If this doesn't describe every right-wing pundit in America....

[NightTrain]

Here's a standard definition of narcissism that can be found on several different web sites devoted to the disorder.

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Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is an all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour), need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts. Five (or more) of the following criteria must be met:

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

2. 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.

3. Firmly convinced that he or she is unique &, 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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

- American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
- Sam Vaknin. (1999). Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited, first edition. Prague and Skopje: Narcissus Publication.]

Most narcissists (75%) are men.

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Since narcissists tend to become abusive when confronted, the sites offer advice for those forced to live with them.

[yardwork]

1. It sounds just like W!

1. Exaggerates achievements.

2. Obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success.

3. Firmly convinced that he is unique and can only associate with similarly high-status people.

4. Requires excessive admiration or....wishes to be feared.

5. Feels entitled.

6. Uses other people for his own ends.

7. Devoid of empathy.

8. Believes that others are constantly envious of him.

9. Arrogant...behaviors coupled with rage when frustrated.

WOW!

Edited to add - W did become abusive when confronted. He invaded Iraq.

[NightTrain]

2. Ahh, screw it! I'm kickin' this bad boy.

n/t