Do you or someone you know have an inflated or grandiose sense of themselves? Do you, or others you know, think perhaps that you are special, unique, and entitled to better treatment than others?
Then perhaps you are part of the narcissism epidemic. According to Twenge and Campbell in The Narcissism Epidemic. The narcissism epidemic is happening at both the individual and cultural levels all around the developed world.
Narcissism is increasing and the book points out that there are many more highly narcissistic people now than just a decade or two ago. It would appear highly likely that cultures are changing too. Increases in materialism, entitlement, public violence and aggression, self-promotion, and the desire for uniqueness are typical symptoms.
Some specific changes include an increase in: plastic surgery rates; credit card debt; the use of "my" in web addresses; the larger size of personal homes; reality TV shows; narcissistic song lyrics; and the fake paparazzi who can now be hired to experience what it’s like to be famous.
It is interesting to consider that the current economic crisis was, in part, caused by overconfidence and greed which are both key components of narcissism. The global rebellion of ‘Occupy’ is a reaction to the greed of the wealthy with the emphasis on ‘what about me’. Narcissism at both ends of the wealth continuum!
The costs of narcissism are high. As societies become more narcissistic there is an accompanying higher level of depression and disconnection.
Many great philosophers and leaders have highlighted a paradox: we have more meaningful lives when we focus on the needs of others and take the emphasis off ourselves. It is a concerning trend that whole cultures are becoming more narcissistic . Narcissism is likely to become an insidious value of society, an addictive trait that might be so powerful that we become blind to its impact on our true well-being.
Could we ever consider that we are just normal not special? That we are no better –or worse than others? Perhaps as the book suggests, we need to consider teaching our children not that "You have to love yourself before you can love others,” but rather you will be the happiest when you love others “If you love yourself too much, you won’t have enough love left for anyone else!”
Live! Love! Laugh!
Roz Townsend www.roztownsend.com
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