Narcissism is a common phenomenon that we have known for a long time. We usually identify this with someone who is too confident and likes to show off. Even though it sounds trivial, it turns out that at some level this can be categorized as a mental health disorder. Through a webinar in the framework of the 58th Anniversary of FPH UI which was held on Saturday, 24 June 2023, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) thoroughly discussed this narcissistic personality disorder.
Currently, mental disorders are one of the biggest public health problems. A survey conducted by Indonesia – National Adolescent Mental Health (I-NAMHS) shows that 1 (one) out of 3 (three) adolescents in Indonesia experience mental disorders. Narcissistic itself is a Cluster B personality disorder along with borderline, antisocial and histrionic. People who have this disorder are characterized by feelings of grandeur, need for praise/adoration, and a lack of empathy. People with personality disorders often cause suffering to others and themselves, disrupt relationships, and reduce productivity.
Narcissistic personality itself can be something positive if only limited to personality. Individuals with this personality have positive traits that lead to positive self-confidence, independence, and high ambition. Narcissistic behavior will change unnaturally and become a personality disorder or behavioral disorder if carried into adulthood. This can be caused by genetics, neglect, rough treatment, traumatic events, and bad parenting. However, this disorder can only be diagnosed by a health professional with certain standards.
If we find people with this disorder, there are several things we can do, namely validation, ventilation, regulation, and consultation. We also have to be able to manage ourselves when dealing with people with narcissistic personality disorder. “Do the observe but don’t absorb technique. Just describe what he is talking about, without having to include it in ourselves or our lives, said Psychiatrist at the Mental Hospital Dr. H. Marzoeki Mahdi Bogor, dr. Lahargo Kembaren, Sp.KJ. We can invite and guide our friends to consult and get professional treatment if that is what they need.
For ourselves, we must learn to recognize our own feelings and instill in ourselves that all the emotions we feel are valid. This process is indeed something that takes time, is painful, and may be uncomfortable. “There are several tips that can be done for self-healing or self-recognition, namely answering honestly your feelings, recognizing and accepting every emotion, practicing emotional stabilization techniques, taking time for yourself, and avoiding thoughts of regret,” said Behavyours Consultant, Chitra Ananda Mulia, M.Psi.
Overall, we can conclude that narcissism is not intrinsically harmful. However, we need to be aware of the existence of narcissistic personality disorder when we see the signs. (BK)
