Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

1012-Understanding & Managing Narcissistic Traits in Yourself and Others

Listen Later
IntroductionUnderstanding Narcissism
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
  • Defined by enduring patterns in cognition, emotional responses, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control.
  • Must be pervasive, stable, and present since adolescence, causing significant impairment in important life areas.
  • Diagnosis requires at least five traits, including grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
  • Narcissistic Behaviors:
  • Not indicative of the disorder but reflect certain attitudes and behaviors that exist on a continuum from healthy to unhealthy.
  • Can manifest in specific settings or situations and are influenced by cultural norms and personal experiences.
    • Causes and Functions of Narcissistic Behaviors
    • Skill Deficits:
    • Low emotional intelligence, poor assertiveness, or communication skills can lead to narcissistic behaviors.
    • Learned behaviors for self-protection, often developed in response to past trauma or environments where survival required self-centeredness.
    • Perception and Interpretation:
    • People with insecure attachment, weak self-esteem, or high rejection sensitivity may misinterpret others' actions as narcissistic.
    • Hypervigilance from past abuse can cause overreactions to benign behaviors.
      • Common Narcissistic Behaviors and Their Roots
      • Self-Centeredness:
      • Often arises from childhood environments where one was made responsible for others' emotions and well-being.
      • Behaviors like believing others need them or that they can succeed alone are rooted in a need for control and safety.
      • Daydreams of Grandiosity:
      • Daydreaming about unrealistic success or recognition can be a sign of unhealthy narcissism when it becomes a substitute for actual achievement.
      • Persistent fantasies of power or beauty can hinder real-life progress and relationships.
      • Sense of Specialness:
      • Believing oneself to be unique and only associating with high-status individuals reflects an inflated sense of self-importance.
      • Can lead to refusing entry-level jobs or being highly judgmental of others, driven by fear of rejection or low self-esteem.
      • Admiration and Rejection Sensitivity:
      • Craving admiration and being hypersensitive to criticism can stem from unstable self-worth and insecure attachment.
      • Such individuals may actively seek out opportunities to showcase their superiority and react poorly when not receiving expected praise.
        • Addressing Narcissistic Behaviors
        • Developing Self-Awareness:
        • Recognizing and reflecting on behaviors that communicate self-importance or entitlement is crucial.
        • Understanding the origins of these behaviors, whether from cultural influences or past traumas, helps in modifying them.
        • Communication and Relationships:
        • Effective communication is key to ensuring needs are met in relationships without resorting to narcissistic behaviors.
        • Setting boundaries and addressing the root causes of narcissistic traits can improve interpersonal dynamics.
        • Practical Strategies:
        • Engage in self-reflection to identify narcissistic tendencies and their impact on others.
        • Seek feedback and practice empathy by considering others' perspectives.
        • Foster secure attachments and healthy self-esteem to reduce the need for external validation and superiority.
          • Conclusion



          Chapters:

          00:00:00 - Everyday narcissism and its impact on behavior

          00:06:27 - The Function of Codependency and Perceived Narcissism

          00:12:50 - Self-centered Behaviors

          00:19:40 - The Importance of Compromise in Relationships

          00:26:23 - Understanding Attachment Trauma and Insecure Attachment Styles

          00:33:13 - Entitlement and Narcissistic Behaviors

          00:41:03 - Narcissistic Behaviors and Lack of Empathy

          00:47:28 - Skills deficits and communication issues

          00:53:58 - Perception and Misinterpretation of Others' Behaviors

          01:00:37 - Softening Narcissistic Behaviors

          Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipesBy Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7

          4.7

          576 ratings

          More shows like Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

          View all
          The Social Work Podcast by Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW

          The Social Work Podcast

          506 Listeners

          The Trauma Therapist by Guy Crawford Macpherson

          The Trauma Therapist

          527 Listeners

          The Psychology Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

          The Psychology Podcast

          1,854 Listeners

          Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

          Therapy Chat

          666 Listeners

          Counselling Tutor by Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes

          Counselling Tutor

          121 Listeners

          Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

          Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

          2,401 Listeners

          Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

          Therapist Uncensored Podcast

          1,373 Listeners

          The Couples Therapist Couch by Shane Birkel

          The Couples Therapist Couch

          255 Listeners

          Attachment Theory in Action by The Knowledge Center

          Attachment Theory in Action

          153 Listeners

          Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast by David Puder, M.D.

          Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

          1,295 Listeners

          Light Up The Couch by Clearly Clinical

          Light Up The Couch

          321 Listeners

          Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

          Therapy in a Nutshell

          504 Listeners

          Trauma Rewired by Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof

          Trauma Rewired

          289 Listeners

          Complex Trauma Recovery by Kina Penelope

          Complex Trauma Recovery

          168 Listeners

          Psychology Unplugged by Dr. Corey J. Nigro

          Psychology Unplugged

          675 Listeners