Psychology 101: Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

[Writer]

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/personality_disorders/narcissism/narcissism_defined.html

Feels grandiose and self-important (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist), bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion

Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions)

Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation - or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious (narcissistic supply)

Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favorable priority treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her expectations

Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or her own ends

Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or acknowledge the feelings and needs of others

Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about him or her

Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes coupled with rage when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted

[BrklynLiberal]

1. The barracuda and prez shit-for-brains are like a pair of earrings.

Both having NPD.

[my2sense]

2. She's the poster child for NPD

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that she's a Governor. How in the world did those poor souls elect this idiot?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. George W. Bush?

Oh yeah, and Sarah Palin too.

When I hear conservatives bemoan Palin's sexist treatment I automatically contrast it to the lack of scrutiny Dumbya was given back in 1999/2000. The problem isn't that Palin was victimized by sexism, it's that Dumbya benefitted unfairly from his privilege as a wealthy white male.

[kurt_cagle]

4. Narcissists Seem Self Assured

I've known a few narcissists over the years. Most of them can be very charming and personable, and frequently seek out posts like political positions because they enjoy the adulation and adoration that comes from being a political candidate. However, once in office, after the crowds fade and the hard work of actually governing has to be done, narcissists typically shirk their responsibilities or delegate them off to others. Their rise also tends to be fairly meteoric, in part because once the rush of power and approval has been tasted, narcissists usually want to shoot higher up.

If a narcissist is aware of his or her shortcomings, they will usually find a "host" that will reliably stay in the background, helping them along and doing much of the real work. Dick Cheney is pretty typical of this sort of person - while he's certainly an egotist, he prefers staying in the shadows and controlling things behind the scenes, while the narcissistic George Bush (who also has an addicted personality by a number of indications) acted the figurehead, believing (at least on the surface) that they were the ones actually running things.

Bill Clinton has a number of narcissistic tendencies as well, so it's not just Republicans that are prone to it, but he also had a sufficiently broad intellect that he was able to (usually) keep those tendencies under control. Other than a certain degree of intellectual arrogance (admittedly, well-deserved) Obama does not seem to have those tendencies, just as George HW Bush really didn't have them (though Reagan, as an actor, had it in spades but was able to harness it).

Narcissism isn't necessarily bad in moderation - we would say someone was self-assured or self-possessed in that case. It's only when it gets extreme that you have someone like Palin, who was narcissistic enough (along with more than a touch of borderline personality disorder) to think that she was ready for the office of VP when she so obviously wasn't.

[Blaze Diem]

5. Interesting & spot on. How does one acquire NPD? Genetic? By chance inutero? or upbringing?

Palin is the absolute of NPD.

[Blaze Diem]

10. She believes she will convince the US that She already is elected for 2012.

Maybe she just believes it ..in her oversized head.

[GreenEyedLefty]

16. From what I've read narcissists have crushingly low self-esteem

And so they look for attention and praise wherever they can get it. They are incapable of introspection. You will never hear Sarah Palin take any personal responsibility for her failures. This seems to be why narcissists are attracted to politics. I tend to think it stems from nurture more than nature.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. Yep..

I posted something similar to this a month or so back.

The description for NPD reads like Palin's friggin' resume.

Make no doubt -- America dodged a bullet last week in sending this person back to Alaska (where she apparently refuses to stay, but no matter).

[davidpdx]

7. Yep, Carriboo Barbie always looking for attention

As long as the only position she ever holds is Governor of Alaska, I think we are safe. God forbid she tries to run for another office.

[Writer]

8. Kick for narcissism.

:kick:

[ErinBerin84]

9. dead on. She's crazzzzzy.

And she's still attacking Obama, I just read on the Huffington Post that she said "There is no PRESENT BUTTON!" at the governors conference. She just can't help herself, it's all she has.

[opihimoimoi]

11. I got the 4th...need the 5th....

This is wonderful...people are starting to be aware of these things more and more

becoming more picky when choosing their Leaders...

[Blaze Diem]

12. here ya go..k&r for medical abnormalities.

*

[autorank]

13. Add a little anti social and it's soup! k*r

In her quest for those strokes required to maintain her inflated, inaccurate image of her being,
she reaches out and takes what she's not given regardless of the rules due to her need to constantly
feed her ego.

This takes the narcissism into a the neighborhood of anti social personality disorder as well.

Example: Trooper gate study comes out and lists numerous specific ethics violations. Palin questioned
a few hours later, after she's seen the report. Says she's so happy that the report failed to find
any ethics violations. She deliberately lied to turn a real negative into a positive, lied in the
face of ethics violations listed on paper.

Nice smile too;)

[Duppers]

14. Her children suffer because...

"Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or acknowledge the feelings and needs of others."

If nothing else, this is what I despise her the most for.

[tomp]

15. you make an excellent case. nt

[all.of.me]

17. I could apply this list to a male 'friend' I had about five years ago....

Especially the 'rage when .... confronted.' I'm glad I got out when I did and that it went no farther than friends. I feel sorry for his kids and what he teaches them through his actions. I now know plenty of women he let go, because they did not stroke his ego enough. I pray for that guy and all women he interacts with.