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In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn explores the nature of grandiosity in pathological narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), emphasizing that grandiose self-states are distortions that mask underlying vulnerability. He examines how these states emerge, why they are so compelling, and how they become self-reinforcing through positive feedback loops.
Dr. Ettensohn also discusses the hidden instability beneath grandiosity, the interpersonal consequences of maintaining a distorted self-image, and the trauma-based origins of grandiose narcissistic armor. Drawing on the work of Ernst Wolf and real-world examples, he offers a compassionate yet clear-eyed look at how grandiosity functions as both protection and prison—and how growth is possible even after years of wearing the armor.
By Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D.4.7
4444 ratings
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn explores the nature of grandiosity in pathological narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), emphasizing that grandiose self-states are distortions that mask underlying vulnerability. He examines how these states emerge, why they are so compelling, and how they become self-reinforcing through positive feedback loops.
Dr. Ettensohn also discusses the hidden instability beneath grandiosity, the interpersonal consequences of maintaining a distorted self-image, and the trauma-based origins of grandiose narcissistic armor. Drawing on the work of Ernst Wolf and real-world examples, he offers a compassionate yet clear-eyed look at how grandiosity functions as both protection and prison—and how growth is possible even after years of wearing the armor.

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