subject: Narcissism and its Causes [print this page] Narcissism and its Causes Narcissism and its Causes
No one knows clearly what causes Narcissism in people but many theories have been developed to throw light on the subject. While many believe that children who have over bearing parents who feel the need to pamper their children beyond imagination and make them feel superior, better than other tend to suffer from Narcissism more often; others also believe that children who have suffered neglect and abuse are more prone to this personality disorder.
The fact that both theories have in common is that Narcissism takes root in the mind of a person right from childhood. Sometimes a child who has undergone trauma finds it very difficult to deal with the situation. Further neglect from family or lack of having one, drives the child towards being so emotionally disconnected with the world and so self involved that he or she starts on the path of Narcissism. By early adulthood, this disorder has taken root in the mind of an individual who is prone and the symptoms become quite clear.
While many scientists are of the belief that Narcissism could be part genetic, for most part this personality disorder is a learned pattern which occurs due to instances and occurrences during early childhood. Many parents who have narcissistic tendencies themselves tend to build walls around the child, shield him or her from the world and ingrain the thought that the child is superior or special. Coupled with abnormally high expectations that the child has believed are normal since childhood, he or she also turns into a Narcissist. These parents are overly critical, mostly judgemental and very demanding and thus, make the child believe that this kind of behaviour is normal. Curing such patients who have no notion of a world beyond this behaviour is quite challenging. At the same mind, it is quite difficult for such patients who have suffered from Narcissism from childhood to ever have long meaningful relationships with normal people.
