Episode 2.4: Narcissism - "You Probably Think This Episode Is About You."

Q: What do President Trump and daffodils have in common?  

A: They've both been called the name of a Greek myth.  

It seems that we hear about Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder all the time these days, especially as an accusation, but what does being called "a Narcissist" really even mean? 

To investigate this idea, we go back to Freud – of course. But we also bring in our friend from Season 1, Heinz Kohut, and our first actual living psychoanalytic theorist, Otto Kernberg! We also take a tour through the ancient myths of the original self-centered chap, Narcissus, and on the way we encounter the Goddess of Vengeance, visit the Budapest School, wrestle the Pathologic Grandiose Self monster and come to rest at the Reservoir of Self-Esteem. 

Whether you are dealing with a difficult boss, an obstinate adolescent, or are being accused of narcissism yourself, the lessons of this episode will help us remember what our mothers (and Ru Paul!) always told us...