Narcissistic Abuse Series #1 - Narcissism vs. Narcissistic
“I don’t care what you think unless it is about me.”
Narcissist is a word that’s been getting thrown around a lot lately. It pops up on social media, in the news, or even in casual conversation as someone describes their friend, parent, or significant other.
Most of us know someone who has a really high opinion of themselves, but are they narcissistic or are they just a garden variety a**hole?
The concept of narcissism is drawn from Greek mythology and the story of Narcissus, a handsome youth who falls so obsessively in love with his own reflection in the water that even a nymph cannot redirect his admiration.
Although narcissism and narcissistic are often used interchangeably, they are two very different things.
Narcissism is a personality trait that falls on a spectrum. Everyone falls somewhere on the narcissism spectrum. I hate using the word normal (because what even is that?), but narcissism that falls within the normal range indicates a sense of self that is healthy and expected for one’s developmental age (think a kid who wants praise for his art project, or a woman who desires to feel beautiful).
Narcissistic is generally used to describe expressions or characteristics of narcissism that fall above the normal range of narcissism. This can range from obnoxious to pathological. Some ways it can show up are extreme entitlement or self-absorption, an inflated sense of self-importance, and constant need for admiration or praise.
On the extreme end of the narcissism spectrum, Narcissistic Personality Disorder [NPD] is a diagnosable disorder described by the DSM-5-TR as a pervasive pattern of behaviors that are present across many or all areas of a person’s life. Someone with NPD may be referred to as a narcissist. There’s a lot to know about NPD, so I’ll go more in-depth in future posts.
Next in this blog series: 8 Signs of Narcissistic Abuse
Whether you’ve already broken free from a narcissistic relationship or are just beginning to notice the painful patterns that have kept you stuck, healing often begins with awareness. You might be realizing that no matter how much you gave or how carefully you tried to avoid conflict, the narcissist’s reactions never changed—or you may be trying to make sense of the confusion and pain left behind after being discarded.
Wherever you are in this process, know that you are not alone. Many have walked this same path and found their way to peace, clarity, and self-trust again. Working with a therapist who understands narcissistic abuse can help you process what you’ve been through, rebuild your confidence, and begin to create a life that feels safe and authentic.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing, reach out to Novus Psychotherapy & Counseling Center for support today. You deserve to feel whole, grounded, and free.
Greene, Jim. (2023). Narcissus (mythology). EBSCO Knowledge Advantage. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/narcissus-mythology
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787