Relationship between narcissism and suicidality

Narcizam bi se mogao definirati kao sposobnost održavanja pozitivne slike o sebi. Očituje se u obliku normalnog ili patološkog. Normalni narcizam je temelj čovjekova samopoštovanja, zrelog nošenja s emocijama i sposobnosti ostvarivanja kvalitetnih međuljudskih odnosa. U podlozi je potrebe za socijalnim priznanjem i prihvaćanjem te motivacije za napredovanjem. S druge strane, patološki narcizam je obilježen nesposobnošću održavanja zdravog samopoštovanja i posljedične ovisnosti o vanjskim potvrdama vlastite vrijednosti, nesposobnošću regulacije emocija poput srama, zavisti i bijesa te iskorištavajućim pristupom međuljudskim odnosima. Patološki se narcizam, ovisno o otvorenosti ili prikrivenosti grandioznosti, prevladavajućim mehanizmima regulacije samopoštovanja i emocija te načina ophođenja u međuljudskim odnosima dijeli na grandiozni i vulnerabilni narcizam.. Psihičko ustrojstvo patološkog narcizma se temelji na istovremenoj prisutnosti lažne idealne slike sebe u sklopu narcistične grandioznosti, duboko prisutne narcistične vulnerabilnosti obilježene osjećajima srama, bezvrijednosti i inferiornosti te narcističnim obranama koje predstavljaju rigidne i sveobuhvatne mehanizme održavanja navedene dihotomije. Narcistična povreda predstavlja stvarnu ili percipiranu prijetnju samopoštovanju narcističnih osoba. U slučaju doživljavanja narcistične povrede, pad krhkog samopoštovanja rezultira jačanjem osjećaja srama, bezvrijednosti i inferiornosti. Navedeni osjećaji, poglavito sram, pobuđuju narcistični bijes koji može rezultirati agresivnim ponašanjem. Bijes i posljedična agresivnost mogu biti usmjereni prema ugrožavajućim objektima, ali i prema samome subjektu. U slučaju usmjerenosti na subjekt, agresija može rezultirati suicidom. Također, suicid može biti i način osvećivanja objektu. Suicid predstavlja svjesno uzrokovanje vlastite smrti, dok je suicidalnost širi pojam koji obuhvaća čitav spektar suicidalnog ponašanja. U suicidalnost spadaju i suicidalne fantazije koje narcističnim osobama mogu služiti kao jedan od temelja njihovim osjećajima superiornosti i posebnosti u sklopu narcistične grandioznosti. Poznato je i da različite kulture imaju različit utjecaj na povezanost patološkog narcizma i suicidalnosti. Terapija suicidalnih narcističnih bolesnika se temelji na prevenciji suicida u stanjima akutne suicidalnosti te psihoterapiji patološkoga narcizma.Narcissism could be defined as the ability to maintain a positive self-image. It manifests itself in the form of normal or pathological. Normal narcissism is the foundation of a person's self-esteem, mature dealing with emotions and the ability to achieve quality interpersonal relationships. It underlies the need for social recognition and acceptance as well as the motivation for self-improvement. On the other hand, pathological narcissism is characterized by an inability to maintain healthy self-esteem and consequent dependence on external affirmations of self-worth, an inability to regulate emotions such as shame, envy and anger, and an exploitative approach to interpersonal relationships. Pathological narcissism is divided into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, depending on the openness or concealment of grandiosity, the prevailing mechanisms of regulation of self-esteem and emotions and the way of behaving in interpersonal relationships. The psychic structure of pathological narcissism is based on the simultaneous presence of a false ideal image of oneself within narcissistic grandiosity, deeply present narcissistic vulnerability marked by feelings of shame, worthlessness and inferiority and narcissistic defenses that represent rigid and comprehensive mechanisms of maintaining that dichotomy.. Narcissistic injury poses a real or perceived threat to the self-esteem of narcissistic individuals. In the case of experiencing narcissistic trauma, a decline in fragile self-esteem results in a heightened sense of shame, worthlessness, and inferiority. These feelings, especially shame, arouse narcissistic anger that can result in aggressive behavior. Anger and consequent aggression can be directed towards threatening objects, but also towards the subject himself. In the case of targeting the subject, aggression can result in suicide. Also, suicide can be a way of revenge on an object.. Suicide represents the conscious causing of one’s own death, while suicidality is a broader term that encompasses the full spectrum of suicidal behavior. Suicidality also includes suicidal fantasies that can serve as one of the foundations of narcissistic persons' feelings of superiority and uniqueness within narcissistic grandiosity. It is also known that different cultures have different influences on the association of pathological narcissism and suicidality. Therapy of suicidal narcissistic patients is based on suicide prevention in states of acute suicidality and psychotherapy of pathological narcissism