Self-love as opposed to object-love (love of another person). To be distinguished from egotism, which carries the connotation of self-centeredness, selfishness, and conceit. Egotism is but one expression of narcissism. Revisions in psychoanalytic theory (self psychology) have viewed the concept of narcissism in less pathological terms.
Excessive self-love. Sexual excitement through admiration of one’s own body.
In psychiatry, a personality disorder in which someone has a very confident opinion about their own appearance and abilities, and a great need to be admired by other people. It sometimes involves sexual interest in their own body.
Abnormal interest in oneself, especially one’s body; self-love; in psychoanalytic theory, sexual self- interest, normal in young children but abnormal in adults.
A personality pattern characterized by self-centeredness, grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. In its extreme form, narcissism becomes a mental illness known as narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissistic individuals have a grandiosely inflated sense of their own importance and engage in fantasies of unlimited success, power, or beauty. They consider themselves superior and expect others to recognize them as such, demand excessive admiration, take advantage of or exploit others, and lack concern for the feelings or concerns of people around them. Often envious or believing themselves the objects of envy, narcissists behave in ways that are snobbish, arrogant, or patronizing. Narcissism may be a defense mechanism against vulnerability and low self-esteem. This personality pattern is named after Narcissus, a figure from classical mythology who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water.
Excessive self-regard, with or without some rational basis. In Freudian terms it is a state in which the ego has taken itself as a love object. Some degree of narcissism is present in most individuals, but when it is shown to an extreme degree it may be a symptom of schizophrenia, personality disorder, and other conditions.
An abnormal mental state characterized by excessive admiration of one’s self. In Greek mythology, Narcissus so loved staring at his own reflection in water that he eventually fell in and drowned.
Profound self-admiration. A narcissistic personality disorder is marked by an inflated perception of one’s significance, persistent desire for attention or admiration, incapability to handle critique or failure, and strained interpersonal connections. Individuals with this disorder view themselves as distinct, extraordinary, and superior to others; furthermore, they might lack empathy for others’ well-being or challenges.
Self-love. In psychoanalysis, it refers to an adult continuing a stage that’s typically seen in infantile psychosexual development, where the child is infatuated with itself. The concept is named after Narcissus from Greek mythology, who became enamored with his own reflection.