Narcissistic

[April Rose]

Even in psychological literature there is a great deal of variation in describing narcissism that is a normal part of human behavior, and narcissism as a pathology. I think that the traditional social taboo against cross dressing, causes many of us to become introverted or a little self obsessed, but I don't think that in most cases it rises to the point of pathological narcissism.

[Barbara Jo]

Personally, I have always been a bit Narcissist... to a fault at times.

My mom thought there was something wrong with me but it turned out out that I had a high IQ. I only mention that as it is relevant.
Admittedly, there was a bit of "Sheldon Cooper" in me when I was younger .... until i finally realized it that people do not like it ....as Sheldon's mom told him.

i think the better question should be are we exhibitionist as it pertains to (classy) female clothes?

[TAG]

If you want to see some bad cases of narcissistic personality disorder just go on You tube.
Narcissism seems to be accepted these days on you tube.
People create YT channels for the expressed reason to talk about themselves and what they feel or what they think.
I have a friend that is very wealthy and he collects expensive cars. When he buys a new one he makes a video about it and what he paid for it.
To me that is narcissism because he is trying to impress people by showing his wealth.
In person all he does is talk about himself and yes I have mentioned to him more than a few times.
He did tell me his childhood home life wasn't great.
His parents were extremely wealthy and shipped him off to expensive boarding academies so there wasn't much love in a family sense.
I feel sorry for him in a way that he has so much as far as homes, cars and money but no wife or kids to share it with.
He is just lonely and uses his you tube channel to feel important. His parents never showed him love basically.
I love the guy but he has issues I can't help him with.

[Marissa Q]

There are a lot of folks I admire in this thread and they make some great statements. I also agree that just about everyone on Earth has some narcissistic behavior, dependent upon time and circumstance. However, I'd like to state that many of the posts in this thread are interpreting narcissism as a rather simple view of selfhood, or of the vanity associated with the mirror. The more prevalent narcissistic qualities are exhibited in relation to others, especially loved ones or SOs/wives/partners. To wit, narcissistic behavior most often includes:

• Superficial and exploitative relationships (i.e., people are only valued only to the extent they are viewed as beneficial)
• Lack of empathy (i.e., severely limited or totally lacking ability to care about the emotional needs or experiences of others, even loved ones)
• Chronic feelings of emptiness and boredom (i.e., when attention and praise are not available, narcisissists feel empty, bored, depressed, or restless)
• Vulnerability to life transitions (i.e., difficulty maintaining reality-based personal and professional goals over time; compromises required by school, jobs, and relationships may feel unbearable)

If we're truly examining ourselves for narcissistic tendencies, we should review our closest relationships as well as the perspectives of those individuals most affected by our behaviors.

1. Am I a narcissist if I look in the mirror a lot? Perhaps.
2. Am I a narcissist if I insist my wife climb on board knowing there's no possible way out for her due to social/financial constraints? Well... that "perhaps" might just veer a bit more towards a "yes".

Objective self-awareness is a quality that strengthens understanding and is never something to be avoided. Peer into that place where you dare not look and you just might find your wife/SO staring back at you!