Narcissism (agnostic)

[Lightkeeper]

This started from another thread. Are only skin deep people narcissistic (easy for you to spell) or can people who are deep also be narcissistic? Why do we fall in love with our own reflection? If we are more self assured are we narcissistic?

[Pah]

Diagnostic Criteria
http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-pe07.html

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3. 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)
4. requires excessive admiration
5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7. lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Are only skin deep people narcissistic (easy for you to spell) or can people who are deep also be narcissistic? Why do we fall in love with our own reflection? If we are more self assured are we narcissistic?

It seems not to be related to the depth of a personality. "Self assuredness" would be a polite way of describing this clinical condition but it can cover other areas of personality not related to a mental health issue.

Bob