20. What is a Narcissist?

Hey, Survivor! In today's show, I share my definition of a narcissist.  The DSM-5 offers a list of diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder, including: lack of identity or sense of self, grandiosity, a sense of entitlement, lack of empathy or compassion, lack of intimacy, antagonistic, attention-seeking, inability to self-regulate.  There's some overlap with other personality disorders, like borderline.  This is based on a pathological, or disease-based model, as opposed to a holistic, or salutogenic model.  Everyone has a back story, including the narcissist in your life, which can provide more insights into why they behave the way that they do.  Hint:  It may have something to do with what has happened to them over the course of their lifetime.  Regardless, there are some whose baseline of operation in the world is more destructive to others.  And narcissists are going to go through a cycle of love bombing, devaluation, discarding, and hoovering, in any relationship they're involved in.  So, it's important to understand who and what you're dealing with, and evaluate how you're being treated, so that you can decide if an individual or relationship aligns with your core values and goals, or if it's detrimental to your health and well being. If you, or someone you know, thinks they may be dealing with a narcissist , this episode is for you.   Know who you're dealing with.  Know who you are. 💚Lesley    Let's connect on IG!  Share today's episode & tag me @thevibrantsurvivor Join my Facebook community here. Contact: [email protected]