From Myth to Psychology: The Journey of Narcissism
The origin of the term “narcissism” lies in the tragic tale of Narcissus in Ancient Greek mythology. Narcissus was born with exceptional beauty and rejected everyone who showed him affection. Echo, a nymph who loved him but was unable to express her feelings, was cursed by Zeus and could only repeat the words she heard. Echo, too, was rejected by Narcissus and fell into great despair.
As a punishment for breaking hearts, the gods condemned Narcissus. One day, he saw his reflection in the water and fell in love with it. This unrequited love gradually consumed him, and in an attempt to reach the reflection, he fell into the water and lost his life. This mythological account served as inspiration for the emergence of the concept of narcissism in psychology.
Introduction into Psychological Literature
The term “narcissism” was first used in a psychological context by Havelock Ellis in 1898. Later, Paul Nacke defined narcissism as a form of sexual orientation directed toward one’s own body—resembling Narcissus’s admiration for his reflection.
Sigmund Freud began addressing the concept in 1910 and solidified its theoretical foundation in psychoanalysis with his 1914 essay “On Narcissism: An Introduction.” According to Freud, narcissism involves the redirection of an individual’s libido toward their own ego.
Theoretical Differences: A Phase or a Persistent Trait?
Over time, many theorists have examined narcissism from different perspectives. Freud viewed it as a temporary stage in development, while Carl Jung and others suggested it could become a lasting personality trait. Kernberg saw narcissism as a developmental phase, whereas Kohut considered it a part of healthy personality development that persists throughout life.
Christopher Lasch interpreted narcissism not as an individual pathology but as a result of societal conditions. He regarded the rising prevalence of narcissism in contemporary society as a coping mechanism for stress.
The Role of Early Experiences
Karen Horney described narcissism as a defense mechanism developed in response to past adversities. She argued that individuals feel inadequate and exaggerate their self-image to compensate for their inner deficits. Horney also noted that narcissistic individuals often struggle with social relationships and forming emotional connections.
Research indicates that the roots of narcissism frequently lie in childhood neglect or traumatic experiences. Individuals who did not receive adequate attention and affection in childhood tend to build emotional walls as a form of self-protection, which over time becomes ingrained in their personality.
The Two Faces of Narcissism: Healthy or Pathological?
Narcissism is not solely a psychopathological condition. Healthy narcissism allows individuals to maintain self-confidence, protect their ego from external judgments, and remain faithful to their internal values. This form contributes positively to psychological resilience.
In contrast, pathological narcissism involves denial of reality, extreme self-glorification, and an inability to accept criticism. Such individuals often refuse to acknowledge their problems and resist psychological help. Low motivation in therapy makes treatment more challenging.
According to Kernberg, pathological narcissists harbor deep dissatisfaction with themselves. Despite their confident exterior, they often experience internal feelings of inadequacy and self-hatred.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
According to the DSM-V, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by the following core features:
● A grandiose sense of self-importance and uniqueness
● Constant need for admiration and validation
● Lack of empathy
● Envy of others or belief that others envy them
● Exploitation of others for personal gain
This personality structure can negatively impact both the individual and those around them. However, when certain traits are recognized and redirected appropriately, these individuals may harness their high potential to become productive and socially beneficial.
Narcissistic personalities often exhibit perfectionism, which may lead to achievement. But to yield positive outcomes, individuals must gain self-awareness and channel their energy constructively.
These individuals can be encountered in all areas of life. People with narcissistic personality traits often display behavior that disturbs others in relationships. Therefore, their presence is usually unmistakable. When engaging with narcissistic individuals, it is essential to maintain a strong sense of self, as they struggle to cope with negative emotions. In an effort to feel better, they often project distress onto those around them. The more poorly you feel, the more relieved they become. This dynamic represents an internal attempt to escape their own emotional pain.
In relationships, they may initially idealize their partners, only to later devalue them abruptly. They are highly sensitive to criticism; even minor remarks can trigger defensive or aggressive responses. As a result, living with them can be emotionally exhausting. They typically lack insight into their own behavior and often attend therapy only at the insistence of a partner or others. Even then, they may resist the process, doubting whether anyone can truly help them.
If you consistently feel anxious, guilty, inadequate, or frequently criticized in a relationship, it may be worth considering whether your partner displays narcissistic traits. However, whether this reflects a personality disorder can only be determined by a mental health professional. It is inappropriate to make definitive conclusions without clinical observation and comprehensive evaluation.