The best way to describe narcissism is to recall the mythic and instructive tale of Narcissus. Narcissus grew to be so fascinated by his own appearance, his beauty and grace, that he could not view the world around him and grew misshapen. He was not unable to separate what was important to him from what may have been about him, but important to someone else, for instance. it was not something he could relate to, because it was not focused solely on him, which is where the center of his world lay. And you are right, I think, that the real number of population of co-morbid or “close but no cigar” narcissists is MUCH higher than a few percent. But the 1% number is probably good for the pure, pathological NPD.
That particular set of apparent symptoms is co-morbid, present along with many other disorders and is therefore often misdiagnosed. Many Alcoholics are narcissistic; some professionals in the field (it is especially heartbreaking in addictions) have a difficult time separating them. A dual diagnosis patient is monstrously hard to treat, especially with a borderline personality disorder, which I think is what people are detecting with Mr. Cruz. It is not an awful thing, but quite stubborn, especially if it is seemingly successful. It can sometimes be useful too; many therapists share that particular set of affects.
One of the most successful treatments for psychological disorders in history is AA. One of the fascinating things about it is the concept of “ego deflation at depth” for the addict to be able to see what is happening around him. Unfortunately for many, the underlying NPD or borderline disorder, will reclaim them eventually, in respect to the addiction, if undiagnosed and treated. Which, believe it or not, is in fact possible, with qualified results.
At any rate, there are high functioning borderline personalities and other disorders that can often be so closely engaged that separating and treating them is almost more an art form than a psychological process. I understand the feelings that NPD can produce, but I don’t share the “just scrape the off” attitude towards them that many therapists share.
There is a lot of help that can be offered. Many of the high functioning borderline and ND personalities can become big celebrities and politicians, successful entrepreneurs and musicians. Primarily, solo endeavors that have them at the center of their little universe with everything revolving around them. They are a specialty treatment group to be sure.
There is no doubt about pathology with many politicians and you are correct, they are debate stoppers. Ironically, the very people that will feed off this attention, negative or not, are the stand out NPD like Hillary (”What difference, now, does it make?”) Clinton. Se really did not understand what difference it made and produced one of her famous outbursts, because it was the threat to her narcissistic core that compelled her to stage the outburst to deflect criticism.
She is so ruthless, she may be one of the most clinically deranged (impossible to tell what that particular stew of symptoms might be concealing) and dangerous politicians we have seen in recent history. God help us if we get saddled with her.
google or bing: "norma asnes" "linda tripp" if you want to scare yourself.
Very good posting at your #44.
I posted before reading the thread that I felt the definition of NPD matched Trump. .....After reading through the postings, I have pulled back from that and will just say he is narcissistic instead of NPD.
That “what difference does it make” outburst was NOT spontaneous. She rehearsed that, and had it all prepared for that moment when she would need to disrupt the questioning.