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The Narcissist You Know 1

“I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT FACES”

The Narcissistic Continuum


Sam’s earliest memories involve his parents’ epic fights—voices raised, plates flying, tears and recriminations that sometimes ended in physical violence. His father would accuse his mother of infidelity, while she railed about his emotional neglect. Not long after Sam turned six, his parents divorced. During the ensuing years, he rarely saw his father, who remarried and started a second family. In the meantime, a long string of men, his mother’s boyfriends, moved in and out of Sam’s life. Most of them had a hard time coping with the boy’s defiant, hostile attitude. A few of them felt provoked enough to beat him. His mother never remarried.

During middle school, Sam was fairly popular and an A student, though extremely intolerant of criticism. He frequently wound up in the principal’s office for overly aggressive behavior. Even back then, before the antibullying campaign had gathered steam, his persecution of the shy and the weak regularly brought reprimands. In high school, he directed his immense competitive energy into athletics and eventually became captain of the football team, despite clashes with his coach over his disrespect and “glory hogging.” The coach knew his star player needed a strong paternal hand to help him manage that tormented, angry drive of his, but Sam rebuffed him. “You’re not my dad!” he snarled on more than one occasion. Eventually Sam received an athletic scholarship to Stanford and was recruited by Exxon upon graduation.

As a rising corporate executive, Sam was a fierce competitor, relentless in his drive to succeed, cocky and self-confident in a way that some colleagues found charming, others abrasive. He had no close friends and viewed other people with suspicion: From his cynical perspective, everyone in life was “playing an angle.” When necessary, he could feign deference toward his superiors, concealing his contempt and the immense envy he felt for their wealth and power. Rising through the ranks, he demanded complete and uncritical loyalty from his own subordinates. If they complied, he generously rewarded them. But if a member of his team failed to live up to his expectations, Sam would cast that person aside without regret. Over time, he gathered around him a devoted group of hardworking men and women who both admired and feared him.

His personal life was marked by the same competitive drive, demands for loyalty, and abrupt dismissals of those who disappointed him. After a long string of one-night stands and short-term relationships, Sam fell headlong in love with Miranda, a top runway model, whom he adored with idealistic passion. Once married, she gave up her career at his insistence. He then built them a showplace pointedly larger than the homes owned by his fellow corporate officers. They began to collect art and build a wine cellar. Sam and Miranda hosted lavish parties and elegant dinners, over which he presided with a kind of dictatorial charm.

As Miranda aged, Sam’s passion for her gradually cooled. When she became pregnant and “lost her figure,” he made snide comments and started an affair with one of his subordinates. Sam and Miranda had two sons, whom he loved in an authentic but limited way, seeing them more as reflections upon himself than as truly separate people. As a parent, he was perfectionistic and demanding but only intermittently focused on his children’s activities. He forgot school plays and athletic events he had promised to attend. He made sure his boys went to the most expensive private schools but never attended a single parent-teacher conference.

Though not an introspective man, Sam occasionally had his dark moments when he felt alone and uncared for, surrounded by hungry mouths he had to feed, literally and figuratively, or besieged by up-and-coming competitors who wanted his job. The world sometimes struck him as a hostile place, beset with dangers. At those moments, an angry sort of self-pity could set in. If it weren’t for his power and money, would anyone give a damn what happened to him? Even his own mother, sunk deep into alcoholism by that time, was always hitting him up for another “loan.”

As he reached the pinnacle of his career, Sam traveled the world extensively on the corporate jet, usually in the company of one of his mistresses. Whenever Miranda or the children complained about his absence, he called them ungrateful for failing to appreciate the affluent lifestyle he afforded them. Miranda eventually filed for divorce. Incensed, Sam hired a lawyer known for his slash-and-burn tactics, who so relentlessly persecuted Miranda that she finally gave up, walking away from the marriage with very little. Sam spread vicious rumors about her within their social set, telling unfounded tales about her promiscuity and drug abuse. Using his wealth as a weapon, he attempted to lure their children away from Miranda, threatening to cut them off if they didn’t take his side.

*  *  *

Sam perfectly fits the profile for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), a favorite diagnosis regularly made by reporters, bloggers, and professional psychologists opining in the public sphere. While the label is sometimes used loosely, with commentators applying the term “narcissistic” to just about anyone deemed conceited or overly focused on garnering attention, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) actually has precise criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder that are codified in its “bible”—the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (or the DSM).

So who qualifies as an “official” narcissist? According to the DSM, a person must demonstrate at least five of the following features to receive this diagnosis:

· A grandiose sense of self-importance—in other words, the individual exaggerates achievements and talents and expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements

· A preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

· A belief 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)

· A need for excessive admiration

· A sense of entitlement—unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

· Interpersonally exploitative behavior—someone who takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

· A lack of empathy—a person who is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

· Envy of others or a belief that others are envious of him or her

· A demonstration of arrogant and haughty behaviors or attitudes

Going by this strict definition, Sam definitely meets the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. He displays an obvious lack of empathy; he is preoccupied with enormous success and needs uncritical admiration; he’s arrogant, envious, and grandiose, and he ruthlessly exploits other people. In fact, Sam demonstrates more than five of the nine diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which points unambiguously toward this diagnosis.

But you probably could have made this diagnosis yourself, just by reading his story. Sam’s case isn’t particularly nuanced, and though you may not know someone like Sam firsthand, you’ve probably seen similar behavior in the escapades of high-flying politicians, actors, or business titans. He’s a classic case of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

But what about the other narcissists who are all around us? What about those people who fall short of the diagnostic criteria for NPD but aren’t simply vain or conceited?
NARCISSISM EXISTS ON A SPECTRUM


Since the first edition of the DSM was published in 1952, psychological thought and science has undergone several revolutions . . . and the book itself has undergone several revisions, too. In early editions, Freudian theory reigned supreme. Narcissistic tendencies were attributed to our early experiences with our mother or father, and the cure would be psychoanalysis, and lots of it.

But beginning around 1974, Freudian theory waned in influence and a more “scientific” orientation came to dominate the DSM. As the pendulum swung, the APA’s diagnosis manual began to adopt a disease model of mental illness, where psychological disorders are largely viewed as a medical condition, one that can be cured by a pill rather than by talk therapy. With its symptom checklist and elaborate numeric codes, the most recent edition (DSM5) strives to identify psychological conditions that are as discrete and circumscribed as any physical illness, such as glaucoma or asthma.

There are many positive effects of this shift—and viewing psychological problems as diseases rather than as moral failings has gone a long way to alleviate the stigma associated with mental illness. At the same time, the APA has taught us to view many disorders as the result of chemical imbalances or genetic defects, without exploring the meaning of their symptoms or their roots in personal history.

Low levels of serotonin in your brain are the cause of your depression, patients are told. This pill will take care of it.

This prevailing view of mental illness is not only misleading, it’s dangerous. It focuses on extreme cases that fit a clinical definition without providing guidance for how to spot and cope with lesser though often serious expressions of a disorder. Narcissism isn’t a disease that you can turn off or on with a pill. Remember that nine-point narcissism checklist from the DSM? Sam would be diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder because he met five of the nine criteria. What if he only met four of them? Or what if his ability to empathize were severely limited rather than entirely absent?

Some men and women barely reach the diagnostic threshold for NPD. Others fall just short. A great many other people more closely fit another diagnosis but at the same time seem quite narcissistic. These people could be just as troubled, and just as destructive to themselves and those around them . . . and it can be difficult to get them the help they need because they don’t fit some rigid definition in the DSM.

In fact, narcissism exists in many shades and degrees of severity along a continuum, as do many other high-profile medical and psychological conditions, like autism or bipolar disorder. In order to understand narcissism—to make sense of the narcissists we all know and to find ways of coping with them—we need to look beyond its strict definition in the DSM. To see people like Sam as afflicted with a disease sets them apart, as if they have nothing to do with our own emotional experience and are therefore incomprehensible. But as I’ll show in the pages ahead, the narcissistic features they display are actually the most extreme form of traits that show up across the spectrum of mental disorders, and more mildly in the general population.

In short, narcissism is a universal aspect of human psychology, existing along a continuum of possible expressions.

Although the APA sets forth nine potential criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder—as if they were distinct disease traits as well defined as the fatigue and shortness of breath that often characterize anemia—those nine features actually overlap and interconnect. From a psychological perspective, where symptoms have meaning, those nine actually boil down to two: an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for other people; the remaining features are by-products that naturally follow from them.

A person with a grandiose sense of self would likely believe herself to be unique, part of a superior elite and destined for greatness. She would feel entitled to special treatment, coming across as arrogant or haughty, and expect others to admire her. Someone who lacks empathy would more readily exploit other people for personal gain, or envy them for the simple reason that they possess what she wants.

An inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for other people: As I’ll be discussing throughout this book, these two psychological traits lie at the heart of narcissism. They largely define Narcissistic Personality Disorder according to the APA, but they often show up in other psychological disorders as well. An inflated sense of self-importance characterizes mania and the manic phases of bi-polar disorder. “Ideas of reference” that show up in paranoia, and various psychotic disorders, organize the universe around the self; other people become two-dimensional enemies, characters in one’s personal drama, with no authentic interior life of their own. People who struggle with manic-depressive illness have little emotional room left over for other people.

In other words, many individuals who don’t meet the full diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder are narcissists all the same—Extreme Narcissists, as I refer to them. And they are all around us, causing us damage, wreaking havoc in our lives. We’re ill equipped to cope with them. Often we don’t even spot them until it’s too late.

Consider the case of Naomi.
THE NARCISSIST NEXT DOOR


People who don’t know her well often describe Naomi in saintly terms. In addition to her work as a kindergarten teacher, she organizes fund-raising drives for breast cancer research and takes an active part in her congregation’s outreach to the underprivileged. At Christmas, she coordinates a gift-giving program with her local social services department, making sure that all children in foster care receive every item on their Christmas wish lists. Twice a month, she volunteers for the hot line sponsored by a shelter for battered women in her community.

“What this world needs,” acquaintances often tell her, “is more people like you.”

Naomi’s three adult children have a very different view of her. “Mother is difficult,” they often say. It’s hard to know in advance what will set her off, but certain subjects are clearly dangerous. They learned long ago never to contradict their mother when she vilifies her ex-husband, painting herself as a long-suffering martyr abandoned by a heartless philanderer who left in search of younger flesh. They never mention contacts with their father and lie point-blank if Naomi asks whether they’ve seen him. Melissa, the youngest, once made the mistake of showing off an expensive watch she received from him on her birthday. Naomi acted deeply wounded and turned chilly toward Melissa, launching small digs and snide remarks for weeks thereafter.

Naomi tends to play rotating favorites. Sometimes Molly is the good girl and her sister, Melissa, the problem; then they’ll switch roles following some unintended slight to Naomi’s self-regard. Their brother, Josh, the golden child, her pride and joy, seems largely immune from criticism. It helps that he’s a successful surgeon with a large home in the finest part of town. He buys his mother a new car every few years and occasionally sends her on a Mediterranean cruise. At work, Naomi goes on and on to her colleagues about her dutiful, generous, loving, successful, and wealthy son. How he dotes on her!

If the two sisters have lunch alone, or all three siblings get together without inviting Naomi, they know better than to mention it: She’d feel left out and jealous. “Once her children are grown,” Naomi often says in martyred tones, “a mother just doesn’t matter.” However, at full family gatherings, she st...
Revue de presse :
"A guide for understanding our own narcissism and for figuring out the roles these people can play in our lives. Clear, easily digestible pop psychology." (Kirkus)

“Joseph Burgo helps us recognize the variety of ways narcissism can look. By unveiling the early pain and trauma behind these extreme defenses, he not only gives us a way to make sense of these vexing and often cruel behaviors but to feel some compassion for those who, out of desperation, resort to them. A clear and useful guide to navigating the Extreme Narcissists in your life.” (Jasmin Lee Cori, MS, LPC author of The Emotionally Absent Mother and Healing From Trauma)

“A terrific book! Dr. Burgo has written an extremely readable and clear exploration of Extreme Narcissists. He presents effective strategies for protecting your emotional well-being and your self-worth from their bewildering and often destructive behavior. I highly recommend this timely and important book.” (Susan Forward, PhD author of Toxic Parents and Mothers Who Can’t Love)

“Dr. Burgo explores the many faces of narcissistic personality, among the least studied and understood of psychiatric conditions. In layman’s language he describes various sub types of narcissism, venturing past the usual stereotypes of unsympathetic and unlikable grandiosity. Dr. Burgo presents guidance in dealing with 'the narcissist you know.'” (Jerold J. Kreisman, MD co-author of I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality)

"Engaging and spot on! Joseph Burgo explains the many faces of Extreme Narcissism and what you need to know to stay out of trouble.” (Sandy Hotchkiss, LCSW author of Why Is It Always About You?: The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism)

“Aninteresting and insightful book on a problem that confuses and frustratesalmost everyone: narcissists and narcissistic personality disorder. As theworld catches on to the importance of dealing with narcissists effectively,this book will be one of the primers. It describes a wide range of theirdysfunctional dynamics, as well as revealing many of their childhood traumas. Dr.Burgo has provided an important blend of wariness and empathy -- both fornarcissists and for those who know them all too well.” (Bill Eddy co-author of It's All Your Fault at Work: Managing Narcissists and Other High-Conflict People)

"A smart, fresh, andinvaluable guide to the types of narcissists and their behaviors, as wellas life- and soul-saving advice on how to deal with them or fend themoff." (Peg Streep author of Mean Mothers)

"Freshinsight into the troubling narcissism epidemic, providing us with signs to helpus recognize and disarm ‘the narcissist we know.’ A fascinating, timely bookby a leading expert who offers a real guide to dealing with self-absorbedindividuals in our 'all-about-me' culture. Highly recommended!" (Michele Borba, PhD author of UnSelfie)

"Just when we had girded ourselves against the sociopath next door, Burgo alerts us to the narcissist across the street. What a neighborhood!" (The New York Times Book Review)

"Many of us hear the word 'narcissist' and automatically think about a self-absorbed person who constantly talks about himself—and yes, that's a very irritating (but small) part of it. ... It can be very difficult to know if he's simply charming because he's into you (normal),or he's charming because he's into you being into him (narcissist). ... Nobody wants that, so here's how to spot narcissists out there in the dating wild." (Glamour)

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  • ÉditeurTouchstone
  • Date d'édition2015
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  • ISBN 13 9781476785684
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