When a complex takes over, oh the behavior. But to have one’s worst expression of narcissism be seen again and again in the public media, I cannot imagine the embarrassment. Does a public humiliation really change one’s behavior if they have the disorder? I cannot say for certain except to express that I don’t believe too many true narcissists will commit to the demands of depth psychotherapy to examine their behavior. And we remember in the tale of Narcissus, he fell in obsession with his own reflection and died of unrequited self-love.

When I was a very young clinician I met the esteemed Jungian analyst Dr. Mario Jacoby who lectured one evening in Philadelphia, PA on Individuation and Narcissism. Back then I knew relatively little about narcissism so I asked this kind and scholarly gentleman what engaged him in this topic. What could be the depth of his interest to delve so deeply into the subject of narcissism?

His eyes twinkled; his smile broadened as he responded, “Well, my dear, my own narcissism, of course!” Then he laughed unselfconsciously and patted my hand. I smiled at him realizing in that moment the choice that each of us has to pick our own spots for the expression of that self-centered six year old behavior whether it is an inner or an outer experience!

Mary Jane Hurley Brant, M.S., CGP
Hope and Grief Specialist
Author of When Every Day Matters
Simple Abundance Press, Oct. 1, 2008

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 10:38 am and is filed under Psychology, General News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.