Malignant narcissism
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This page is about the theories of malignant narcissism. See also narcissistic personality disorder for more common beliefs about this pathology. For the instrumental song "Malignant Narcissism" see Malignant Narcissism (song).
Malignant narcissism, a term coined by Erich Fromm, is a syndrome consisting of a cross breed of the narcissistic personality disorder, the antisocial personality disorder, as well as paranoid traits. The malignant narcissist differs from narcissistic personality disorder in that the malignant narcissist derives higher levels of psychological gratification from accomplishments over time (thus worsening the disorder). Because the malignant narcissist becomes more involved in this psychological gratification, they are apt to develop the antisocial, the paranoid, and the schizoid personality disorders. The term malignant is added to the term narcissist to indicate that individuals with this disorder tend to worsen in their impulse controls and desires over time. Malignant narcissism can be partially treated, with medications and therapy helping to reduce aggravating symptoms. Although narcissistic personality disorder is found in the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), malignant narcissism is not. Malignant narcissism should be considered a theoretical or 'experimental' diagnostic category. Malignant narcissism can be comorbid with other psychological disorders not mentioned above. Malignant narcissism is not an official diagnosis, but rather a syndrome. Individuals with malignant narcissism would be diagnosed under narcissistic personality disorder.
Contents
[edit] Malignant Narcissism on the Spectrum of Pathological Narcissism and Psychopathy
Otto Kernberg claimed that malignant narcissism should be considered part of a spectrum of pathological narcissism, which he saw as ranging from the Cleckley's antisocial character (today's psychopath) at the high end of severity, to malignant narcissism, to NPD at the low end.[1] The psychopath represents the extreme form of pathological narcissism, although it is frequently used interchangeably with the antisocial personality disorder. Individuals high in psychopathy display higher levels of antisocial behavior (which is why psychopathy is highly correlated with antisocial personality disorder). Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, malignant narcissism and psychopathy all display similar traits which are outlined in the Hare Psychopathy Checklist:
Factor1: "Aggressive narcissism"
Factor2: "Socially deviant lifestyle"
Traits not correlated with either factor
Please note that these traits are common amongst individuals with psychological disorders. The psychopath/malignant narcissist must display a strong tendency towards these characteristics.
[edit] Theories on Malignant Narcissism and its Relation to Psychopathy
Kernberg described malignant narcissism as a syndrome characterized by a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), antisocial features, paranoid traits, and ego-syntonic aggression. Other symptoms may include an absence of conscience, a psychological need for power, and a sense of importance (grandiosity). Pollock wrote: "The malignant narcissist is presented as pathologically grandiose, lacking in conscience and behavioral regulation with characteristic demonstrations of joyful cruelty and sadism."[2]
Kernberg wrote that malignant narcissism can be differentiated from psychopathy because of the malignant narcissists' capacity to internalize "both aggressive and idealized superego precursors, leading to the idealization of the aggressive, sadistic features of the pathological grandiose self of these patients." According to Kernberg, the psychopaths' paranoid stance against external influences makes them unwilling to internalize even the values of the "aggressor," while malignant narcissists "have the capacity to admire powerful people, and can depend on sadistic and powerful but reliable parental images." Malignant narcissists, in contrast to psychopaths, are also said to be capable of developing "some identification with other powerful idealized figures as part of a cohesive 'gang' ... which permits at least some loyalty and good object relations to be internalized." The malignant narcissist's main differences in impulse control from the psychopath is in the area of psychological gratification. While the psychopath displays more antisocial features, the malignant narcissist desires "unlimited power," a trait that is deemed positive in many capitalistic societies. It is possible for the malignant narcissist to move above and beyond their contemporaries, and make a positive contribution to society (although rarely is this the case). The malignant narcissist will attempt to make full use of their capabilities. Neither the malignant narcissist nor the psychopath can delay gratification, but malignant narcissism lends itself to gratification in intellectual and other positive pursuits.
[edit] Narcissistic Supply
The malignant narcissist receives psychological gratification from feelings of power that come from the outside world. These positive social cues can be in the form of attention, power, and notoriety. Over time, the malignant narcissist becomes accustomed (even addicted) to this form of psychological gratification (also known as narcissistic supply). Similar to other addictions, the narcissist needs to feed off other people's emotions for narcissistic supply to help stimulate their psychological needs. Without narcissistic supply, the narcissist will undergo withdrawal symptoms similar to a drug addict.[3]
The malignant narcissist is inherently weak because he/she derives their ego functioning ability by constantly feeding off the emotions of other people (to build up their sense of self-worth to higher levels). This is why malignant narcissism is likened to a drug addiction. The drug addict (like the malignant narcissist) needs higher dosages of a drug to get the same after-effect. The narcissist (on the other-hand) needs to build up their sense of self-worth at increasingly higher levels to maintain the same level of ego-functioning. The malignant narcissist will go to extreme levels to build up their esteem, often resorting to antisocial behaviors and isolation of others (which is why antisocial, schizoid and paranoid personality disorders accompany this disease). If the malignant narcissist's grandiose fantasies fail them and they cannot feed their ego enough to function properly, they will undergo periods of dysphoria, emotional lability and anhedonia as well as display other negative symptoms of psychological disorders.[3]
[edit] Alter Ego of the Malignant Narcissist
Individuals with malignant narcissism will display a two faced personality. The narcissist uses an alter ego (projection) to help them create a false self to society, one that will help them increase their sense of superiority. This creation of an alter ego is linked to the narcissist's fear of being inadequate or inferior to others. This "alter ego mask" worn by the narcissist is ingrained into their personality, because they constantly want to project a sense of superiority to others at all times. Over time, the narcissist gains a sense of self worth and personal insight from the feedback of other people.[3] It is common for the malignant narcissist to suffer from extremely low levels of self-esteem.[citation needed]
This conjured up alter ego (or false self) of the malignant narcissist is created because their 'real persona' rarely ever meets the expectations set by the narcissist. Instead, the narcissist tends to mimic emotional displays of other people, and creates a grandiose self to harbor their internalized fantasies of greatness. This alter ego is used in two primary ways by the narcissist:
The narcissist constantly builds upon this 'alter ego self,' creating a fictitious character that they use to show off to the world. By projecting a grander self, the narcissist is able to garner the esteem needs that are required to feed their ego properly. The narcissist is also capable of psychologically penetrating other people, learning their emotional and behavioral tendencies. The alter ego of the narcissist creates a masked identity, one that is both acceptable and respected to the outside world. In hindsight, the malignant narcissist uses this false self (alter ego) to help them feed off the emotions of other people.[3] Although under poor conditions, the narcissist will take off this mask, frequently displaying a weaker or hideous personality (the true self).[3]See also The Mask of Sanity.
[edit] Narcissistic Rage
Common to malignant narcissism is narcissistic rage. Narcissistic rage is a reaction to narcissistic injury (when the narcissist feels degraded by another person). When the narcissist's grandiose sense of self-worth is perceivably being attacked by another person, the narcissist's natural reaction is to rage and pull-down the self-worth of others (to make the narcissist feel superior to others). It is an attempt by the narcissist to soothe their internal pain and hostility, while at the same time rebuilding their self worth. Narcissistic rage should not be confused with anger (although the two are similar), and is not necessarily caused by a situation that would typically provoke anger in an individual.[4] Narcissistic rage can be explosive or passive aggressive.[4]
Narcissistic rage also occurs when the narcissist perceives that he/she is being prevented from accomplishing their grandiose fantasies.[citation needed] Because the narcissist derives pleasure from the fulfillment of their grandiose dreams (akin to an addiction), anyone standing between the narcissist and their fulfillment of such accomplishments may be subject to narcissistic rage. Narcissistic rage will frequently include yelling and berating of the person that has slighted the narcissist, but if strong enough could provoke more hostile feelings.[citation needed] Narcissistic rage is frequently short lasting, and passes when the narcissist rationalizes the shame that they felt.[citation needed]
[edit] Treatment and Diagnostic Criteria
Malignant narcissism is an incurable disease, although medical treatment and talk therapy are beneficial. Antipsychotic drugs (such as abilify) have the tendency to reduce paranoid features of the malignant narcissist. Individuals with this disorder that show signs of drug like withdrawals may benefit from SSRI anti-depressants or possibly even stimulant medication. No exact diagnostic criteria has been set for the disorder of malignant narcissism, and it is an understudied problem compared to similar psychological disorders (narcissistic personality disorder, psychopathy, schizoid personality disorder).
A recommended diagnostic checklist similar to that found in the DSM-IV would consist of:[3]
1. Feels overly grandiose, an exaggerate sense of self importance.
2. Fantasizes about unlimited success, bodily beauty, unequalled brilliance, or ideal and everlasting love.
3. Feels extremely unique, and believes that he/she can only be understood/should associate with others of equal brilliance or importance.
4. Requires excessive admiration or notoriety.
5. Feels entitled, demands automatic compliance with his/her wishes, feels slighted when not met with these expectations.
6. Is interpersonally exploitative, uses others for their own benefit.
7. Is unable or unwilling to empathize with others, feels like they are the center of the world.
8. Believes that others are envious of them, or is constantly envious of others. Always wants to outdo others, or prove themselves to others.
9. Displays arrogant or haughty behavior. Similar to criteria 3 and 5.
Also displays symptoms of the antisocial personality, the schizoid personality and the paranoid personality disorder.
[edit] Symptoms
Common characteristics of those with malignant narcissism include:
[edit] Causes
Malignant narcissism is related to narcissistic regression in infancy, in which the infant sees her/him-self as the "center of the world." Whereas most infants grow out of this stage, the malignant narcissist is thought to be trapped in this period throughout their lifetime. If this disorder is left untreated in childhood, symptoms may worsen over time. Other personality disorders are likely to branch out from malignant narcissism.
Factors that may cause malignant narcissism include:
These factors are based on the theory that malignant narcissism is 'similar' to narcissistic personality disorder, but include progressively worsening symptoms of NPD over time.
[edit] Malignant Narcissism Explained
Pathological narcissism is related to improper (external) ego functioning, where the narcissist derives their ability to function properly from external sources. Malignant narcissism is also related to an underdeveloped "or a lack of a" superego (conscience).
Using Freud's analogy of the man (ego) on a horse (Id) and a whip (superego) punishing the horse when it gets out of line in context of the "malignant narcissist" is as follows:
A simple illustration of the pathological narcissist's needs structure can be depicted using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs displays the normal distribution of motivational needs for a healthy functioning person- Physiological<Safety<Love/Belonging<Esteem<Self-Actualization:
The pathological narcissist varies in their motivational needs, frequently placing esteem needs (and self-actualization needs) above love and belonging needs as well as being on par with safety needs. These esteem needs are put in a higher priority to the narcissist because their ego functioning abilities depend on the outside world, whereas normal functioning individuals derive ego functioning internally. Without fulfilling the esteem needs of the narcissist, the ego cannot properly regulate between the id and the superego. The narcissist's structure of motivational needs would look more like the following: Physiological<Safety=Esteem<Love/Belonging=Self-Actualization.
[edit] Victimology
An unrelated, but closely held theory to malignant narcissism is victimology. Victimology is the study of the relationship between victims and their offenders. Victimology is closely related to malignant narcissism because the narcissist frequently uses/abuses others for personal gain, leaving others to feel victimized at the end of a relationship with the narcissist. These victims frequently go on to develop malignant traits similar to the narcissist, where they gain gratification from using/abusing others similar to the way they were used/abused by the narcissist (frequently their behaviors are directed at the malignant narcissist). Hence, pathological narcissism (or the gratification gained from using others) can be partially contagious.[3]
