Narcissism Within The Whitehouse

Thursday, March 22, 2007
Yesterday evening, I sat watching one of the numerous criminal investigative television shows, you know, one that does profiling of criminals, and I had to bust out in laughter as the actor profiled the perp. He profiled the perp as an extreme narcissist, that displayed narcissistic personality disorder. It was uncanny at the similarities to President’ George W. Bush. I went through several mental heath sites and compiled some interesting facts to share with everyone.
Someone who suffers from Narcissistic Personality disorder (NPD) has at least 5 of the following characteristics:

1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

3. Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

4. Requires excessive admiration

5. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially
favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

6. Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or
her own ends

7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs
of others

8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts. Five (or more) of the following criteria must be met:
• Feels grandiose and self-important (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
• Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist), bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion
• Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions)
• Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation - or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious (narcissistic supply)
• Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favorable priority treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her expectations
• Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or her own ends
• Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or acknowledge the feelings and needs of others
• Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about him or her
• Arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes coupled with rage when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted

It definitely explains the events of the last 6 years as well as the time as governor of Texas. Just something to think about, maybe make one say “hmmmmm”.