Narcissism – attraction to oneself and preoccupation with one’s own body. According to the theory of S. Freud, narcissism is part of normal personality development. At the first stage of development, called «primary narcissism», the child focuses on satisfying their own needs and on themselves. However, in normal development this attraction is gradually overcome, and the person becomes capable of loving and caring for others.
In the case of narcissistic personality disturbances, narcissism can become a dominant aspect of personality. People with pronounced narcissism may have strong self-love, vanity, and a low capacity for empathy toward others. They may seek constant attention and approval from those around them and expect special treatment.
The term "narcissism" is also used in modern psychology and psychiatry to describe certain personality traits and personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is characterized by marked narcissism and a lack of empathy.
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