Can pathological narcissism lead to "toxic relationships"? Doctors reveal signs of "narcissistic personality": Be careful about being sexually assaulted and PUA
“Narcissism” seems to be a negative character, but “healthy narcissism” is necessary for everyone? Dr. Huang Xuan, an expert in critical care medicine, pointed out in the community that healthy narcissism is of positive significance in promoting personal growth; however, excessive abuse of narcissism without realizing it may have the opposite result, and even develop “pathological characteristics.” Narcissism" and harming one’s own interpersonal relationships.
Are Westerners more narcissistic than Easterners? What benefits can “healthy narcissism” bring?
Dr. Huang Xuan said that according to past research, narcissists do tend to be more common in Western countries than in non-Western countries, especially among teenagers, and the proportion of narcissists is increasing year by year: they think they are It is very important for teenagers to increase from 12% in 1963 to 77-80% in modern times. And with the popularity of social media, young people may be more susceptible to the influence of narcissistic personality.
However, narcissism is not a completely negative character. Healthy narcissism can actually help build self-confidence. A paper published in 2016 showed that healthy narcissism helps individuals improve their shortcomings and make progress in life at an unconscious level. In general, healthy narcissism can bring you three major benefits:
Self-confidence. Healthy narcissism helps enhance personal self-confidence and helps individuals achieve better results in adapting to social and psychological needs.
Build emotion. Self-confidence is a key factor in establishing good interpersonal and emotional connections. It also helps individuals face challenges in life and actively seek interactions with others.
Adaptability. Research suggests that healthy narcissism can help improve a person’s ability to adapt to the surrounding environment, giving them more confidence and courage when facing unknown things.
Are pathological narcissists prone to “toxic relationships”? Intensivist reveals 4 signs of developing “narcissistic personality”
However, when an individual seeks too much attention and recognition or even overestimates himself in the process of pursuing interests, it may no longer be a healthy narcissism, but a more pathological narcissism, even involving “narcissistic personality disorder” (NPD) and other issues. Ethnic groups with pathological narcissism tend to regard others as extensions of themselves, especially those closest to them (family members, partners, children, friends, etc.).
Dr. Huang Xuan said that pathological narcissists are prone to develop “toxic relationships” with others, or abuse their own narcissism for benefits. Most of any pathological narcissism comes from “narcissistic abuse”, which in turn affects the relationship between oneself and others. As for why individuals develop pathological narcissism? Dr. Huang Xuan believes that there are four major signs to follow:
Gaslighting. It is a method of psychological manipulation. The manipulated person may be abused by a pathological narcissist without knowing it. Common concepts such as “emotional blackmail” between the sexes or family members may also occur in the workplace and among friend groups. Pathological narcissists often cause their victims to gradually doubt themselves, causing them to question their memory, perception, or judgment.
Victim mentality. Pathological narcissists tend to “package themselves as victims” and believe that their relatives, friends and even the entire social system owe them something. Narcissists may even create false stories that entitle them to boss anyone around, or create anger and resentment toward people they identify as successful or intimate partners.
Model of Idealization and Devaluation. It is a model of psychological defense mechanism that helps individuals cope with anxiety and internal or external stress. The behavior of pathological narcissists will continue to operate back and forth between the two extreme points of the idealization and devaluation models:
In an idealized state, all imperfect behaviors will be attributed by pathological narcissists to unfavorable external conditions. At this time, they will uphold the belief that “others are kind.”
In state of devaluation, pathological narcissists will have an extremely negative view of others. For example, any imperfect behavior or thing they encounter will be easily attributed to others, and they may even engage in verbal abuse, physical violence, Behavior such as insults, bullying and defamation.
This subconscious protective mechanism is clinically most commonly associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder.
Feelings of emptiness. According to the literature, pathological narcissists are unable to develop good interpersonal relationships over the long term, which may leave them with an empty inner world. Narcissists may even sometimes share their feelings of emptiness with family and friends.
Can narcissistic personality be treated and recovered? Failure to seek immediate medical attention may lead to depression and suicide
However, pathological narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder is not a terminal illness and can be treated. Dr. Huang Xuan explained that transfer-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a psychotherapy method that is mainly used to treat borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. The main functions of shifting focus psychotherapy are as follows:
Actively explore the “transfer phenomenon” between patients and therapists, and help patients understand their behavioral patterns and psychological mechanisms.
Improve the patient’s interpersonal relationships and self-perception through the integration of the patient’s self-image and the image of others.
During the treatment process, assist patients with structure setting and boundary setting to help patients establish healthier interpersonal interactions and self-management abilities.
However, because narcissists often establish controlling and manipulative relationships with partners, friends, and family members, the victims are not only the pathological narcissist, but sometimes relatives and friends also require the intervention of psychotherapy. In addition, clinical experts believe that narcissistic partners are one of the most difficult types to treat. It is relatively rare for a couple to participate in treatment at the same time if they are both victims in each other’s lives. When narcissism is excessively abused and left untreated, it may lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicide attempts in patients with narcissistic personality.
Dr. Huang Xuan said that it is often not just the pathological narcissist who needs treatment, but the whole family may be affected. If your relatives or friends have pathological narcissistic tendencies, you should immediately seek medical advice from a psychosomatic department, a psychiatrist or a psychological counselor. “Everyone needs healthy narcissism, but excessive abuse of narcissism without knowing it is definitely unnecessary!”
Source:
The Destruction of Time in Pathological Narcissism
A Social Inference Model of Idealization and Devaluation
Are You a “Healthy Narcissist?” Or “pathological narcissism”? -Dr. Huang
XuanNarcissists as “Victims”: The Role of Narcissism in the Perception of Transgressions
The Role of Healthy Narcissism in Relating Emotionally to Familiarity and the Unknown
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