Narcissism, NPD

Why Do People Suffer with NPD?

There are 2 main areas of concentration when looking at the root cause for NPD, these are Social Conditioning and Parenting. Social Conditioning The modern media (through film, magazines, newspapers, television programmes etc.) bombards us with information on how we should aspire to achieve bigger and greater things in a world where celebrity status is …

Narcissism, NPD

What is the False Self?

The simple answer is it’s whatever the Narcissist wants it to be. In essence whatever mask they can use to hide the insecure and damaged part of themselves to obtain the narcissistic supplies they need to support an inflated view of themselves. The more complex answer is that the false Self is a protection mechanism …

Narcissism, NPD

When Does Narcissism Develop?

Sigmund Freud saw “primary narcissism” as an “auto-erotic” stage of self-love that babies go through in their first year of life. During this stage they are focused only on themselves and their own needs. “Secondary narcissism” follows this period where the child is not yet able to determine that the primary caregiver (usually the mother) …

Opinion

Legend of Narcissus and Echo

Thought bubble

In Greek mythology Echo was a wood nymph who loved a youth by the name of Narcissus. He was a beautiful creature loved by many but Narcissus loved no one. He enjoyed attention, praise and envy. In Narcissus’ eyes nobody matched him and as such he considered none were worthy of him. Echo’s passion for …

Opinion

“Alienating Behaviours” Guidelines

Thought bubble

In December 2024 the Family Justice Council released it’s guidelines on “alienating behaviours”1. It is great that the guidelines accept that the dynamic in which one parent psychologically controls/manipulates their child to reject a parent exists. Any Psychologist who has experience of working with families who are trained and are knowledgeable in personality disorders, attachment, …