Throughout our lives we come across hundreds or thousands of people with whom we establish a more or less lasting relationship, be it friendship, work or just cordial. However, these relationships are based on the intentions of both individuals.
There are many people who try to create a relationship with other individuals seeking their own benefit with which to meet their needs. They have in their mind the belief that they are superior to the rest and that, therefore, they deserve more attention.
In this Psychology-Online article we are going to describe these people and how, depending on whether they It is about a disorder or, on the contrary, only a behavior pattern, we must classify What egocentric or narcissistic.
As we find in the Larousse dictionary of psychology, the term egocentrism is the inclination to refer all reality to oneself with contempt for the interests of others. The behaviors of self-centered people are usually rejected by society, so it is not at all unusual to see how people with this personality have to change relationships a great number of times as a result of their way of being.
The narcissism is defined as the devotion to self image. This is a personality disorder itself, the narcissistic personality disorder, not of a trait as such and, it is characterized by selfishness, where people have in mind that everything is allowed to them. People with this disorder require towards themselves a high degree of attention and admiration for the rest of the individuals around them. They lack empathy since they do not care at all for the needs of others. However, as in the egocentric, they have a fragile self-esteem.
The main differences between egocentricity and narcissism are as follows:
1. Disorder vs. feature
Both concepts refer to personality. However, while narcissism is considered a disorder, specifically a personality disorder, self-centeredness is just a personality trait. Therefore, narcissism would be a psychopathological entity, a dysfunctional personality type, while egocentrism are certain behaviors and attitudes that may carry certain consequences, but do not constitute a disorder psychological.
2. The narcissist is self-centered, but not the other way around
Narcissism is composed of a pattern of egocentric behavior, but the person must meet other criteria which will allow its diagnosis as a disorder. However, egocentric behavior can be developed by anyone, not having a disorder, as part of their personality.
3. The narcissist needs the attention of others
A clear difference between the two types of behavior is found in their interpersonal relationships. While a egocentric (as in the case of a hypochondriac person) can reach isolate yourself from society, avoiding any type of contact, with the sole purpose of protecting himself and his health, the person narcissistic he cannot turn away from them, on the contrary, he is going to request much more attention Helping himself with his "illness".
4. The narcissist uses others
While self-centered people focus on themselves but don't have to use others, narcissists do focus on others. They are interested in taking advantage of them, so there is usually manipulation and use on their part.
5. Self-centeredness is normal in childhood
Egocentrism as a trait, that is, as a way of thinking and behaving, is normal in children during a stage of their development. This phase of egocentricity usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 3, when children have not yet developed empathic thinking. At this stage, tantrums are very frequent. Later, infants, through language, learn to understand the point of view of others, to put themselves in their place and to take them into account.
The egocentrism It is a characteristic of those with narcissistic, paranoid and antisocial personalities, since they come to develop aggressive, prideful, and mistrustful behaviors. In turn, it is also found in hypochondriacs, who abandon all interpersonal relationships, focusing on their own hypothetical ills. There are a series of behavioral traits and patterns that define an egocentric:
- Distorted image of yourself. An egocentric person is usually associated with someone with great confidence in himself, however, the reality is just the opposite. An egocentric usually tends to be quite insecureBut they act by projecting high self-confidence in ways that persuade others to think they do. As a result of this low self-esteem, try to compensate for this lack by seeking respect and admiration from others. More in his mind ideas of greatness are created, making him think that he is a possessor of great talents and that for this reason he can only relate to people with high talent as well.
- Distortion of reality. Only accept that reality which fits and is according to your thoughts and perceptions, rejecting any other option of reality that may be detrimental to your image.
- Little empathy. Egocentric people are not very sensitive to what happens to others. He is not able to express feelings and affective gestures towards those around him. However, this collides with the requirement of attention from others who request.
- Hypersensitive to opinions. As a consequence again of their low self-esteem, those self-centered people tend to feel very offended by any kind of criticism And they come to consider the person who has done it as someone with such a low level that he only does it out of envy. However, this is related to their continuous concern to feel valued since they are not able to accept the success of others motivated by the envy they feel towards others.
- Difficulties in interpersonal relationships. They make use of different techniques of manipulation and control so they can get the admiration they want. They are always waiting to be flattered by their actions and, in addition, they hope to be holders of preferential treatment over other individuals. But despite all this, self-centered people are characterized by feeling empty and alone since, little by little they are rejected by the rest of society.
In the following article you will find more information about how to treat a self centered person
To be diagnosed as a narcissistic person, they must meet a series of criteria which can be found in the DSM-V:
- Have feelings of greatness and arrogance (for example, exaggerates your achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without counting on corresponding successes)
- This engrossed in fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty or unlimited ideal love.
- Believe it is "special" and unique, and who can only understand you or can only relate to other people (or institutions) special or high status.
- Has a excessive need for admiration.
- Shows a feeling of privilege (that is, unreasonable expectations of particularly favorable treatment or automatic fulfillment of your expectations).
- Exploits interpersonal relationships (that is, he takes advantage of others for his own purposes).
- Lacks empathy - unwilling to acknowledge or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
- Often he envies others or thinks they are envious of him.
- They show arrogant, superior behavior or attitudes. In the following article you will find How to treat an arrogant and arrogant person.
In the following article you will find more information about and how to treat a narcissist.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
