Eli5: difference between a full blown narcissist vs someone with just self esteem issues?
In: Other
Narcissism is a personality disorder marked by grandiosity (sense of superiority over other people), need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Not only do narcissists have a very fragile self-esteem, they also disregard the needs and feelings of other people. They tend to think that “the world revolves around them”. For instance, they may assume that they don’t have to wait in line because their priorities are so much more important than everyone else’s. **In other words, they have a completely unrealistic view of their own importance in other people’s lives.**
In contrast, people with self-esteem issues often have average or above average empathy and a more realistic sense of their importance in the world. Regardless of their own issues with their self-esteem, they recognize that other people’s feelings matter.
That’s the gist of it. If you’re interested in more specific details, according to the DSM-5, narcissistic personality disorder is indicated by five or more of the following criteria:
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.
I hope this helps!
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