Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Identifying, Understanding and Managing Narcissism

By Rina Mcnally

Narcissism is a topical subject. It has always been known to afflict famous personalities, movie stars, and corporate stars. The interest in narcissism has now peaked with a new high profile personality reported to be suffering from it – Donald Trump. Do you see him as a narcissist or a messiah of the American masses?  Read this book to analyze the pros and cons of this controversial disorder.
But narcissism is much more than a disorder vexing the rich and famous. Is a narcissist powerful and ruthless person, like he is made out to be?  Or is their bravado, swagger, and bluster only a mask to protect their delicate personality? How do narcissists perceive themselves? How do others perceive them?  How do narcissists see others perceiving them? Are narcissists intentionally fooling or deceiving themselves about their larger than life image? If so, what purpose does it achieve? There must be some reason and method to the madness. This book comprehensively addresses this dilemma. 
Modern media bombards you with messages which range from bizarre to overtly spectacular. The reality television gives you a vicarious peek into the lives of the rich and famous. The naked truth is purveyed in center-spreads of glossy tabloids. There is no escape from obsession and narcissism. You are forced to identify with one glam star or other.  The cult of narcissism is within your reach and lounging just around the corner.  Is it possible to escape from the clutches of narcissism? 
Narcissistic Personality Disorder, how to identifying, understanding and managing narcissism will reveal the inner secrets of a narcissist to you. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rina Mcnally
• Release date: Apr 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386332220

Book preview

Introduction

The subject of narcissism is topical. While the scientific community is struggling to provide the right definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD, narcissism, as it is popularly called, is spreading like wildfire. This epidemic is still further fanned by the fact that all present day celebrities seem to revel in this form of sickness.

This book, titled Narcissistic personality disorder, how to identifying, understanding, and managing narcissism, is probably the best text which explains this disorder in simple layman terms.

The text is easy to follow and uses a minimum of scientific jargon. Yet, you will learn about the essence of this disorder.

The first chapter deals with the history and myths surrounding NPD. You will be surprised to know that the Greeks and Romans had a good understanding of narcissism. As such, the word narcissism was coined by Greeks.

In the second chapter, we deal with the clinical definition of narcissistic personality disorder. There is a difference between how the common folk view NPD and how it is defined clinically. NPD is a spectrum disorder which means that people suffering from this disorder can vary in intensity from the low end of the scale to the clinical diagnostic stage. In fact, most of us suffer from narcissism and some amount of self-worth may actually be beneficial to us. The main takeaway from this chapter is the difference between true appreciation of self which is rational and the apparent, imaginary and distorted image of self. Narcissistic personality disorder or NPD results in grandiosity and a blown-up image of self, arising from a paradoxical feeling of inadequacy.   

In chapter 3, we will discuss how narcissists see themselves. Don’t be surprised to discover the monster lurking within you. Narcissists, according to one theory, do not realize that they are indeed wolf in a rabbits clothing. Research has been conducted by various experts on how narcissists viewed themselves and how they are seen by others.   

In chapter 4, we will learn to Spot a Narcissist in office, clubs, among relatives and friends. Again there are no prizes for guessing where you might find them.

Chapter 5, Can you recognize yourself – victims of narcissists, needs to be read in its entirety. Surprisingly victims of narcissist seldom realize that they have been used, often inconsiderately, by narcissist. Two real life examples are presented to illustrate the pitfalls of falling for a narcissist. The red flags which can alert you to the dangers are also discussed.

Chapter 6 analyzes the similarities and differences of persons suffering from pathological NPD and other mental disorders. Recent studies have shown that people suffering from NPD invariably also show symptoms of other disorders. This results in what is technically called emotion dysregulation due to co-occurring vulnerability. In simple terms narcissists often suffer from other mental disorders to a varying degree. This is the reason why the definition of NPD has been suitably amended to include the main symptoms as well as other dimensions. You must know about concomitant and co-morbid mental disorders which are likely to occur along with NPD.

Chapter 7 discusses narcissist, sociopath and psychopaths. While discussing NPD, it is essential for you to know about the more dangerous cousins of Narcissism. Let’s get this cleared first – it’s difficult to identify a sociopath, a psychopath or a narcissist. Hopefully, after reading this chapter, you will be able to differentiate between them.

Chapter 8 is about relationships and the narcissist. Narcissists cover their tracks well. They know how to charm the opposite sex. They can send their partner to the moon and shower them with gifts. You might easily mistake them to be romantics. Narcissists can be irresistible lovers and that’s what makes them dangerous.  Recognizing and countering a narcissist is therefore important.

Chapter 9 talks about celebrity narcissists. Hollywood seems to fall right into the center of narcissist haven – a kind of playing ground for the largest and biggest narcissists in town, each vying for the title of  ‘narcissist’ of all times. If you are looking for examples, you need not go far. You will find the baddest of them all right here.

Chapter 10, Trumpeting your way into narcissism is an interesting read about Donald Trump. The discussion on narcissism will be incomplete without the mention of Donald Trump. Is he a typical narcissist? Or is he simply a smart cookie trying to sell his version of apple pie?  The truth whether you like it or not, is that he won the elections and is now the President of the United States of America. What is the picture which comes to your mind when you think of him?  You can decide for yourself whether he is a narcissist or not after reading this chapter.

Chapter 11 is on Hollywood celebrity culture and the cult of narcissism.  You no longer live in an isolated world.