The term “narcissism” comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a hunter who fell in love with his own reflection and drowned. Narcissism is a mental illness characterized by self-focus, lack of empathy, and entitlement. The “narcissism epidemic” refers to the increasing prevalence of unhealthy levels of narcissism in society, which can be caused by various factors. Treatment involves psychotherapy and medication.
Narcissus was a mythological Greek hunter who was so proud of his beauty that he abandoned his family and loved ones. The Greek goddess Nemesis, patroness of divine retribution, led him to a pond where she saw her reflection, fell in love – and in the pond – and drowned with her. It is from this story that the term “narcissism” takes its name. The term “narcissism epidemic” refers to the growing emergence of this mental illness in society.
Narcissism is classified as focusing entirely on oneself and one’s needs and wants at the expense of others. Symptoms of narcissism include self-focus, a boastful nature, lack of guilt, decreased empathy for others, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a decreased capacity for remorse or gratitude. There are different types of narcissism, each with different symptoms that relate to the central theme of self-importance and entitlement.
People with narcissism are not inherently unhealthy. Various psychological theories propose that a certain amount of the trait is required for individual survival and success. It is only when narcissism becomes extreme that it is classified as a mental illness. The narcissism epidemic refers to an increase in unhealthy levels of narcissism within society, even among individuals who are not prone to self-centeredness.
The causes of narcissism are variable. Some types of narcissism depend on the environment. Having narcissistic parents, for example, can cause children to emulate this behavior. A sudden onset of wealth or power can cause acquired situational narcissism. Whenever self-esteem and self-esteem decrease and shame or guilt increase, the conditions are ideal for narcissism to rear its head. The narcissism epidemic is a cultural phenomenon thought to arise from the individual-centered nature of modern society.
It is not clear how big a problem the narcissism epidemic poses. One in four college students identified with traits on a narcissistic personality test. An American study found that one in 16 people surveyed had narcissistic tendencies. The global ramifications of this phenomenon are widespread, affecting both narcissistic people and those who interact with them.
There is no clear answer to the narcissism epidemic. Treatment of narcissism involves psychotherapy. Individual therapy sessions help narcissistic individuals develop a sense of self without having to put others down or focus solely on themselves. Group therapy sessions can help narcissistic people learn to relate to others in healthy ways. Some doctors use medications to help treat narcissism.
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