POLITICS

The Definition of Narcissism

By Crabby Golightly

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", the Narcissistic Personality Disorder is the mental disorder of people who need admiration, lack empathy and have a grandiose sense of their self-importance.

Narcissists display "a pervasive pattern" of grandiosity in fantasy and behavior, with symptoms usually emerging by early adulthood and presenting in a variety of symptoms. To achieve this diagnosis, a person must exhibit five or more of the following:

(1) Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).

(2) Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

(3) Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people or institutions.

(4) Requires excessive admiration.

(5) Has a sense of entitlement--unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations.

(6) Is interpersonally exploitative--takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends.

(7) Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

(8) Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.

(9) Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.