Narcissism

Narcissism is the personality trait of egotism, vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness. Applied to a social group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the plight of others.

The term "narcissism" was introduced by Havelock Ellis (later developed further by Freud in On Narcissism) after Narcissus who in Greek myth was a pathologically self-absorbed young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. Freud believed that some narcissism is an essential part of all of us from birth. Andrew P. Morrison claims that, in adults, a reasonable amount of healthy narcissism allows the individual's perception of his needs to be balanced in relation to others. In Spanish, especially in Spain, where psychoanalysis is not used in public health, the word "narcissism" has a different meaning, i.e., "overindulgence at considering one's faculties or acts". Thus, the term "healthy narcissism" is replaced by "healthy self-love".
Some experts believe a disproportionate number of pathological narcissists are at work in the most influential reaches of society, such as medicine, finance, and politics.

Healthy Narcissism

High outward self-confidence in line with reality
May enjoy power
Real concern for others and their ideas; does not exploit or devalue others
Has values; follows through on plans
Healthy childhood with support for self-esteem and appropriate limits on behaviour towards others



Destructive Narcissism
An unrealistic sense of superiority ("Grandiose")
Pursues power at all costs, lacks normal inhibitions in its pursuit
Concerns limited to expressing socially appropriate response when convenient; devalues and exploits others without remorse
Lacks values; easily bored; often changes course
Traumatic childhood undercutting true sense of self-esteem and/or learning that he/she doesn't need to be considerate of others

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