Photo Credit: Francisco Osorio, Creative Commons In fact, many researchers are calling it an epidemic. Those who struggle with narcissism have a grandiose sense of the self. They believe they are special, entitled, and deserve more than everyone else around them. They take actions to better themselves, their bodies, and their egos. Ironically, narcissists, who seem to be caught in a inextricable web of self-absorption, may also struggle immensely with insecurity, anxiety, depression, violence, and self-loathing at times. This is both an individual and cultural disease. Just scrolling through social media posts shows our self-absorption is run amuck. But there may be an antidote. Hearing the story of another human, and deeply listening to that story, is an act of compassion, altruism, and love. To truly hear a story is an act of empathy. Neurological studies show that altruism is actually a biological response, hard-wired into the brain. In fact, acts of generosity, empathy, or altruism light up a primitive part of the brain that is usually associated with pleasurable actions like eating good food or sex. They might actually cure narcissism. Ironically, in combating narcissism through empathy, the individual who has long suffered from narcissism actually secures the greatest win—a pleasurable biological response—when focused on others. A cure for their narcissism. We all win when we listen and act. Raising our voices for health and hope for others means better health and hope for everyone. There has not been a lot of research surrounding parents who are narcissist, but enough to help me realize where my unhealthy habits, and thoughts toward myself, came from. Narcissism is a spectrum and there is no cure. My father is a narcissist. He is sick, not just self centered, and it has destroyed his family and other relationships. I agree that when we start to focus too much on ourselves, it helps to put others first, but that is not the cure for narcissism. Its a mental disease, not just some self-absorbed state of mind. I honestly think there is a cure though. Example: Narcissist empathetically gaslights; you sociopathically tell the truth. Your delivery, passion and how refined your critical thinking skills determine how affective this is. Everybody believed my false self but one person wrote something on internet about me and I was crushed. But what should happen after that, is to help the narcissist build a normal self. If that not happens, the N is destined to death, sooner or later. Thanks for the awareness. Two ENTIRELY different things, two ENTIRELY different approaches to care. As in, there are folks who have been terribly abused and traumatized by and healed from through lots of therapy and the miracle-working power of Jesus and the loving support of a close network folks with NPD. Just want to be sure the distinction is clear. This confused me for the past 5years. There are different levels…So if my husband is on the borderline level not physically killing lives , i would feel so horrible for abandoning someone that needs help and love. Though feels very long. He sees no wrong with the detrimental hurt and pain he caused and can just walk away. I am left now with all the broken pieces trying to put myself back together for my kids and I. I was just used like an ap
