In fact, narcissism is a normal part of development
I had a narcissist in my life once. I truly wanted nothing to do with them. To be honest, I most certainly did not want to be anything like the narcissist.
To avoid becoming anything like the narcissist in my life, I tried to be the opposite of them to an extreme, leaving me feeling like any needs I had was selfish. This really took a lot from me. From there, I decided I wanted to learn all that I could about narcissism and our development. So, we've all heard the term 'narcissist' used to describe someone arrogant, self-centered, and often a little too interested in themselves. It's an easy label to dismiss as unhelpful or even hurtful; however, it turns out that narcissism isn't always destructive!
When we typically think of narcissism, our mind may automatically recognize the negative - narcissists. But the truth is, narcissism isn't only limited to narcissists - it's a trait that is a normal part of our personality.
People with NPD have a highly severe form of narcissism that is considered a psychological condition or disorder. This mental health condition requires diagnosis and treatment from a licensed mental health professional.
It may be a little strange initially to realize that narcissism isn't always a sign of a disorder; it can also be a healthy part of our personalities if kept in balance.
So, while narcissism can be dangerous in its extreme forms, understanding the psychology of narcissism can help us all better understand ourselves (and other people, too!)
This is commonly seen in the "mine" stage. We may hear a child exclaim "Mine!" when they want an object, such as a toy, or refuse to share it with others. This can be an early display of healthy narcissism in all of us.
Narcissism Develops in Childhood
As we grow up and navigate the complexities of life, we often find that narcissism begins to develop along with us.
Development is a complex and nuanced process shaped by many factors, including upbringing, experiences, and interactions. These elements intricately intertwine to shape an individual's growth and progression.
This behavior can be highly damaging and hurtful to those around them. Recognizing that narcissism is typical human behavior is essential, but excessive narcissism can lead to problems.
Takeaways
Overall, narcissism can be a regular part of growth and development. It's important to remember that narcissism doesn't always equate with being an actual narcissist. It is simply a natural part of the human experience. Its roots are set in early childhood and can be expressed in various ways as people age.
The Narcissistic Personality Disorder is completely different from Narcissism. Normal narcissism is a healthy level of self esteem and autonomy. The extreme version, NPD is the overbearing version of it. Where the person genius level manipulative, feels overly entitled and is selfish. It’s pretty easy to notice the differences if you learn about it and have experienced the differences.
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