Sigmund Freud is an Australian neurologist who has contributed a lot to Psychology. He developed some new therapy techniques focusing more on talk therapy. Freud explains Narcissism as an object of adoration and sexual arousal manifested in the ego and libido. A narcissist is characterized by intense self-love and contempt for others. Narcissism is a personality trait that differs from one person to another and can work against or for oneself. In this paper, the impact of Freud on Narcissism will be discussed.
Freud examines two types of Narcissism: primary Narcissism and secondary Narcissism. Primary Narcissism appears to be a trait shared by all persons beginning at birth. In this type, an individual’s libido is directed to objects (Freud & Hoopla 2014). For instance, kids spend a lot of time licking their thumbs. In growth, this is essential since it provides an important stage of self–image.
Secondary Narcissism occurs once the order of signifiers has been genitalized and invested in important traces but is no longer self-erotical: the individual invests in that physical body part as something attractive to others. In this phase of development, the object-libido is demonstrated in the state of being in love, when an individual tends to relinquish their personality in favor of the other subject (Freud & Hoopla 2014). As a result of trying to impress the people around them, they suffer from low self-esteem. Nevertheless, they suffer from depression and anxiety, embarrassment and relationship difficulties.
Nevertheless, Freud believes Narcissism has several causes like libido and a desire for oneself preservation. He maintains that such needs are the same throughout childhood and cannot be distinguished (Freud 1991). Having said that, Freud demonstrates that this state of ecstasy appears to be unattainable since humans appear to personify each object to fulfill their sexual and emotional demands. Because of this, Freud claims the personal love of objects could represent the insufficiency behind the egos. Such a situation occurs when one fails to acquire their desires. They tend to direct their negative energy towards different things, for instance, to guide their passions to their lovers.
A perfect example is when a person diagnosed with neurosis need to regain narcissistic satisfaction by redirecting all their passions to materials that meet the desires of their optimal ego (Freud 1991). In such cases, the patient skips treatment because they have identified something that comforts or meets their heart’s desires and helps to build their narcissistic satisfaction. Therefore, the connection and availability of that material seem therapeutic to such individuals. Nevertheless, this type of therapy affects the patient to the extent of being obsessive to their partner.
Freud’s classification of Narcissism into primary and secondary has greatly boosted hospitals’ expertise in identifying the narcissistic nature of their clients and how to develop a successful and effective therapy for them. For instance, in primary Narcissism, one directs his affections and passions towards specific objects. Providing them with whatever makes them happy works as therapy since it helps them regain their love. In secondary Narcissism, individuals direct their devotion towards the people they love, such as their immediate families or companions. However, once they truly find the people they love, they will be obsessive, which allows them to regain their lost Narcissism.
References
Freud, S. (1991). The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud: Vol. 4. London: The Hogarth Press.
Freud, S., & Hoopla, D. (2014). On narcissism: an introduction. United States: White Press
Huxley, E, & Bizumic, B. (2016) Parental Invalidation and the Development of Narcissism. The Journal of Psychology,150(130-147) DOI 10.1080/00223980.2016.1248807.
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