The Depressive Narcissist
Many scholars consider pathological narcissism to be a form of depressive illness. This is the position of the authoritative magazine "Psychology Today". The life of the typical narcissist is, indeed, punctuated with recurrent bouts of dysphoria (ubiquitous sadness and hopelessness), anhedonia (loss of the ability to feel pleasure), and clinical forms of depression (cyclothymic, dysthymic, or other). This picture is further obfuscated by the frequent presence of mood disorders, such as Bipolar I (co-morbidity).While the distinction between reactive (exogenous) and endogenous depression is obsolete, it is still useful in the context of narcissism. Narcissists react with depression not only to life crises but to fluctuations in Narcissistic Supply.The narcissist's personality is disorganised and precariously balanced.
He regulates his sense of self-worth by consuming Narcissistic Supply from others. Any threat to the uninterrupted flow of said supply compromises his psychological integrity and his ability to function. It is perceived by the narcissist as life threatening.I. Loss Induced DysphoriaThis is the narcissist's depressive reaction to the loss of one or more Sources of Narcissistic Supply ? or to the disintegration of a Pathological Narcissistic Space (PN Space, his stalking or hunting grounds, the social unit whose members lavish him with attention).II. Deficiency Induced DysphoriaDeep and acute depression which follows the aforementioned losses of Supply Sources or a PN Space.
Having mourned these losses, the narcissist now grieves their inevitable outcome ? the absence or deficiency of Narcissistic Supply. Paradoxically, this dysphoria energises the narcissist and moves him to find new Sources of Supply to replenish his dilapidated stock (thus initiating a Narcissistic Cycle).III. Self-Worth Dysregulation DysphoriaThe narcissist reacts with depression to criticism or disagreement, especially from a trusted and long-term Source of Narcissistic Supply. He fears the imminent loss of the source and the damage to his own, fragile, mental balance. The narcissist also resents his vulnerability and his extreme dependence on feedback from others.
This type of depressive reaction is, therefore, a mutation of self-directed aggression.IV. Grandiosity Gap DysphoriaThe narcissist's firmly, though counterfactually, perceives himself as omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, brilliant, accomplished, irresistible, immune, and invincible. Any data to the contrary is usually filtered, altered, or discarded altogether. Still, sometimes reality intrudes and creates a Grandiosity Gap. The narcissist is forced to face his mortality, limitations, ignorance, and relative inferiority.
He sulks and sinks into an incapacitating but short-lived dysphoria.V. Self-Punishing DysphoriaDeep inside, the narcissist hates himself and doubts his own worth. He deplores his desperate addiction to Narcissistic Supply. He judges his actions and intentions harshly and sadistically. He may be unaware of these dynamics ? but they are at the heart of the narcissistic disorder and the reason the narcissist had to resort to narcissism as a defence mechanism in the first place.This inexhaustible well of ill will, self-chastisement, self-doubt, and self-directed aggression yields numerous self-defeating and self-destructive behaviours ? from reckless driving and substance abuse to suicidal ideation and constant depression.It is the narcissist's ability to confabulate that saves him from himself.
His grandiose fantasies remove him from reality and prevent recurrent narcissistic injuries. Many narcissists end up delusional, schizoid, or paranoid. To avoid agonising and gnawing depression, they give up on life itself..
Hormone Replacement Therapy - Making the Decision
Copyright 2006 Anne Wolski
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to alleviate the irritating effects of female menopause by replacing the estrogen which was previously produced by the ovaries. An oral dose of hormones are given to take the place of the hormones which was once produced naturally.
This is a natural part of life for all women as the ovaries stop working and therefore the natural secretion of estrogen ceases. The decline and eventual cessation of estrogen secretion by the ovaries, or to be more exact, the ovarian follicles, is responsible for menopause (the change of life).
When the secretion of estrogen fails, there are various effects on the body. First the monthly periods stop. Then the woman may experience hot flashes and night sweats.
The woman may also experience significant discomfort as the mucous membrane of the vagina atrophies, making it dryer and thinner.
Another common problem after menopause is...
Depression > Hormone Replacement Therapy - Making the Decision
Do You Wake Up at 2 am? Is it Depression? Or is it...?
Do You Wake Up at 2 am? Is it Depression? Or is it...?Has this happened to you? You go to sleep easily, but 2 amcomes around and your eyes pop open. You're totally awake,but you know you need more sleep. You look at the clock andgroan - you have to be up at 5 am to get ready for work, andyou know you'll be groggy, irritable, and fuzzy-brained ifyou can't get back to sleep.Your mind searches for the reason why you can't sleep. Yougo over your recent fight with your husband, word for word,over and over. Or you agonize over the poor grade you got onthat test.
You may discover problems you didn't even knowyou had - not enough time to yourself, too much stress, toolittle respect from your family or coworkers.The negative thoughts charge on, and you stay wide awake.Is it depression? Is it stress? Do you need sleeping pills,or anti-depressants?Maybe. But before you begin medicating yourself, try thissimple experiment. Don't eat any sugar for a week, and don'tdrink any alcohol after 5...
Do You Wake Up at 2 am? Is it Depression? Or is it...?
Depression > Do You Wake Up at 2 am? Is it Depression? Or is it...?
HS-USA Hosts 3rd Annual Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conference - Pain Management and Depression
Seattle, WA (ContentDesk) May 23, 2006 -- Hidradenitis Suppurativa patients know that this disease is not just skin-deep. Pain and depression are a constant in their lives. HS-USA is proud to host the 3rd Annual HS Conference in beautiful Seattle, exploring new options to improve the lives of those afflicted with HS.Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), also known as Acne Inversa (AI), is a non-contagious, recurrent disease affecting inverse areas of the body. It typically manifests itself as painful, clusters of continuously seeping boil-like abscesses. HS is a shameful and debilitating disease and most patients go undiagnosed for years.
The cause is currently not known and there is no cure. Many doctors are unable to diagnose the disease and the treatments most commonly used are the least effective and can even be harmful. (See What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa for...
HS-USA Hosts 3rd Annual Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conference - Pain Management and Depression
Depression > HS-USA Hosts 3rd Annual Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conference - Pain Management and Depression
Your Health
How are you?
Are you OK?
Do you feel all right?
These are the simple questions that could be asked in order to determine basic health condition of a person.
The lowest level of a good health could be maintained by prevention of simple chronic diseases (like
) and muscle-skeletal injuries.
Basic advice is to stay away from sicknesses of any kind, especially the one that are the chronic one and could be prevented, plus it is nice if you don't break your bones and pull your muscles every other week.
In order to step higher from basic level you need to consider your spiritual well-being.
Spiritual condition can be affected by many factors like problems at work/school, conflicts with family/peers, low self esteem, depression, dissatisfaction of surrounding conditions or simply dissatisfaction with your own body.
All these factors can ruin your spiritual well-being and affect your health.
So the...
Depression > Your Health
How to Prevent Suicide
A British weapon's inspector was found dead in the woods after he slashed his wrist. For the past few weeks, he was entangled with a controversy about the war in Iraq. On Monday, a Hyundai executive leaped to his death from the 12th floor. He was on trial for allegedly paying off North Korea $100 million to agree to a 2000 summit between North and South Korea.In both urban and rural areas, many more suicide cases do not go unnoticed. Through local papers and the town's rumor mills, suicide becomes a sad tale and a mystery.
Why would people kill themselves? Recent studies have shown the correlation between suicide and serotonin deficiency in the brain. Moreover, the presence of significant stress has far-reaching consequences especially if such stressor, such as legal entanglements, results in profound hopelessness and depression. Frequently, when there is no immediate resolution to the problem, suicide becomes an attractive escape.It then becomes obvious that suicide is not only...
How to Prevent Suicide
Depression > How to Prevent Suicide
Your Health
How are you?
Are you OK?
Do you feel all right?
These are the simple questions that could be asked in order to determine basic health condition of a person.
The lowest level of a good health could be maintained by prevention of simple chronic diseases (like
) and muscle-skeletal injuries.
Basic advice is to stay away from sicknesses of any kind, especially the one that are the chronic one and could be prevented, plus it is nice if you don't break your bones and pull your muscles every other week.
In order to step higher from basic level you need to consider your spiritual well-being.
Spiritual condition can be affected by many factors like problems at work/school, conflicts with family/peers, low self esteem, depression, dissatisfaction of surrounding conditions or simply dissatisfaction with your own body.
All these factors can ruin your spiritual well-being and affect your health.
So the...
Depression > Your Health
Depression
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