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Therapy for Narcissistic Abuse
'Narcissism' and 'Narcissistic abuse' are terms that have been gaining a great amount of traction in recent years, but it remains a topic that is often misunderstood.
What is a Narcissist?
It is important to point out that Narcissism occurs on a spectrum and not everyone displaying narcissistic traits has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). It is believed that between 1-5 % of the UK population is a Narcissist, and only a small number engage in therapy or other types of treatment to address this.
Put simply, a Narcissist is an individual who doesn't have the capacity to empathise with others; they are instead immensely self obsessed, have excessive feelings of self importance and need constant attention and admiration. Interestingly however, they are often driven by a deep sense of insecurity (Durvasula 2021). Many of us experience insecurity, but Narcissists have very limited awareness of the extent to which this insecurity fuels their behaviour towards others.
Are there different types of Narcissism?
There are different branches of Narcissism, however the two most well known types would be Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism.
Grandiose Narcissists have a desire to be the centre of attention; they expect special treatment, cannot tolerate criticism and often lie to have their needs met. They can appear very charming initially, but often use their charm to dominate and manipulate. The Vulnerable Narcissist, on the other hand, lacks this 'charming' aspect; they often feel unsure of themselves, feel envious of others, and may struggle with depression or anxiety. Both the Grandiose and Vulnerable narcissist have a lack of empathy towards others. It is important to remember that individuals can have character traits that fit into both types.
People with narcissist behaviour often have a profound effect on people around them which can lead to lasting consequences. It can leave you lacking self-esteem and even feeling as though you have no voice, and no sense of identity. If you have suffered at the hands of a narcissist; whether this be an ex-partner, parent, friend, or even work colleague, please get in touch for help.