Malignant Narcissism Essay
Psychiatria Danubina, 2010; Vol. 22, No. 3, pp 392–405
© Medicinska naklada - Zagreb, Croatia
Review
MALIGNANT NARCISSISM:
FROM FAIRY TALES TO HARSH REALITY
Mila Goldner-Vukov & Laurie Jo Moore
University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Manaaki House Community Mental Health Service
Auckland District Health Board, 15 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand received: 1.7.2010;
revised: 28.7.2010;
accepted: 31.8.2010
SUMMARY
Introduction: Malignant Narcissism has been recognized as a serious condition but it has been largely ignored in psychiatric literature and research. In order to bring this subject to the attention of mental health professionals, this paper presents a contemporary synthesis …show more content…
Individuals with MN have a tendency to destroy, symbolically castrate, and dehumanise others. Their rage is fuelled by the desire for revenge. They may present with chronic, ego-syntonic suicidal tendencies but this rarely reflects depression. They become suicidal during crises and when, as masters of their own fate, they see suicide as something triumphant (Kernberg
1992).
Paranoid Features
Kernberg (1975) believes the paranoid orientation of
MN may be the basic cause of their self-inflation. The paranoid tendencies in malignant narcissists reflect their projection of unresolved hatred onto others whom they persecute. They have a deep sense of mistrust and view others as enemies/fools or idols, either devaluing or idealizing them. They have disorganised superegos and consequently lack the capacity for remorse, sadness or self-exploration. They are preoccupied with conspiracy theories. Their pathological grandiosity is a defense against paranoid anxiety. Paranoid regression in therapy can lead to episodes of psychosis (Kernberg 1975).
ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
Possible etiological factors in the development of
MN include biological, environmental,
© Medicinska naklada - Zagreb, Croatia
Review
MALIGNANT NARCISSISM:
FROM FAIRY TALES TO HARSH REALITY
Mila Goldner-Vukov & Laurie Jo Moore
University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Manaaki House Community Mental Health Service
Auckland District Health Board, 15 Pleasant View Road, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand received: 1.7.2010;
revised: 28.7.2010;
accepted: 31.8.2010
SUMMARY
Introduction: Malignant Narcissism has been recognized as a serious condition but it has been largely ignored in psychiatric literature and research. In order to bring this subject to the attention of mental health professionals, this paper presents a contemporary synthesis …show more content…
Individuals with MN have a tendency to destroy, symbolically castrate, and dehumanise others. Their rage is fuelled by the desire for revenge. They may present with chronic, ego-syntonic suicidal tendencies but this rarely reflects depression. They become suicidal during crises and when, as masters of their own fate, they see suicide as something triumphant (Kernberg
1992).
Paranoid Features
Kernberg (1975) believes the paranoid orientation of
MN may be the basic cause of their self-inflation. The paranoid tendencies in malignant narcissists reflect their projection of unresolved hatred onto others whom they persecute. They have a deep sense of mistrust and view others as enemies/fools or idols, either devaluing or idealizing them. They have disorganised superegos and consequently lack the capacity for remorse, sadness or self-exploration. They are preoccupied with conspiracy theories. Their pathological grandiosity is a defense against paranoid anxiety. Paranoid regression in therapy can lead to episodes of psychosis (Kernberg 1975).
ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
Possible etiological factors in the development of
MN include biological, environmental,