Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited

Vaknin, Sam (2003) Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited, in Rangelovska, Lidija, Eds. Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited. Narcissus Publications.

Abstract

The Narcissist is doomed to roam a circular labyrinth. When he does achieve something - he degrades it to enhance his own sense of omnipotence. Otherwise, he dares not face reality. He escapes to the land of no narratives where life is nothing but a parched stretch of desert to be dispensed with as soon as possible. The Narcissist whiles his life away. On the face of it, there is no (emotional) partner or mate, who typically "binds" with a Narcissist. They come in all shapes and sizes. The initial phases of attraction, infatuation and falling in love are pretty normal. The Narcissist is putting on his best face - the other party is blinded by budding love. A natural selection process occurs only much later, as the relationship develops and is put to the test." "Living with a Narcissist can be exhilarating, is always onerous, often harrowing. Surviving a relationship with a Narcissist indicates, therefore, the parameters of the personality of the survivor. He is molded by the relationship into The Typical Narcissistic Mate/Partner/Spouse.