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Andy823

(11,495 posts)
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 01:13 PM Feb 2020

The Aging Narcissist: Adding Dementia to the Mix

Despite what a narcissist will pontificate, even they are subject to the effects of getting older. Becoming elderly is a normal part of the developmental stage of life for most people, but not for the narcissistic. They view aging as an ultimate evil. Some will engage in ridiculous plastic surgery in an effort to look as young as they feel. Others will begin a new career while their peers are retiring. And still, others will take on far younger partners.

But what the narcissist can’t do is dodge the effects of dementia. As a progressive indiscriminate disorder which sometimes transforms into Alzheimer’s or other disorders, dementia affects every area of the brain in random order. What seemed natural and habitual now becomes foreign and difficult. Memory becomes scattered and unreliable. Familiar people become strangers or even enemies that are out to get them.

For the narcissist, this is completely unacceptable. Most narcissists rely heavily on their cognitive abilities as a way of constantly demonstrating superiority over others in performance, influence, power, beauty, or money. Any sign that is is deteriorating or diminishing is out of the question, something that cannot and will not be tolerated. This is when the narcissist is most at risk for suicidal behavior.

Make no mistake; narcissists don’t threaten suicide just to get attention, they actually follow-through on the action especially when they begin to view their superior identity as slightly inferior. They would rather die than be revealed as fallible, vulnerable, or depending on someone else to do the basics of life. When a person has spent their entire life belittling and mocking those believed to be beneath them, they cannot, in the end, be revealed like them.


More at the link:

https://pro.psychcentral.com/exhausted-woman/2017/01/the-aging-narcissist-adding-dementia-to-the-mix/


7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The Aging Narcissist: Adding Dementia to the Mix (Original Post) Andy823 Feb 2020 OP
This phrase gives me a little hope: fleur-de-lisa Feb 2020 #1
I hate to laugh and kinda agree but ... yeah ... lol ... nt mr_lebowski Feb 2020 #2
I, too,... Rider3 Feb 2020 #3
Thanks for the post. Wellstone ruled Feb 2020 #4
This sounds familiar Andy823 Feb 2020 #5
I'm not so sure about the suicide part. llmart Feb 2020 #6
I don't know about that part either Andy823 Feb 2020 #7

fleur-de-lisa

(14,616 posts)
1. This phrase gives me a little hope:
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 01:17 PM
Feb 2020

"narcissists don’t threaten suicide just to get attention, they actually follow-through on the action"

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
4. Thanks for the post.
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 01:35 PM
Feb 2020

My Spouse's Brother In Law fits this description to a tee. And that was confirmed yesterday after his Daughter had him Committed to a Mental Facility last Friday due to a Suicide Threat. He is to released to his Daughter today,should be one hell of a scene .

Andy823

(11,495 posts)
5. This sounds familiar
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 01:41 PM
Feb 2020
Early Stage:

Moderate Cognitive Decline. Despite the best efforts of the narcissist, their decreased cognitive abilities become apparent to others. They typically struggle to remember even recent events, accidentally send too much money to the electrical company, or getting lost easily when in new locations. Complex work tasks become too difficult but the narcissist won’t admit to it. Instead, they will blame others and distract with elaborate stories of past successes. To avoid embarrassment (the Achilles heel of the narcissist), they withdraw from family and friends. When needed, the narcissist can function at a select event for a short period of time but as soon as it is done, so are they. The disengagement is extreme and may even appear catatonic.


This sounds a lot like what I have been seeing with trump. I also think they are bringing Hope Hicks back because he is getting worse and they need her to be there.

llmart

(15,505 posts)
6. I'm not so sure about the suicide part.
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 01:45 PM
Feb 2020

I've read quite a bit about narcissistic personality disorder and have never read a link between the aging narcissist and suicide. I am not a professional by any means, but I have known a few who suffered from this disorder quite closely and I've always felt like they are the sort who will threaten suicide for the attentin but never follow through because they believe the world just could not go on without them. They think they're that special.

Andy823

(11,495 posts)
7. I don't know about that part either
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 02:01 PM
Feb 2020

My brother in laws wife was a narcissist, and I have seen first hand how terrible they are, and the hate they have for anyone who doesn't let them be in control. I couldn't see here committing suicide, but then I stopped associating with her over 20 years ago.

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