are: Klein,Horney, Kohut, Kernberg, Millon,Roningstam, Gunderson, Hare.

Theonset of narcissism is ininfancy, childhood and earlyadolescence. It is commonlyattributed to childhood abuseand trauma inflicted by parents,authority figures, or evenpeers.

Thereis a whole range of narcissisticreactions - from the mild,reactive and transient tothe permanent personalitydisorder.

Narcissistsare either "Cerebral"(derive their narcissisticsupply from their intelligenceor academic achievements)- or "Somatic" (derivetheir narcissistic supplyfrom their physique, exercise,physical or sexual prowessand "conquests").