We have all heard a bittersweet myth about a beautiful boy named Narcissus. So enchanted by his own beauty to face an unfortunate end. However, real-life narcissism has little in common with the ancient Greek mythos. Am I a narcissist? - you may ask yourself one day. And while such an evaluation requires outside opinion, there are certain common traits that we can recognize on our own. And this quiz will help you with the initial assessment.
The Story of Narcissus
Suh excessive selfishness concepts can be traced in many ancient cultures, spurring a variety of myths and legends. However, the most recognized of these is the fable born in Greece. And this very story gave the name to a disorder about 1% of the population suffers from.
In the times of Zeus' might and great heroes, people knew all about life on Olympos. On some occasions, Gods were believed to turn their gaze on the mortals in interest. It may be a burning curiosity to taste life on Earth, or it may be a chance glimpse of captivating beauty. This story is about the letter.
A handsome youth Narcissus caught an interest in a beautiful nymph Echo. Yet, he neglected the Oread and refused all her advances. In retaliation, the nymph enchanted the young man to fall in love with his reflection. Narcissus was left to gaze into a pond, never able to consummate his love. In time, the youth withered away and turned into a beautiful flower that we all know today as a narcissus.
This is a sad story that depicts narcissism as punishment with mythical creatures. In reality, a narcissist is not always a handsome boy who's happened to anger a lady. Though, it should be mentioned that scientific studies show greater narcissism tendencies among men. Here is the source if you want a bit of "light reading" on the topic - source.
The Personality Disorder
Though we may all think of some of our actions as selfish, some self-indulgence on occasion is not the elephant in the room. Narcissism, in its true form, is known as NPD (narcissistic personality disorder). It is characterized as a health condition with the following signs:
grandiosity (inflated self-importance)
lack of empathy
a deep need for excessive attention
selfishness at the expense of others
Narcissism has a broad spectrum of manifestation, and there are different kinds of it. While people usually stereotype narcissists as extroverted people, always the center of attention and very manipulative with its charm, a fair part of narcissists are introverted, hypersensitive, and anxious. This type is also known as covert narcissism. These are merely different shades of the same psychological foundation.
And while there is no magic drug to cure NPD, talk therapy can work wonders to help people change their habits.
In this narcissist quiz, we do not diagnose NPD; we simply determine how many narcissistic signs you exhibit. Please, be sure to consult a specialist if you or your family face the problem.
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