Narcissism and social sentiment

Abstract

The patient's intention is often to find a confidant in the therapist, who at the same time also looks at them with wonder. In this particular transference, some elements of their childhood are found, especially those of a narcissistic nature. The appreciation of others (in this case, the therapist replacing parental figures) is therefore a central theme in therapy, capable of reactivating childhood desires, particularly those experienced in the relationship with one's mother. In narcissistic patients, therapy leads to the realization of the ideal self, made possible by a lack of sufficiently developed social feelings, the purpose of which is precisely to avoid the depression that comes from not being recognized. Narcissistic behavior is therefore understood in this article as a developmental disturbance of social feelings