Narcissism is the word of our time, and yet it’s deeply misunderstood.
It would be easier if narcissistic people were simply mirror-gazing, self-involved poseurs, but they are much more than that. They are an emotionally abusive romantic partner who belittles you but with whom you sometimes have fun. A toxic boss who berates you in front of your colleagues but whose work you greatly admire. A parent who is jealous of your success but who showed up to all your soccer games when you were a child. A friend who is forever a victim and drones on endlessly about what’s going on in their life with little interest in yours but who has been in your life since you were thirteen.
Even these snapshots fail to capture the complexity that is narcissism. You yourself have likely had one or more relationships with a narcissistic person— and may not have even known it.
What separates a narcissistic person from someone who is self-centred or vain or entitled is the consistency and sheer number of these traits in one person.
But what is also important is the function of these traits— which is to protect the narcissistic person. Narcissism is about deep insecurity and fragility, offset by behaviours like domination, manipulation and gaslighting, which allow the narcissistic person to stay in control.
Because there is such a wide spectrum of narcissism, from mild to severe, people can have very different experiences of this personality style in their relationships.
Esta historia es de la edición 25 April 2024 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 25 April 2024 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!
THE eyes HAVE IT
They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life