Narcisismo: dagli intrecci narrativi alla clinica del legame di coppia

In the present work we considered the most important “narrative plots” (i.e., the theories) and diagnostic procedures provided by the manuals (i.e., DSM and PDM) in order to outline the distinctive feature of narcissism: The other cannot be seen and recognized, so that the bond with the origins is denied and the Self is perversely considered as self-sufficient and self-determined. The causes of narcissism should be conceptualized in terms of deficits of internalization within the Self-Other relationship, which might determine the externalization of pain and anxiety into the social context through continuous complaints, envy, and contempt. On the basis of the concept of contemporary narcissism developed by Cesareo and Vaccarini (2012), we provided an analysis of the current socio-cultural scenario. We also examined the effects of narcissism on the couple relationship from a clinical perspective, which is the main topic of the present work.