nar·cis·sism /?n?rs??s?z?m/ Pronunciation Key – [nahr-suh-siz-em] – noun
- inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.
- Psychoanalysis. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one’s own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development.
From dictionary.com: narcissistic
If a person displays five or more of the following traits, they are likely to have narcissistic tendencies:
- A grandiose sense of self-importance (eg, exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognised as superior without commensurate achievements)
- Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or ideal love
- 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)
- Requires excessive admiration
- Has a sense of entitlement, ie, unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
- Is interpersonally exploitative, ie, takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
- Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognise or identify with the feelings and needs of others
- Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
- Shows arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes
Does that describe you? Does it describe someone in your life? Taken from The Monster in the Mirror.